IWC Schaffhausen
IWC
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
Instruction manual for reference: 3288

How to correctly wind your automatic watch
Functions of the crown
NORMAL POSITION
When wearing the watch, the screw-in crown should be in position X. This prevents water from seeping into the case and protects the crown system from damage. To release the crown, unscrew it by turning it in an anticlockwise direction, where, thanks to the tension in the spring, it automatically assumes position 0, the winding position. By depressing the crown in position X and turning it in a clockwise direction at the same time, it is screwed down firmly again and secured.
WINDING POSITION
With the crown in the winding position (position 0), you can wind the movement by hand. Around 10 to 20 revolutions of the crown in the winding direction are enough to start the movement. Once fully wound, the watch’s maximum running time will be available, ensuring the precision and maintaining the movement’s rate even after taking off the watch and up to a few hours before the power reserve is depleted.
DATE AND DAY SETTING
You should not use the rapid-advance function between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. because the movement automatically advances the date during this period and this could damage the switching mechanism.
If a month has fewer than 31 days, you will need to set the date manually to the first day of the following month. Pull the crown out to position 1. In this position, you can advance the date by 1 day at a time using the direct advance by turning the crown slowly but continuously to the right.
How to set the date on your watch
TIME SETTING
TIME SETTING
Before pulling the crown out to its limit to set the time, you should ensure that the watch still has a few hours’ power reserve. Otherwise, the crown should be pushed into position 0, the winding position, and the watch should be wound.
For watches with a date display, there is a middle position for the crown. By pulling the crown out to its limit, position 1, used for setting the date, will be skipped and the crown will be in position 2.
If the crown is completely pulled out, the movement will be automatically stopped and the time can be set by turning the crown.
You can set the time by turning the crown and positioning the minute hand exactly above the minute stroke. When doing this, move the minute hand a few minute strokes beyond the time to be set. The minute hand can be positioned exactly above the correct minute stroke by moving it backwards gently. This ensures that the minute hand begins to move immediately when you restart the movement.
When setting the time, please check whether the date change takes place at 12 midnight. If this change has already taken place at 12 noon, you must move the hands forwards by 12 hours.
To start the seconds hand, push in the crown to position 0.
By depressing the crown in position X and turning it to the right at the same time, it is screwed down firmly again and secured.
READING THE TIME IN THE DARK
All luminescent elements on hands, dial and external rotating bezel are made from non-ionizing materials.
The dial, the hour and minute hands as well as the markings on the rotating bezel of your watch have luminescent elements that allow you to read the time effortlessly even in total darkness. The two luminescent elements at 12 o’clock serve as a reference point.
WARNINGS BEFORE YOU DIVE
If you are planning to use the watch to track your dive time and depth, you should be a certified open water diver. The training required to obtain a diving certification is carried out in accordance with the regional legal requirements and the rules and regulations set by the diving association. Under no circumstances should you use the watch and its entirely mechanical depth gauge to replace a conventional, and in some cases mandatory, dive computer or other dive log equipment. The watch and its entirely mechanical depth gauge are intended solely for use as an auxiliary instrument for measuring dive time and depth. We recommend that you compare the results shown by the watch with the information provided by your dive computer to get a feel for the watch’s accuracy. If you are forced to rely on your watch and its entirely mechanical depth gauge in an emergency (malfunction of your dive computer or other scuba equipment), you must take into account the inaccuracies that may arise as a result of mechanical and physical factors. When using the watch, it is vital that you follow the operating instructions.
Each individual is responsible for their own safety. Do not exceed recommended or stated forces, depths, or other factors regarding safe use of the watch. Read and follow all warning labels, manuals, instructions, safety training or experience requirements for all dives. It is of the utmost importance that you are careful and cautious in that you review emergency procedures. Check the watch before each use; the watch must always be checked visually before a dive. If there is any obvious damage, condensation on the glass, water in the case, or other signs of malfunction, the watch must not be used to keep track of dive time or depth and should be taken to an IWC service centre for checking. Please also consult the IWC International Limited Warranty. IWC does not accept liability for damages caused by or relating to using the watch. The user accepts the risks inherent in diving. The watch is subject to conditions of extreme wear and corrosion during dives. Regular inspection of all functions and the water-resistance as well as maintenance to the components and strap are required to ensure continued performance. For regular scuba diving use, IWC recommends that you have your watch inspected at least once a year by an authorized IWC Official Agent or at the IWC service centre.
MARKING THE START OF A DIVE
The triangle on the rotating bezel can be aligned with the minute hand by turning the rotating bezel anticlockwise. The desired point in time (e.g. the time of entering the water at the start of the dive) can be set in this way. You can read off the elapsed time (e.g. the duration of the dive) on the rotating bezel. For safety reasons, the rotating bezel can only be rotated in an anticlockwise direction. The rotating bezel is indexed audibly and perceptibly in one-minute steps, and it is also legible in the dark thanks to the luminescent markings (if charged beforehand).
CLEANING THE WATCH AFTER DIVING
After diving – and especially after diving in seawater – you should rinse your watch under running tap water. This will prevent salt, sand and mud incrustations and deposits to settle on the case or functional elements such as the crown and the rotating bezel as well as on the bracelet or strap and clasp or buckle.
NOTE
Scuba products are subject to conditions of extreme wear and corrosion. Regular inspection and maintenance are required to ensure continued performance. For regular scuba diving use, IWC recommends that you have your watch inspected at least once a year by an authorized IWC Official Agent. Scuba-diving is an inherently dangerous sport and involves serious risks of injury or death. Scuba-diving should only be performed by individuals in good health and with the appropriate skills and training. You must follow all safety precautions and must be certified for diving. Even when following safe procedures, decompression sickness or other injuries may still occur.
You must follow all operating instructions for use of the diver’s watch. You are responsible for your safety. Do not exceed recommended or stated forces, depths or other factors regarding safe use of the watch. Read and follow all warning labels, manuals, instructions, safety training or experience requirements for all dives. Check the watch before each use. Be extremely careful and cautious. Review emergency procedures. Please also consult the “IWC International Limited Warranty”. IWC does not accept liability for damages caused by or relating to using the watch. You accept the risks inherent in diving.
INFORMATION ABOUT MAGNETIC FIELDS
Extremely strong permanent magnets are increasingly found in everyday objects and are an integral part of items such as fasteners on handbags, jewellery cases and cupboards, headphones and magnetic toys. The magnetic fields produced by such permanent magnets can negatively influence the precision of mechanical watches. Mechanical watches should be kept away from such magnetic fields.
However, should there be a sudden change in the precision of your timepiece despite your having taken precautions, please contact an authorized IWC Official Agent or an IWC service centre so that your watch can be demagnetized and restored by a specialist.
WATER-RESISTANCE

The water-resistance of IWC watches is stated in bar and not in metres. Metres, which are often used elsewhere in the watch industry to indicate water-resistance, cannot be equated with the dive depth because of the test procedures that are frequently used. The following are some examples for explanation: an IWC watch with an indicated water-resistance of 1 bar is protected against splashing water. With water-resistance of 3 to 5 bar, the watch can be worn when swimming or skiing, and at 6 to 12 bar it will have no problem with water sports or snorkeling. Diver’s watches with an indicated water-resistance as of 12 bar are professional measuring instruments designed for scuba-diving. Special diver’s watches resistant to 100 bar or 200 bar are suitable even for deep-sea diving. The recommended uses for IWC watches, depending on the degree of water-resistance, are established on this basis and on the basis of empirical data, and are indicated in the inserted table here.
Remember that temperature fluctuations and external influences – due to solvents, cosmetics or dust, or caused by shocks, impacts or sudden movements – can fundamentally affect the watch’s water-resistance. Therefore, before engaging in activities that could be potentially damaging to your watch (team sports, high diving, etc.), you are advised to put it in a safe place. Please also bear in mind that not every strap or bracelet is suitable for use in or under water because of the materials used in its construction. Furthermore, with the exception of diver’s watches, the moving parts of the watch (crown, buttons, etc.) should not be operated under water. Before wearing the watch in or under water, you should also ensure that all moving parts are in the “off” position.
It should also be noted that the water-resistance of a watch is not a permanent characteristic. Seals and sealing systems in particular are subject to wear and tear and natural ageing. To care for your IWC watch, please read the operating instructions carefully. After use in or under water, your watch should be rinsed with clear, fresh and lukewarm water and then cleaned and dried. The watch’s water-resistance should be tested regularly, and at least annually, by an authorized IWC Official Agent. Further instructions for care can be found in the corresponding operating instructions.
All the Aquatimer models feature an external/internal rotating bezel that is used to set dive times. The IWC SafeDive® system ensures that the internal rotating bezel can only be adjusted when the external bezel is rotated in an anticlockwise direction. As a result, even if the external bezel is accidentally moved, zero hour – the time at which the diver can return to the surface without the need for decompression stops – cannot be exceeded. Further instructions can be found in the corresponding operating instructions.
IWC SafeDive® is a trademark of IWC Schaffhausen registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.
SERVICING YOUR WATCH
The optimal service cycle for your IWC timepiece is exclusive to your watch and unique lifestyle. The necessary interval between services will be determined by your individual wearing habits – such as the frequency of wear, the environment(s) you live in and the intensity of physical activity you engage in. Your watch is a finely tuned mechanical instrument. The more carefully you handle your watch, the longer it will continue to function flawlessly. We simply recommend that you continue wearing your watch for as long as you please and to only entrust it for a service if you notice a deviation from the regular performance, function or timekeeping. In this case, we will be happy to return your watch to its original performance level as part of servicing.
CASE MATERIALS

No result found
For manuals from past collections, please contact our concierge who can provide you with the appropriate documents.
Send us a message through our online form.