How to Wind and Set an Audemars Piguet Watch

An Audemars Piguet timepiece is a high-precision mechanical instrument. While designed for robustness, its performance and longevity depend on correct winding, careful setting, and disciplined crown handling.

Based on Audemars Piguet’s official recommendations, this guide explains how to wind and set your watch properly—whether manual or self-winding—while avoiding the most common owner mistakes.

Identify Your Movement Before You Begin

Audemars Piguet produces three primary movement types:

Manual-winding mechanical
Self-winding (automatic) mechanical
Quartz

Although crown positions and functions vary by reference and complication, the fundamental principles of winding and setting remain consistent. For complication-specific instructions, Audemars Piguet directs owners to the reference-specific user manual.

How Often You Should Wind Your Audemars Piguet

One of the most important—and often overlooked—official recommendations is regular winding, even when the watch is not worn.

Audemars Piguet states that mechanical watches should be wound at least once a month, regardless of whether they are in rotation or stored. This ensures that movement components remain properly lubricated and operational.

This guidance applies to both manual and self-winding watches.

How to Wind a Manual-Winding Audemars Piguet

For manual-winding models:

Ensure the crown is in the neutral winding position
Turn the crown slowly and smoothly
Stop as soon as resistance is felt
Never force the crown beyond resistance

Audemars Piguet emphasizes controlled motion. Over-tightening serves no benefit and can cause unnecessary mechanical stress.

How to Wind a Self-Winding (Automatic) Audemars Piguet

Although self-winding watches draw power from wrist movement, Audemars Piguet still recommends manual winding when the watch has not been worn for an extended period.

Official guidance specifies:

Wind the crown approximately 30 turns
This keeps the movement well lubricated and operating within optimal parameters

This monthly winding habit is particularly important for collectors who rotate multiple watches.

Setting the Time: Precision with Restraint

To set the time:

Gently pull the crown to the time-setting position
Adjust the hands carefully to the correct time
Avoid rapid or abrupt crown movements

Once the time is set, always return the crown to its fully closed position. Proper crown closure is essential to maintain water resistance and protect the movement.

Setting the Date and Calendar Functions: Timing Matters

Audemars Piguet provides a critical instruction that many owners overlook:

Avoid adjusting the time, date, day, month, or moon-phase indications in the afternoon or evening.

Calendar mechanisms often begin their transition during this period. Making corrections while the mechanism is engaged increases the risk of misalignment or damage.

For watches with advanced complications—such as perpetual calendars—Audemars Piguet explicitly advises following the reference-specific instructions provided with the watch.

Crown Discipline: A Small Habit with Major Consequences

Audemars Piguet consistently highlights crown handling as a key element of ownership discipline.

Best practices include:

Never adjusting the watch while it is wet
Ensuring the crown is fully secured after winding or setting
Avoiding unnecessary manipulation

Improper crown use is one of the most common causes of seal degradation and moisture intrusion.

When Not to Adjust Your Watch

According to Audemars Piguet, owners should avoid:

Adjusting functions during restricted calendar hours
Making corrections underwater
Attempting to “fix” irregular timekeeping independently

If performance issues arise, the manufacture recommends consulting an Official Audemars Piguet Service Center or Boutique rather than repeated manual adjustments.

Precision Is Preserved Through Consistency

Winding and setting an Audemars Piguet should never feel rushed. The manufacture’s philosophy favors regular, gentle interaction over infrequent, aggressive adjustment.

By winding monthly, respecting calendar mechanisms, and maintaining disciplined crown handling, owners ensure their watch continues to perform as designed—today and for decades to come.

Prestige Royals