Key wind and set watches

Some of the older antique pocket watches use a key in order to wind the mainspring and to set the time. There are two basic types of key wind watches.

One is key wind from the back, and key wind from the front at a square shaft in the center of the hands.

The other basic type of key wind pocket watch, has the square key shafts on the back side of the watch, either directly on the movement, or accessable through holes in the dust cover.

Usually key wind watches wind clockwise. (except in the case of chain fusee types which wind counter clockwise and E. Howard key winds.) If you are not sure about winding, check with a reputable watch dealer. It should never be hard to wind a key wind, so apply only gently pressure in the correct direction for winding.