Set-up Guide: How to Set the Time, Date and Wind your Watch

Set-up Guide: How to Set the Time, Date and Wind your Watch

Congrats! Your Zenmaster just arrived and you’ve got it out of the box and on the wrist.

Before you start wearing it everywhere (and we’re sure you will), here’s the quick-start guide for getting your watch running exactly the way it should.

Your Zenmaster uses a Japanese MIYOTA 9015 premium automatic movement, visible through the caseback. It’s reliable, smooth, and gives you a healthy 42-hour power reserve.

The Zenmaster comes with a screw-down crown. The most common mistakes we see:

  • People tend to want to pull out the crown right away, while it’s still screwed in (don’t do that).
  • After unscrewing the crown, people pull the crown out too far and skip the date setting.
  • People overwind the movement. Luckily the 9015 has a slipping clutch to protect you.

So let's walk you through it step by step.

1. How to Unscrew the Screw-Down Crown (Please Don’t Yank It)

Your crown is locked (screwed in) for extra water resistance. This means you cannot pull it out until it’s unscrewed. If you try to pull before turning, it won’t move.

Here's what you do:

  1. Hold the watch in your non-dominant hand.
  2. Gently grip the crown with your fingertips.
  3. Turn it counter-clockwise (toward you).
  4. You’ll feel it unthread, until you see a tiny little “pop” when the crown is fully unscrewed


Once it’s unscrewed, the crown will spring outward slightly. It is now in the winding position.

2. Winding Position (Position 0)

With the crown now unscrewed and free, don’t pull it out yet. It's now in the normal position, which means the watch in manual winding mode.

To wind:

  • Turn the crown clockwise (away from you), without pressing it into the case
  • Go slowly and smoothly when you wind
  • Aim for about 15–20 turns for a healthy start.

The MIYOTA 9015 has a built-in slipping clutch, so you cannot overwind it, but even then, don’t go crazy. Gentle, steady turns are perfect.

3. Date Setting Position (Position 1)

This is the position you could accidentally skip it you pull out the crown without a little care. Give it some love.

From the winding position:

  • Gently pull the crown one click outward.
  • You should feel a small, soft “click.”

That’s the date-setting position. Turn the crown clockwise to set the date. Please note that the date can only be set forward. This is standard for the MIYOTA 9015 movement.

A few notes:

  • If you can, avoid changing the date when the time is between 9 PM and 3 AM.
    The date-change mechanism is engaged then, and forcing it can cause long-term wear.
  • If in doubt, set the time to ~6:00 first… then set the date… then set the final time.

4. Time Setting Position (Position 2)

Pull the crown one more click. It is now fully pulled out. This is a bigger, more obvious step and you’ll know immediately you’re in the right place.


In this position:

  • Turn the crown clockwise or counter-clockwise to adjust the hands to the right time.
  • The seconds hand stops (hacking function of the 9015).

Pro tip: If you need to move the hands past midnight, do it slow and controlled so you can watch the date flip.

Once your time is set:

  • Push the crown all the way back in.
  • While keeping pressure on the crown, pushing it into the case, screw it clockwise (away from you) until snug.

Don’t twist it too tightly, but make sure it is secure. A properly seated screw-down crown keeps your watch at its full 10 ATM water resistance.

5. You’re All Zen

That’s it. Your Zenmaster is ready, and so are you! The automatic rotor will keep it running as long as you wear it, and the crown will be second nature after a few days. It’s easy! Enjoy your new one-of-a-kind watch.

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