Watchsetting and Care

[Newtimer]

Post your instructions for setting and caring for the forum project watch here. I'll start with my own observations:

The moonphase adjustment button at 4 'o clock does not appear to work during the time window in which the watch is changing dates (beginning around 5:30 pm). At first I thought the moonphase adjustment was broken, but it worked after I advanced the time beyond the date change (after 12:00 am).

The date can be semi-quickset by going back and forth between 5:30 pm and 12:00 am, but you're better off using the date adjustment button at 10 o' clock. It's faster and doesn't mess with the moonphase setting. I'm also cautious about using the semi-quickset method on a complicated movement, but perhaps someone more experienced can tell us whether this is safe to do on a regular basis.

[LCheapo]

According to the internet, the safe method to fiddle with date and moon phase is:
Advance the hands until the date changes -> midnight.
Advance 6 more hours -> 6am.
Safely push moon phase and date adjust buttons.
Adjust time.

[Chascomm]

As the moonphase advances in the middle of the night, I'm treating it like any other calendar complication. So when I set the watch for the first time in the late evening, I first set the date and moonphase with the hands in 'day time' before advancing to the correct time.

Further to my earlier observation about the slight delay in the minute hand starting after time setting, I've observed that this does not seem to occur if you make sure that the final adjustment is in the forward direction.

[skywatch]

I noticed on my watch the my date setting needed a slow, firm deep click on the pusher (I use a thick toothpick) and if I don't make a solid enough push, the date will only turn halfway to the next day. However, if I move the hands forward an hour or two, the date window falls into place. This only happens if I do not make a clear push, and it is easily fixed by moving the time forward. It's usually a good idea with mechanical movements to avoid setting the date anywhere near midnight, as it can put stress on the lever that flips the date. What I am not sure about, is whether the equivalent effect on the moon dial would occur at midnight, or at a division of 29.5 days into 31, meaning, slightly later each day. I understand that a moon gear is usually derived from a 59 tooth gear that gets stepped down by 1/2.

[Milanche78]

Well, setting the moonphase is a bit tricky, since i do not have any previous experience with it. How to know it is setted correctly ?

[balla]

Well, setting the moonphase is a bit tricky, since i do not have any previous experience with it. How to know it is setted correctly ?

I use this reference to set the moon phase Moon Phase Calendar - Set Your Moon Phase - Lunar Calendar - Phases of the Moon - Setting Your Watch hope this helps.

[Chascomm]

Well, setting the moonphase is a bit tricky, since i do not have any previous experience with it. How to know it is setted correctly ?

I just looked at a calendar to see when the next full moon was due and took a punt. Turns out I got it right.