How to Set Your Rolex Date

Created during the 1950s as a smaller and more affordable alternative to the Datejust, the Rolex Date offers identical functionality and chronometer-certified performance in a slightly more compact overall package.

The defining feature of the Rolex Date is its 34mm case, which represents a 2mm decrease in size compared to the 36mm diameter of the standard Datejust. Additionally, all Rolex Date watches have the same core set of features, consisting of three centrally-mounted hands for displaying the hours, minutes, and seconds, along with a date window at 3 o'clock that sits beneath a magnifying lens located on the surface of the crystal.

How to Set Your Rolex Date:

1. First, unscrew the winding crown until it is completely free from the threads that secure it to the case.
2. To set the date display on your watch, pull the winding crown out to the first position and rotate it to advance the value displayed by the date window.
3. For vintage Rolex Date watches that do not allow the date to be set separately from the time, you will need to rotate the hands past midnight to advance the date display.
4. To set the time, pull the winding crown out to the second position; the seconds hand will come to a complete stop.
5. Rotate the crown in either direction until the correct time is displayed by the hands. If the date display advances past the desired value while doing this, repeat the previous two steps to correct the date.
6. Once the time and date have been set, push in the winding crown and screw it back down to the case.

* The winding crown on your Rolex Date must be fully screwed down to ensure that it stays protected against moisture and dirt.

With chronometer-certified timekeeping performance and an incredibly versatile 34mm case size, the classic Rolex Date is the perfect go-anywhere, do-anything watch that can effortlessly be worn by everyone.