Does stem ***** in or just stay the way it is after setting?

• Setting an Elgin stem-set pocket watch. Pull the stem out of the crown at the 12 o'clock position of an Elgin stem-set pocket watch. Rotate the stem clockwise to move the hands to the correct hour and minute. Depress the stem and wind the crown to keep the watch running.

Changing the date for the FT500WVB watch is easy. Just pull out the stem of the watch to its first stop. Then turn the stem counter clockwise a couple of twists and the displayed date will increment (that is increase) by one day and you will hear a little click. Keep twisting the stem counterclockwise and the date will increase by one each time with a little click. Stop when you reach the correct date and push the stem back in to its fully seated rest position. Note- be careful not to change the date when the watch displays a time between 9pm and 1 am as setting the date in this time range may cause the watch to increment the date at noon rather than midnight.

Note also that if you want to set the time you just pull out the stem to its second stop position and twist the stem to advance the position of the hands of the watch. Then when the time is set, push the stem back in to its lowest rest position. So remember- first stem stop sets the date and second stem stop sets the time. That's it.

Seiko watches from this period should have a setting stem that pull out half-way and fully. Pulling the stem out fully permits you to set the time. Pulling the stem out half-way should let you set the date by moving the crown forward/clockwise and set the day of the week by moving the crown backward/counterclockwise.

However, for this to work correctly, the watch must have the correct set stem. I have worked with a number of watches, including Seikos, where a generic stem was substituted after someone accidentally pulled out the crown and stem (Seiko replacement parts can be tough to find in the U.S., especially for discontinued models). If an incorrect stem has been installed, the day/date setting procedure I've just described may no longer work correctly. At that point, setting the date involves advancing the hands to get to the right date; day of the week may not be able to be set at all.

Good luck!

There is a small hole next to the stem insertion point on the movement (or groove) where you can see the tiny piece of metal. This is setting lever and it holds stem in place. Take fine pointed tweezers and push and hold on it (in hole or in the groove). Stem will come out while setting lever is pushed down only. In some watches setting lever is fixed by screw,so, you have to unscrew it and then withdraw stem.

mcdevito 75 here, you should be able to get a finger nail just under the stem to lift the stem to set the time, day/date, first be sure the stem isn"t a screwdown type, gasp the stem and turn it to see, if it is a screwdown type, simply un-screw the stem then pull it out to set the time, day/date. If all fails your local or any jeweler can help.

mcdevito75 here, Look for a small watch repair shop in your area for adjustment, don"t force the stem into any position, chances are it just needs an adjustment a watch maker can make.

the 3200 model was one of the sturdiest models Luminox has ever made...the crown is not too expensive to replace and unless the threads on the case tube are bad or there is water damage it would be worth repairing IMHO

Sounds like the setting lever has disengaged from the stem detent. If you can remove the back off the case you may be able to reengage it. Look for either a small silver coloured pin or screw adjacent to the winding stem. If it's a pin use a sharpened match stick or similar and depress while pressing crown back in. If it's a screw - back the screw off about 1 1/2 to 2 turns, press crown back in and tighten screw again. Check operation of winder in all positions before replacing case back.

I used to sell Skagen watches,don't know excatly which watch you have . I even went to their web site and couldn't find it. Most Skagens ( unless they are a chronograph with the three curcles on the dial) works like this: Your watch stem has 3 differant settings #1 all the way in #2 half way out , and #3 all the way out . To set the time you pull the stem all the way out and adjust the time. To set the date,pull the stem all the way out and turn untill the date changes ( this will make sure you have it on am-pm correctly) then put the hands at 6 o'clock. Put the stem all the way back in, then pull the stem half-way out. Start with the stem all the way in and slowly pull it out and you will feel the "click" when it is half-way out. MAKE SURE YOU HANDS ARE NOT BETWEEN 9 O'CLOCK AND 3 O'CLOCK, OR YOU WILL BREAK THE AUTOMATC DATE SETTING GEAR!!!!! Then either turn the stem clock-wise , or counter clock-wise , one of the two ways will set your date.

The crown is probably a screw down style. The screw down stem is designed to keep the water out and should be screwed shut when not adjusting the watch. Look at the watch stem from the side, look from the 3 oclock to the 9 oclock, you should see the end of the stem. Now turn the stem counterclockwise. After a number of turns, the stem should pop out a bit, it is now ready to set. Most waterproof automatic day/date watches have 4 positions for the stem:

1: screwed down (locked)
2: unscrewed position A
3: unscrewed position B (stem pulled out to first "click")
4: unscrewed position C (stem pulled out all the way.)

Position A:
This is usually used to wind the watch, although some automatic watches cannot be wound by the stem.

Position B:
Used to set day/date. Turning the stem one direction will advance the day and turning it the other direction will advance the date.

Position C:
Used to set the time. Some watches will "hack," a term used to describe the ability to stop the second hand for accuracy purposes.

Be sure the watch is at least a little bit wound before starting theis procedure or it will not run when you get it set!


Unscrew the stem and pull it all the way out to position C. Now turn the stem to advance the time clockwise. Continue turning until the day/date advances, now you know you are in the AM 12 hrs of the day. It is important not to advance the day/date with the stem during the 3 hours before and the 3 hours after midnight, so go ahead and move the time to 8 am.

Now push the stem in sligthly until you are in position B. Sometimes it is easier to go to position A, the out to position B. Once in position B, advance the day/date until it is set for the current day/date.

Pull the stem out to position C. Adjust the time to one minute past the current time. Watch your reference timepiece until it matches your watch and push the stem in when they match.

Your watch is now set! Screw the crown down and wear it in good health.


Hacking. If you stop the second hand at 0 seconds, and wait for your reference timepiece to reach 0 seconds also, you can set the watch to within a second accuracy.

Movement slop. If you advance the time past the time you wish to set your watch and then "backup" to your chosen time, you will remove the slop from the geartrain and make your watch set more accuretly