How to start a stopped mechanical watch
Short answer: A mechanical watch that has stopped usually just needs winding. Hand-wound watches are wound with the crown; automatics can be wound the same way or by wearing them.
How real watches do it
| Longines Master Collection Moonphase (calibre L899) | About 30 crown turns. |
|---|---|
| Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Moonphase Date (FC-335) | About 10 turns, then wear it. |
| Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional — steel, Hesalite | Wind until firm. Lasts about 50 hours. |
| Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon | Self-winding. A few turns if unworn for over 60 hours. |
| Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon (calibre 925) | A few turns. The crown doesn't lock when full. |
See it drawn button by button, with today's moon for your location.Open the interactive guide →
Start a stopped watch on most watches: 1 steps
Crown positions are numbered 1 / 2 / 3, from pushed in to fully out.
- 1
Wind it
Crown in. 20–40 turns forwards. Hand-wound watches stop at full wind, so don't force it.
More model-specific guides
Other complications
Sources
- LONGINES calibre L899 instruction manual (manufacturer PDF)
- FREDERIQUE CONSTANT FC-330/335 manual (manufacturer PDF, Japanese)
- OMEGA user manual 310.30.42.50.01.001 (cal. 3861, manufacturer PDF)
- OMEGA operating instructions — all calibres (manufacturer PDF)
- JAEGER-LECOULTRE Master Ultra Thin Moon, calibre 925 manual (manufacturer PDF)