How to Set a Digital Watch

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 Tested

If it's been a while since you've had to set your digital watch, you may not remember the procedure. To change settings, you'll first need to switch your watch to Time Mode, which will allow you to adjust things like the time, date, day of the week, and more. Once you're in Time Mode, you'll use a button to move through and modify settings. When it's set, you're ready to use your watch.

Things You Should Know

Use the "Set" and/or "Mode" buttons to adjust your digital watch.
Press an indented button with a pen to switch your watch into time mode. If your watch isn't labeled, press random buttons until you switch over to time mode.
Adjust the minute, hour, and other time settings with the "Advance" and "Mode" buttons.
Hit "Set" to finalize your time settings and use your watch as usual.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Switching to Time Mode

1
Inspect the buttons on your watch. Digital watches come with many different features and designs. Simple watches may only have one or two buttons, but more complicated watches may have several. Watch setting buttons are usually on the left or right side of the face of the watch.
- Although uncommon, some watches may have setting buttons on the back of the watch or behind a simple cover. Covers can usually be removed with your fingers or a small screwdriver.
- Some watches may label buttons. Common buttons on digital watches include “Mode,” “Set,” “Reset,” “Start,” and “Light.”^{[1]
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- You'll likely be using the “Mode” and/or “Set” buttons. “Mode” changes your watch into Time Mode, Stopwatch Mode, and so on. “Set” allows you to adjust the time in Time Mode or finalize changes.
2
Use a pen to change the mode on models with a recessed push button. Simple watches tend to have a single, small, recessed button for modifying settings. Use a pen to poke into the recessed area and change the mode of your watch.^{[2]
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- When in the time setting mode, a setting (like the minutes, hours, date, etc.) will usually start blinking.
- If your watch has a recessed button and another button, the recessed one is most likely for switching modes and the other for tweaking settings.
- Avoid using a pencil to press recessed buttons. If the tip of the pencil breaks off in the hole, it may jam the button, making it impossible to set.
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3
Switch multi-button watches to Time Mode. If your watch doesn't label its buttons, you may need to click these randomly until you find the one to change the mode. The minutes or hours of most digital watches blink when you're in the time setting mode.
- Generally, only one unit (minutes, hours, date) will blink at a time. Some watches may indicate option selection differently, like with an underline or box.
- Complicated watches may have a lot of features. Familiarize yourself with these by pressing buttons to see how they affect the watch's display.
- Some watches may not have a mode button, in which case you should use the “Set” button, as described in the next step.^{[3]
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4
Press the “Set” button to enter the time setting mode when applicable. If your watch only has a “Set” button, you may only need to press this to enter the time setting mode. Other watches may require you to use the “Mode” button to enter the time setting mode and the “Set” button to finalize the time.^{[4]
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Contact the manufacturer or look up a manual for complicated watches. If your watch is especially complicated and you don't have instructions, look up a digital manual online. Digital manuals can be found with an online keyword search for your watch brand and model.
- If a digital manual is impossible to find, look up and call the customer service number for your watch.
- Model and brand information are usually written or engraved on the back of the watch or somewhere on the watch face.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Modifying Settings

1
Change minutes with the advance button. Usually, the first option you can change is the minute setting, which should be blinking to indicate it is selected. While blinking, press the advance button to increase the time. Press the button slowly so you don't accidentally miss the number you're aiming for.^{[5]
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- Simple watches will probably only have two buttons: one to change the mode and the other to advance settings one unit per button press.
- Most watches will cycle through settings in order from least to greatest (like 1 minute to 59 minutes) or first to last (like Sunday to Saturday) before repeating the lowest/first option.
- Multi-button watches occasionally use the “Reset,” “Adjust,” or “Set” to advance the settings one unit at a time.^{[6]
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2
Set the hours. Click the mode button again to select the hours. You'll know when they're selected because, like the minutes, they'll begin to blink. Once they do, use the advance feature to similarly set the hours on your watch.
3
Alter other settings as necessary, like the date and day of the week. The typical order for mode options is: minutes, hours, AM/PM, date, and day of the week. Move through these options by pressing the mode button and modify selected setting with the advance button.
- Some watches may have specific button combinations for certain settings. For example, you may have to hold down a button for a few seconds to set an alarm.^{[7]
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4
Exit the time setting mode by returning to normal mode. When all your settings look good, press the “Set” button to finalize the time and return to normal mode. If your watch doesn't have a “Set” button, click the “Mode” button until no settings are blinking/highlighted.^{[8]
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Community Q&A

Question

What can a DelphiII digital watch do besides tell time?

Community Answer

Different brands of digital watch will have different features. The best way to find all the features of your particular brand is to look up a digital manual online.