On a non-hacking Seiko like the SKX007 (7S26) or a vintage 6309, the seconds hand keeps running when you pull the crown. So how do you set it to the second? There are two honest ways.
Does your watch hack?
| Caliber | Hacks? |
|---|---|
| 4R35, 4R36, 6R15, 6R35 | Yes |
| 7S26 (SKX007, older Seiko 5) | No |
| 6309, 7002 (vintage) | No |
Method 1: restart it on the second (most accurate)
The only way to move the seconds hand on a non-hacking watch is to let it stop and start it again at the right moment.
- Leave the watch off your wrist until it stops (about 41 hours on a 7S26).
- When it has stopped with the seconds hand near 12, set the hands to a minute or two ahead of the real time.
- Push the crown back in.
- Watch your reference clock. When it reaches that exact minute, give the watch a gentle side-to-side swing to start the balance, then wear it.
Method 2: line up the minute hand (quick)
If you don’t want to wait for it to stop, set the minute hand so that it sits exactly on a minute marker when the seconds hand passes 12. The watch then reads correctly to the minute, with the seconds off by however far the seconds hand is from your reference clock. For daily wear, that is often good enough.
Use a good reference
Use an official time source such as time.gov or your phone’s network time. Seiko’s own instructions say to push the crown in “in accordance with a time signal”.
Want hacking?
If setting to the second matters to you, choose a 4R36 or 6R35 watch. Compare them in 4R36 vs 6R35 or the movement comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Seiko 7S26 hack?
No. The seconds hand keeps running when you pull the crown out, so you can’t stop it to synchronise.
Is it safe to press back on the crown to stop the seconds?
Some owners do it, as noted in comments on Caliber Corner, but it puts pressure on the movement. The restart method is safer.
Which Seikos do hack?
The 4R35, 4R36, 6R15 and 6R35 hack. The 7S26 and vintage 6309 and 7002 don’t.
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