Many watch enthusiasts frequently encounter a minor yet annoying issue: their mechanical watch

Many watch enthusiasts frequently encounter a minor yet annoying issue: their mechanical watches’ calendars often misalign. This problem, which I have personally experienced, arises because standard calendar mechanical watches require manual adjustments at the end of short months and February; annual calendars need yearly adjustments at the end of February, and perpetual calendars, theoretically maintenance-free, demand uninterrupted operation to avoid the hassle of resetting.

Hence, it’s not uncommon for mechanical watch calendars to misbehave, most notably by switching dates at noon instead of midnight. Before delving into horological media, I tackled the midday switch by halting my watch for 12 hours – a method that, while effective, was admittedly cumbersome and impractical. A simpler solution involves adjusting the hour hand forwards or backwards by 12 hours, instantly correcting the calendar.

For those whose mechanical watches’ calendars advance or lag by more than a day, utilizing the quick-set date feature is advisable, ensuring to avoid the period between 10 PM and 2 AM to prevent damaging the movement. This approach helps maintain your timepiece’s accuracy without the risk of causing harm to its intricate mechanics.