How to Set a Bulova Watch

Co-authored by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: September 16, 2021

Setting a Bulova watch is fairly simple, but the process may vary depending on if the watch displays the date. However, all of the settings are adjusted using the crown on the side of your watch. If your watch has a chronograph, you can also easily calibrate it back into the zero position so you can use it again. Once the watch is set completely, you'll be able to easily keep track of time!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Changing the Time

1
Pull the crown out into the furthest position. The crown is the dial usually found on the right side of your watch. Pinch the dial and pull it out until it clicks twice. The hands on your clock should stop moving once the crown is pulled.^{[1]
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- If your watch has a second hand, wait until it's pointing at the 12 to pull out the crown to make your time more exact.
- If your watch doesn't display the day or date, the crown will only click once when it's pulled out.
2
Spin the crown to rotate the minute and hour hands. Turn the crown clockwise to move the hands forward or counterclockwise to move them back. Try to get as close to the current time as you can so your watch is accurate.^{[2]
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- Only the hour and minute hands will change. The second hand will stay in the same place.
- If your watch has a small dial for military time, the crown will also change it. Make sure it's also pointing at the correct time of day.
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3
Push the crown back in place to start the watch again. When your watch is set to the correct time, carefully push the crown back into the watch. Be careful not to spin the crown as you push or else the time will be off. Check your watch periodically throughout the day to make sure it's still keeping time.^{[3]
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- If your watch runs too slow, you might need to change the battery.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Setting the Day and Date

1
Pull the crown out to the furthest position. Grab the crown between your fingers and pull it out until it clicks twice. The watch hands will stop in place and you'll be able to adjust the day of the week.^{[4]
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2
Rotate the crown until the correct day of the week is displayed. Turn the crown clockwise so the hands move forward. As the hands cross 12 AM, the day of the week will change on your watch. Keep rotating the crown until you reach the correct day.^{[5]
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- On watches without a day of the week display, this position will affect the time and date.
- This will also change the time your watch is currently set at. Make sure to adjust to the correct time once you're finished setting the date.
- Don't change the day or date between 9 PM and 4 AM since that's when the changing mechanism activates inside the watch. This could lead to the day or date being inaccurate. Some models may not even let you make adjustments during this time.
3
Push the crown in until it clicks once. Carefully push the crown in so you don't rotate it. The crown should click into the first position that allows you to adjust the date displayed on your watch.^{[6]
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- The watch hands will start moving again once the crown is in the first position.
4
Spin the crown to change the date before pressing it in completely. Rotate the crown clockwise to increase the date. Keep turning it until the correct date is displayed. Once you have the correct date, push the crown in completely so the watch starts running again.^{[7]
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- If your watch has a printed calendar on it, then turning the crown clockwise will change the date and turning it counter-clockwise will change the day of the week.
- Don't change the date between 9 PM and 4 AM since that's when the watch normally switches over.
- If a month has fewer than 31 days, you need to manually adjust the date at the end of each month.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Calibrating Chronograph Hands

1
Pull the crown out as far as you can. Grab the crown on the right side of your watch and pull it out. You should hear 2 clicks before it doesn't pull out any further. The hands on your watch will stop as you adjust the chronograph.^{[8]
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- If your chronograph watch doesn't display the date or day of the week, the crown will only click once.
2
Push and hold the 2 buttons until the chrono second hand makes a full rotation. The A and B buttons should be located on the same side of the watch as the crown. Press both of the buttons at the same time and hold them for about 3 seconds until the second hand on the smaller dial goes around the face once. When it does, the rest of the chronograph is ready for adjustments.^{[9]
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- If there is a third button on the opposite side, it is not used while calibrating the chronograph.
3
Press the A button to zero the position of the dial. The A button can be found directly above the crown. When you press the button, the chrono second hand should move. Keep pressing the button until the hand is pointing straight up.^{[10]
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4
Use the B button to change which dial you're adjusting. Once you're finished zeroing one of the chronograph dials, press the B button below the crown to change the dial you're adjusting. After you change the dial, press the A button again until it resets to zero. Keep cycling between the 2 buttons until all the dials are pointing up.^{[11]
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- The chronograph will start on the second dial, cycle to the hour dial, and finally end on the minute dial.
5
Push the crown back in when you're finished. Once all of the chronograph dials are zeroed in, press the crown back into the watch. The watch should start keeping time again and your chronograph is ready to use!^{[12]
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- Chronographs are primarily used to track elapsed time.
- You may need to adjust the time as you would with a non-chronograph watch when you're finished.
6
Finished.