The newer Seamaster Diver 300M pictured above has its date window at 6 o’clock. Earlier versions, including the 2531.80 and 2254.50, have it at 3 o’clock. The setting procedure described below is the same for these models.
If your Omega Seamaster changes the date at noon instead of midnight, the time is usually set 12 hours off. That alone doesn’t mean the watch needs service.
The hour hand goes around the dial twice a day, but the date changes only once. When you set the watch to 9:00, for example, it could be 9 in the morning or 9 at night as far as the movement is concerned.
The fix is straightforward. You need to find midnight on the watch, then set the date and time from there.
What Are the Crown Positions?
The crown is the winding knob on the side of the watch. On a standard Seamaster Diver 300M, use the crown at 3 o’clock. The knob at 10 o’clock is the helium escape valve.
On automatic models such as the 2531.80, 2254.50, and many ceramic Diver 300Ms, the positions work like this:
- Screwed down: The crown is threaded against the case. This is how it should sit when you’re wearing the watch.
- Position 1 — Winding: Turn the crown counterclockwise until it releases from the threads. Without pulling it out farther, turn it clockwise to wind the movement.
- Position 2 — Date setting: Pull the crown out one click. This lets you adjust the date without moving the hour and minute hands.
- Position 3 — Time setting: Pull the crown out a second click. This lets you move the hour and minute hands. The seconds hand stops while you set the time.
These instructions apply to models with this crown arrangement. Some Seamasters work differently, particularly vintage models.
How Do I Fix the Date Changing at Noon?
1. Find Midnight
Unscrew the crown and pull it out two clicks to the time-setting position.
Move the hands forward until the date changes. If you pass 12 and the date doesn’t change, you’ve passed noon. Keep going until the date advances.
Now you know where midnight is on the watch. The date may change slightly before or after 12 rather than at exactly 12:00.
2. Move the Hands to 6 AM
Continue moving the hands forward to 6:00. Since you just passed midnight, you know this is 6 AM.
This puts the hands outside the overnight date-changing period before you use the quick-set adjustment.
Avoid using the quick-set date between 8 PM and 2 AM on the movements covered here. Omega includes this warning in its operating instructions. It refers to the time shown on the watch, even if that isn’t the actual time. You can find the manual for your watch on Omega’s user manuals page.
3. Set the Date
Push the crown in one click to Position 2 and set today’s date.
There’s one exception: if the actual time is before 6 AM, set yesterday’s date. You’ll advance it to today when you move the hands through midnight in the next step.
4. Set the Time
Pull the crown back out to Position 3 and move the hands forward to the current time.
If it’s 9:15 AM, move forward from 6:00 to 9:15.
If it’s 2:30 PM, go past 12 once and continue to 2:30.
If it’s before 6 AM and you set yesterday’s date, continue forward through noon and midnight, then stop at the correct morning time. The date will advance to today as you pass midnight.
When you’re finished, push the crown back in and screw it down finger-tight. You don’t need to crank it down hard.
What If I Have a Vintage Seamaster?
Vintage Seamasters don’t all use the same setting system. Many have crowns that don’t screw down, and some have a different quick-set date mechanism.
The Omega calibre 565, for example, uses a “pump” quickset. Pulling the crown past the time-setting position advances the date one day. Returning it to the time-setting position and repeating that pull advances another day.
If you’re unsure which movement is in your vintage Seamaster, check before using these instructions. Don’t try to force the crown into a position it doesn’t have.
Does My Seamaster Need Service?
If the date changes normally but does it at noon, check the AM/PM setting first. Usually, correcting that is all it takes.
If the date still isn’t changing properly or you’re having trouble setting the watch, give me a call.
If you’re also wondering what year your Seamaster was made, I explain where to find the serial number and how to estimate its age in What Year Is My Omega Seamaster?.
Sam — Tambo Watches
