Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do you have questions about our watches, care and maintenance?
You'll find the answers here.

Failure

My Eco-Drive watch has stopped. What can I do?

The power reserve may not be sufficient. Expose the dial to direct sunlight to charge it. The charging time required for a stopped watch to return to normal operation varies by model. To check the charging times, refer to the instruction manual of the watch. For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

Contact your nearest service center if the watch does not move even after charging.

The longest hand in the center does not move at all, while all other hands and indicators run normally. Why?

The power reserve may not be sufficient. Expose the dial to direct sunlight to charge it. The charging time required for a stopped watch to run normally again differs depending on the model. To check the charging times, refer to the instruction manual of the watch. For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

Contact your nearest service center if the watch does not have a stopwatch function.

The second hand jumps in 2-second intervals. Why?

This means that the battery needs to be charged (insufficient charge warning function). After the battery is sufficiently charged, the second hand returns to normal operation.

Sometimes the second hand moves very fast and then returns to normal operation. Why?

This can happen when you take the Eco-Drive watch with power save function out of the drawer or look at the watch when it was previously under your sleeve. Under such circumstances, when the watch is not exposed to light, the watch will enter power saving mode and stop the hand movement to save power. Once the watch is exposed to light, the hands will move very slowly to adjust to the current time stored in the watch.

The LCD display is dim. What can I do?

This could be caused by the end of life of the LCD or other parts. The life of the LCD is approximately eight years (about 70,000 hours).

Display speed of the LCD is too slow. Why?

Due to the properties of liquid crystals, the display speed of the LCD may become slower when the ambient temperature is 0 °C or lower. This is not a malfunction.

LCD display turns black and nothing is displayed. What can I do?

The LCD display may temporarily turn black when the ambient temperature is 60 °C or more. This is not a malfunction.

The watch is fogged up on the inside of the glass. What care is required?

If the fogging disappears a few minutes after the glass surface dries, this is not a problem. However, if the watch remains fogged up for a longer period of time, there may be a problem with the water seal.

The inside of the clock has become wet. What can I do?

I have lost the instruction manual. Can I get a new one?

You can download PDFs of the manual instructions from the support page of our website.

Radio controlled Watch

How can I set the time when no signals are received?

You can set the time manually. The setting method differs depending on the model. For how to make the changes, refer to the instruction manual of the clock.
For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

I want my watch to receive signals immediately. How do I have to proceed?

You can perform signal reception manually. The method for manual signal reception differs depending on the model. For how to make the changes, refer to the instruction manual of the watch.
For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

The time on my radio controlled clock is wrong. Why?

This may be because the time set on the clock is incorrect or the reference position of the hands on the watch is incorrect. Try receiving signals manually to set the time. Check the reference position of the hands on the watch if the time is still wrong even after successful manual signal reception.

The methods for manual signal reception and checking the reference position of the hands differ depending on the model. For how to make the changes, refer to the instruction manual of the watch.
For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

The time is still wrong even after the signal is received. Why?

The world time setting may be incorrect. Check the world time setting. The setting method for the world time differs depending on the model. For how to make the changes, refer to the instruction manual of the watch.
For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

The time and calendar on the clock are incorrect even after receiving signals with the correct world setting. Why?

The reference position of the hands on the watch may be incorrect. Check the reference position. The method for checking the reference position differs depending on the model. For how to make the changes, refer to the instruction manual of the watch.
For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

The time on the radio-controlled clock is 1 hour ahead of the actual time even after signal reception. Why?

The daylight saving time setting may be incorrect. Check the daylight saving time setting. he daylight saving time setting method differs depending on the model. For how to make the changes, refer to the instruction manual of the watch.
For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

The time and calendar on the clock are incorrect even after receiving signals with correct world time and daylight saving time settings. Why?

The reference position of the hands on the watch may be incorrect. Check the reference position.The reference position of the hands on the watch may be incorrect. Check the reference position. The method for checking the reference position differs depending on the model. Refer to the instruction manual of the watch to make the changes.
For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

Can my watch receive signals abroad?

Our radio-controlled watches can receive time signals from all or any of the signal locations in Japan, the USA, Germany and China. The available signals differ depending on the model. Please refer to the instruction manual of the watch to find out how to make the changes.

What happens when a radio-controlled clock does not receive a radio signal?

It runs like a normal quartz watch. For more information on accuracy without signal reception, refer to “Technical Specifications” in the instruction manual of your watch.

Are there any problems with using a radio-controlled clock in a hospital or aircraft?

A radio-controlled clock only receives time signals from signal points. It does not transmit radio signals itself. It can be used in a hospital or an airplane without any problems.

Recharging

What should I pay attention to when charging an Eco-Drive watch?

Do not charge the watch at high temperatures (about 60 °C or higher). Charging at excessively high temperatures may cause deformation and/or discoloration of the dial or solar cell, or malfunction of mechanical parts. Take special care when charging the watch in the following locations: Under lamps that emit excessive heat, such as incandescent lamps or halogen lamps. Ensure sufficient distance (50 cm or more) when charging. On the dashboard of a vehicle. It can get extremely hot there in seasons other than summer.

Does the charging time of an Eco-Drive watch differ depending on the season?

It may differ depending on the illuminance of the light that the watch’s solar panel receives from the light source. If an Eco-Drive watch with a solar panel under the dial is laid flat, it will take longer to charge in the winter than in the summer. Since the position of the sun is lower in winter than in summer, the illuminance of this light is weaker in winter. In addition, the watch is often covered by a sleeve of a coat or other clothing and thus does not receive enough light in winter. As a result, it is not sufficiently charged. You should charge the watch with dial (solar panel) vertically towards the light source in any season.

Can Eco-Drive watches be charged under fluorescent lamps?

Yes, but you should charge them in direct sunlight for full and efficient charging.

Calendar

The calendar on my watch changes around noon. What can I do?

The time on the clock is twelve hours faster or slower. Set the time on the clock twelve hours forward or backward. The setting method differs depending on the model. For how to make the changes, refer to the instruction manual of the clock.
For some models, you can also use the short instructions.

How can I correctly display a date and day of the week for a year that is not included in the calendar of my watch?

The calendar function of old watches is sometimes limited (for example from 1992 to 2004) and does not cover the last years. Dates and weekdays for years not covered will not be displayed correctly on such watches.
In this case, you can display the correct date and day of the week on your watch by selecting a covered year that has the same calendar as the year you want to set.

The following list shows alternative corresponding years (1992-2004) for 2016-2099.

List of alternative corresponding years (1992-2004) for 2016-2099:

Year	Alternative year	Alternative year after March 1st	Year	Alternative year	Alternative year after March 1st
2016	1993	1994	2058	2002
2017	1995		2059	2003
2018	2001		2060	2004
2019	2022		2061	1994
2020	1992		2062	1995
2021	1993		2063	2001
2022	1994		2064	2002	2003
2023	1995		2065	1998
2024	1996		2066	1993
2025	1997		2067	1994
2026	1998		2068	1995	2001
2027	1999		2069	2022
2028	2000		2070	2003
2029	2001		2071	1998
2030	2002		2072	1996	1994
2031	2003		2073	1995
2032	2004		2074	2001
2033	1994		2075	2002
2034	1995		2076	1992
2035	2001		2077	1993
2036	2002	2003	2078	1994
2037	1998		2079	1995
2038	1993		2080	1996
2039	1994		2081	1997
2040	1995	2001	2082	1998
2041	2022		2083	1999
2042	2003		2084	2000
2043	1998		2085	2001
2044	1993	1994	2086	2002
2045	1995		2087	2003
2046	2001		2088	2004
2047	2002		2089	1994
2048	1992		2090	1995
2049	1993		2091	2001
2050	1994		2092	2002	2003
2051	1995		2093	1998
2052	1996		2094	1993
2053	1997		2095	1994
2054	1998		2096	1995	2001

About “Alternate year after March 1″The years 2016, 2036, 2040, 2044, 2064, 2068, 2072, 2092 and 2096 are leap years. The alternate years corresponding to them are not leap years and their calendars do not coincide with them after February 29. In these leap years, you must set another alternate year or “alternate year after March 1”.

Why does setting an alternate year make the date and weekday display correct?

For the following reasons, the date and day of the week are displayed correctly after setting a year other than the current year. An alternate year of a given year has the same calendar as the year in question. This means that January 1 falls on the same day of the week in both years. Example: January 1, 2017 is a Sunday and the calendar of the year can be replaced by the calendar of the year 1995, which also starts with a Sunday.

Battery

Why is the battery completely discharged shortly after purchase?

Except for the Eco-Drive models, the batteries are inserted into the new watches shortly before shipment to verify that all functions work as intended. For this reason, the batteries may already be discharged to a certain extent at the time of purchase.

I want to replace the battery of my watch myself. What can I do?

You should not replace the battery yourself. Removing the back of the watch case to replace the battery may allow dust to enter and the waterproofing may be compromised, resulting in malfunction.

Contact your dealer for battery replacement or find your nearest service centre on the support page of our website and ask them for advice.

Who can I contact for battery replacement for watches such as diving watches or watches with high water resistance whose batteries cannot be replaced in a normal watch store?

Find the nearest service center on the support page of our website and ask them for advice. Battery replacement for diving watches and watches with high water resistance requires a special environment for testing water resistance after battery replacement.

Band

How do I care for a urethane bracelet?

Wash it with water and dry it with a cloth.

Precautions when using a urethane bracelet

A urethane bracelet may be stained by dyes that adhere to clothing or accessories. Since such stains may not be removable, avoid wearing your watch with clothing, bags, etc. that stain easily.
With a urethane bracelet, wear may occur due to solvents and humidity on the bracelet. Replace the bracelet when it loses elasticity or becomes brittle.

How do I care for a leather bracelet?

If a leather bracelet has become wet due to water or sweat, wipe it immediately with a dry and soft cloth. Be careful not to rub the strap, but dab it.

Precautions when using a leather wristband

If you get a rash while wearing a leather bracelet, take it off immediately and consult a doctor. You should replace the bracelet with one made of other materials such as metal or urethane.
Do not wear the leather bracelet too tightly. Leave enough space between the bracelet and your skin to ensure adequate ventilation.
If substances containing volatile materials, bleach or alcohol get on the leather wristband, it may cause discoloration and/or wear. Avoid.
Leather wristbands are made of a natural material and will wear, deform and discolor over time. Replace them regularly.

How do I care for a metal bracelet?

If a metal bracelet has become wet due to water or sweat, wipe it immediately with a dry and soft cloth. Otherwise, even a bracelet made of stainless steel or with gold plating may rust, and the rust may cause a skin rash.

If it is very dirty, cover the main case of the watch with a plastic sheet or something similar and clean the band with a neutral cleaner or soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Then dry it immediately with a soft and dry cloth.

Precautions when using a metal bracelet

Stainless steel bracelets have an anti-rust treatment, but sweat or dirt can damage the surface coating of the metal and cause rusting.

The urethane bracelet on my watch is broken. Can it be repaired?

It must be replaced with a new one.With a urethane bracelet, wear can occur due to solvents and humidity on the bracelet. Replace the strap when it loses elasticity, or becomes brittle.

Can I replace a metal bracelet with one made of leather? And can I replace a leather bracelet with one made of metal?

Generally, bracelets are not interchangeable because the case connecting construction of a metal bracelet and a leather bracelet often differ. However, they are interchangeable on some models. Find the nearest service center on the support page of our website and ask them for advice.

Inspection and repair

Who can I contact about an inspection of my watch?

Find the nearest service center on the support page of our website and ask them for advice.

My watch broke abroad. Where can I have it repaired?

Find the nearest service center on the support page of our website and ask them for advice.

Is it necessary to inspect the water resistance of my watch?

A watch has precision mechanics with parts that gradually wear out, and the surfaces become scratched and worn over time, even with proper use.
The deterioration of water resistance is particularly critical. It can cause water to enter the watch and cause it to malfunction.
It is very important to periodically take the watch in for inspection to correct problems such as wear of the seals, scratches or breakage of the glass, or otherwise.

What intervals do you recommend for replacing the watch seals?

The seals should be replaced every two or three years as they wear out over time.
Contact your nearest service center for more information on the cost and ordering method for seal replacement.

What can I do if I can't ask the retailer where I bought my watch for a repair?

Locate and contact the nearest service center by visiting the support page on our website.

Θα ήθελα να επισκευάσω/αναβαθμίσω ένα ρολόι που αγόραα πριν χρόνια. Τι μπορώ να κάνω;

Locate and contact the nearest service center by visiting the support page on our website. However, the watch may not be repairable if the parts for the repair have run out with the end of production of the model. During overhaul, the watch is disassembled and each part is cleaned and adjusted. Deteriorated parts are replaced to ensure the watch runs normally.

Why is periodic inspection of a watch important?

A watch has a precision mechanism with parts that can gradually wear out and surfaces that will gradually become scratched and worn even with proper use. Deterioration of water resistance is crucial, as it can cause water to enter the watch and cause it to malfunction. It is very important to send the watch for periodic inspections to solve problems such as the deterioration of the packaging, scratches or broken glass or others.

Is a periodic inspection required for Eco-Drive watches?

Yes, it is recommended to perform a periodic inspection every two or three years. The inspection of the movement and the water resistance is very important to keep the watch working correctly and to prolong its life.