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How to start a stopped automatic watch

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Short answer

If your watch hand winds, turn the crown clockwise in its pushed-in position 20 to 40 times until the seconds hand runs. If it does not hand wind, hold it dial up and swing it gently side to side for a minute. Then set the date and time in the right order and wear it so the rotor keeps it wound.

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A stopped automatic is almost never broken. It has simply run out of stored energy, usually after a few days off the wrist. This page shows how to restart it by hand winding or swirling, how to set it without damaging the date, and what to check if it will not start or stops again soon after. It covers common watches like the Seiko 5 Sports, Orient Kamasu and Bambino, Tissot PRX and Hamilton Khaki Field.

Why automatic watches stop

An automatic movement stores energy in a coiled mainspring. Wrist motion swings the rotor, which winds the spring. When you take the watch off, it runs on what is stored, called the power reserve, and then stops. Listed reserves range from about 40 hours on many Orient and Seiko calibers to 80 hours on Powermatic 80 and Hamilton H-10 watches.

A watch can also stop on the wrist if you are not active enough to wind it, for example during a desk day. That is normal too. See automatic watch power reserve explained.

  1. Wrist motionYour arm moves.
  2. RotorA half-moon weight spins on its axle.
  3. Reversing wheelsTurn both swing directions into winding.
  4. Mainspring barrelStores the energy as a coiled spring.
  5. Gear trainCarries the power to the hands.
  6. Escape wheelReleased one tooth at a time.
  7. Pallet forkLocks and unlocks the escape wheel.
  8. Balance wheelSwings back and forth at a steady rate.
Wrist motion turns the rotor, which winds the mainspring. The escapement lets that power out in even steps to the hands.

Method 1: hand wind with the crown

  1. 1

    Check that your watch hand winds. Most modern automatics do, including the Seiko 4R36, Orient F6922 and F6T22, and the Powermatic 80. Some older or entry movements do not.

  2. 2

    If the crown screws down, unscrew it counterclockwise until it pops out to the first position. Do not pull it further.

  3. 3

    Turn the crown clockwise (away from you) in smooth turns. On some movements turning back does nothing, which is normal.

  4. 4

    The seconds hand should start within a few turns. Keep going: 20 to 40 turns gives a useful reserve on many movements.

  5. 5

    Stop if you feel resistance rise. Modern automatics have a slipping mainspring and cannot be overwound, but there is no reason to keep forcing it.

Note.Wind gently with your fingertips. Never wind a screw-down crown while it is still screwed in.

Method 2: swirl or shake gently

If the watch does not hand wind, you can wind it with the rotor. Hold the watch dial up and rotate your wrist side to side, or move it in a gentle circular motion, for about a minute. You should hear or feel the rotor spin. Once the seconds hand runs, put it on and wear it, or keep moving it for a few minutes to build some reserve.

Do not shake it hard or tap it on a table. A sharp knock can affect the balance and the rate. Gentle motion is enough. A watch winder can also wind it, but a winder adds wind slowly, so start the watch by hand first.

Set the watch in the right order

  1. 1

    Once it is running, pull the crown to the date position (usually the first click, or the second on screw-down crowns after unscrewing).

  2. 2

    Check where the hands are. If they are between about 9 pm and 3 am, pull to time-setting first and move the hands to around 6 o'clock.

  3. 3

    Set the date to the day before today.

  4. 4

    Pull to time-setting and advance the hands forward through midnight. The date will click over to today.

  5. 5

    Keep turning forward to the correct time, making sure you land on am or pm correctly. On a hacking movement, stop the seconds hand at 12 and push in on the minute.

  6. 6

    Push the crown in and screw it down if it is a screw-down crown.

Full guide to setting time and date →

If it will not start or stops again

Read automatic watch keeps stopping for a full diagnosis, and magnetized watch fix if it ran fast before stopping.

What you seeLikely causeWhat to do
Runs while you move it, stops soon afterBarely woundHand wind 30 to 40 turns or wear it all day
Stops overnight after a desk dayNot enough wrist motionHand wind in the morning; consider a longer power reserve watch
Runs very fast and stopsPossibly magnetizedHave it demagnetized; see the magnetized watch fix
Seconds hand will not move at all after windingCrown still pulled out (hacking), or a faultPush the crown fully in; if still stopped, see a watchmaker
Stops repeatedly even when fully woundNeeds service or has damageBook a service
Common reasons and fixes

Keep it from stopping next time

Wear it daily, give it a few crown turns each morning, or choose a storage plan for days off. If you rotate watches and keep restarting them, a winder may be worth it; see best watch winders and how to store automatic watches. A watch with an 80-hour reserve, such as many Tissot models in our Tissot automatic guide, can sit through a weekend and still be running on Monday.

Frequently asked questions

How many times should I wind an automatic watch? From fully stopped, about 20 to 40 turns of the crown is a common range to get a good reserve on many movements. Check your manual for your caliber.

Why is my automatic not working after winding? Check that the crown is pushed fully in, since a pulled crown stops the seconds hand on hacking movements. If it still will not run, it may be magnetized or need service.

Can I start an automatic by shaking it? Yes, with gentle side-to-side motion for a minute. Avoid hard shakes or knocks.

Is it bad that my automatic stopped? No. Stopping is normal when the power reserve runs out and does not damage the watch.

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