How to Set the Time and Date on Your Tissot PRX, Seastar, or Gentleman – Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever stared at your Tissot, unsure if you’re about to set the date—or accidentally break the movement? You’re not alone.

Tissot is known for its Swiss precision and clean design, but setting the time and date incorrectly can cause damage, especially with automatic movements. Whether you’re sporting the sleek Tissot PRX, diving with the bold Tissot Seastar, or dressing up with the Tissot Gentleman, this guide will help you set your watch like a pro.

Let’s take the guesswork out of it.

🧭 Quick Overview: How These Tissot Watches Differ

Why Proper Setup Matters (More Than You Think)

Setting the date during the wrong hours (usually 8 PM to 4 AM) can grind gears and damage internal mechanisms. Also, using the wrong method for your movement type—quartz vs automatic—can cause confusion or worse, wear and tear.

Learning to set your Tissot the correct way ensures:

• 💎 Longevity of the movement
• 🕒 Reliable timekeeping
• 💼 A confident, professional appearance

🔧 1. Tissot Automatic Watches (e.g., Powermatic 80)

✅ Yes, you can and should wind it.

• How to wind:
  Turn the crown clockwise (while in the fully pushed-in position) about 20–30 times to give the watch a full wind.
• Why wind it?
  To start the movement or keep it running when not worn regularly. Automatic watches wind themselves with wrist motion but still benefit from manual winding, especially after being idle.
• Examples:
  • Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
  • Tissot Seastar Powermatic 80
  • Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80

🔋 2. Tissot Quartz Watches

⚠️ No need to wind.

• Quartz watches are battery-powered and do not require winding.
• Pulling out the crown will let you set the time and date, but not wind anything.
• Examples:
  • Tissot PRX Quartz
  • Tissot Chrono XL Quartz
  • Tissot Everytime

💡 Pro Tips:

• Don’t overwind: Tissot’s automatic movements have a slipping spring, so you won’t damage it by winding — but 20–30 turns is sufficient.
• If it has a screw-down crown (like the Seastar), unscrew it before winding and screw it back in afterward to maintain water resistance.

🕰️ 1. Tissot PRX Quartz

✅ How to Set the Time:

1. Pull the crown out to the second position (you’ll feel two clicks).
2. Rotate the crown in either direction to adjust the time to your desired setting.
3. Push the crown back in once the correct time is set. This will restart the movement.

✅ How to Set the Date:

• Pull the crown out to the first position (you’ll feel one clicks).
• To change the date, you need to turn the crown up (Clock-wise) until the correct date appears.

⚙️ 2. Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (Automatic)

🗓️ How to Set the Date:

1. Pull the crown to the first click (Position 1).
2. Turn the crown clockwise to advance the date.
3. Do not adjust the date between 8 PM and 4 AM, as the date-change mechanism may be engaged and can be damaged.

🕰️ How to Set the Time:

1. Pull the crown to the second click (Position 2).
2. Turn the crown to set the desired time.
3. Push the crown back in fully once you’re finished.

🌊 3. Tissot Seastar 1000/2000 Powermatic 80

🗓️ How to Set the Date:

1. Pull the crown to Position 1.
2. Turn it clockwise to set the date.
3. Avoid setting the date between 8 PM and 4 AM.

🕰️ How to Set the Time:

1. Pull the crown to Position 2.
2. Turn it to set the correct time.
3. Push the crown back in and screw it down tightly to restore water resistance.

👔 4. Tissot Gentleman

🧭 Quartz Version:

⏱️ Set the Time:

1. Pull the crown to the second position (Position 2).
2. Rotate it to set the time.
3. Push the crown back in.

🗓️ Set the Date (if applicable):

1. Pull the crown to the first position (Position 1).
2. Rotate to adjust the date.
3. Push the crown back in.

🧭 Powermatic 80 Version (Automatic):

🗓️ Set the Date:

1. Pull to the first click (Position 1).
2. Rotate clockwise to adjust the date.
3. Avoid setting the date from 8 PM to 4 AM.

⏱️ Set the Time:

1. Pull to the second click (Position 2).
2. Rotate to set the time.
3. Push the crown in fully when done.

🧠 General Tips for All Models:

• Crown Positions:
  • Position 0 = Fully pushed in (winding for automatics).
  • Position 1 = First click (date setting).
  • Position 2 = Second click (time setting).
• Avoid Changing the Date Between 8 PM and 4 AM on automatic watches.
• Wind before setting time on automatic models.
• Screw the crown back in on water-resistant models like the Seastar.

🧠 Expert Tips for All Tissot Models

🕛 Know the “Danger Zone”

Never change the date between 8 PM and 4 AM—internal date gears may be engaged and can be damaged.

🧭 Wind Before Setting

For automatics, always fully wind the watch before adjusting the time or date.

🔒 Check the Crown Type

If your model has a screw-down crown, always screw it back in after adjustments. Forgetting this can expose your watch to water or dust.

🧼 Use a Soft Cloth

Avoid fingerprints and scratches by placing the watch on a microfiber cloth while adjusting.

💎 Extra: How to Care for Your Tissot Watch

• Service regularly: Every 3–5 years for automatics.
• Avoid magnets: They can throw off accuracy.
• Don’t shower with it: Even with water resistance, soap and heat affect seals.
• Store properly: Keep it in a cool, dry place or a watch box.

🧾 Final Word: Set It Right, Own It For Life

Setting your Tissot correctly is about more than just telling the time—it’s about preserving a piece of Swiss craftsmanship and wearing it with confidence.

Whether you’re rocking a retro-cool PRX, diving with the rugged Seastar, or dressing up in style with the Gentleman, now you know exactly how to set the time and date the right way.

Because when your timepiece is flawless, so is your look.

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