Automatic Watches Are Not Fully Automatic
Automatic watches are self-winding — they charge themselves through the motion of your wrist. But "automatic" does not mean "maintenance-free." There are times when you need to wind the watch manually, set the time, set the date, or restart a movement that has run down. If you have never done this before, the crown (the small knob on the side of the case) can seem ambiguous. This guide explains exactly what to do, using PINDU's NH35A-powered watches as the reference point.
How an Automatic Movement Works
An automatic watch contains a mainspring — a coiled metal spring that stores energy. A weighted rotor inside the case spins with your wrist movement, winding the mainspring continuously during wear. When you are not wearing the watch, the mainspring continues to unwind, powering the movement until the energy runs out. The NH35A movement used in most PINDU automatic watches has a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. Wear it daily and it will never stop. Leave it unworn for two days and it will need to be wound and reset.
Browse the PINDU range running the NH35A at pinduofficial.com/collections/all-pindu-watches.
Step 1: Understanding the Crown Positions
The crown on a PINDU NH35A watch has three positions:
- Position 0 (pushed fully in): Normal running position. The crown sits flush with the case. Push the crown back here when you are done adjusting anything.
- Position 1 (pulled out one click): Date adjustment. Turn the crown clockwise to advance the date display forward one day per click.
- Position 2 (pulled out two clicks): Time setting. The seconds hand stops (this is called hacking) so you can synchronise precisely to a time reference. Turn the crown to move the hour and minute hands.
Step 2: Manual Winding When the Watch Has Stopped
If the watch has run down, wind it manually before wearing it:
- The crown should be in Position 0 (flush with the case) — do not pull it out to wind
- Turn the crown clockwise (away from you, with the crown on the right side) in smooth, continuous rotations
- Wind for approximately 30–40 turns. You will feel slight resistance build as the mainspring reaches capacity — do not force it beyond this
- The seconds hand should now be moving, confirming the movement is running
You can also restart a stopped NH35A simply by wearing it — the rotor will wind the mainspring through wrist motion, and within a few minutes of active wear the watch will be running. Manual winding just gets it to full power immediately.
Step 3: Setting the Date
Pull the crown to Position 1 (one click out). Turn clockwise to advance the date. Each step advances the display by one day.
Important: Do not set the date when the watch shows a time between approximately 9pm and 2am. During this window the NH35A's date-change mechanism is mid-cycle, and forcing the date wheel at this point can damage the mechanism. If you need to set the date during this range, first move the time hands past 2am using Position 2, then set the date, then return the hands to the correct time.
Step 4: Setting the Time
Pull the crown to Position 2 (two clicks out). The seconds hand stops — this is the hacking function, which lets you synchronise the watch precisely. Turn the crown to move the hour and minute hands to the correct time. When the hands show the right time:
- If synchronising to a time signal, push the crown in at the exact second
- Push the crown back to Position 0 (fully in) to resume normal running
- The seconds hand will restart from where it stopped
The NH35A hacking feature is an advantage over movements that lack it — it allows genuinely precise time-setting rather than estimating where the seconds hand will be when you push the crown in.
How to Keep Your Automatic Running Without Stopping
The NH35A requires approximately 8 hours of active daily wear to keep the mainspring at or near full wind. If you wear the watch all day and most of the evening, it should run continuously without stopping. If you rotate between several watches, consider a watch winder — a motorised case that keeps the movement wound while not being worn. For NH35A watches, set the winder to 650–800 turns per day, bidirectional rotation.
What to Do If the Watch Runs Fast or Slow
A small amount of daily variation is normal for any automatic watch. The NH35A is rated to +/- 10–15 seconds per day accuracy at the factory, though individual pieces often perform better. If your watch gains or loses more than 20–30 seconds per day consistently, it may need regulation or service. For PINDU watches under warranty, contact PINDU customer support through pinduofficial.com — all watches come with a 3-year limited warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wind my PINDU automatic watch?
With the crown in Position 0 (flush with the case), turn it clockwise for approximately 30–40 turns. You will feel resistance build as the mainspring reaches capacity. Do not force it past this point. The watch should be running — you will see the seconds hand moving.
What are the three crown positions on an automatic watch?
Position 0 (fully in): normal running. Position 1 (one click out): date setting — turn clockwise to advance the date. Position 2 (two clicks out): time setting — the seconds hand stops (hacking) and you can set the hands to the correct time.
Why should I not set the date between 9pm and 2am?
During this window, the date-change mechanism inside the movement is mid-cycle, preparing to flip the date display at midnight. Forcing the date wheel while the mechanism is engaged can damage the date-setting components. Always advance the hands past 2am before setting the date if you are in this danger zone.
How long will my PINDU automatic watch run without wearing it?
PINDU's NH35A-powered watches have an approximately 41-hour power reserve when fully wound. This means the watch will run for just under two days without being worn before stopping. A watch winder set to 650–800 turns per day will keep it wound indefinitely.
My PINDU automatic watch has stopped. What should I do?
Wind the watch manually: with the crown in Position 0, turn it clockwise for 30–40 smooth turns. The movement should restart. Then pull the crown to Position 2, set the time, push the crown back to Position 0. If you also need to set the date, do this in Position 1 — but avoid the 9pm–2am danger zone described above.