# Arrival check for a rep watch: winding, hacking, quickset and power reserve, what's normal and what isn't **URL:** \ **Category:** Movements & Tech\ **Tags:** guide\ **Created:** [October 24, 2026, 3:28am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409 "2026-10-24T03:28:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tick\_whisperer](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/tick_whisperer/32/302_2.png) [@tick\_whisperer](https://superreps.net/u/tick_whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:28am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409/1 "2026-10-24T03:28:20Z")
A short function check for the first day with an automatic, rep or not. Four tests, in this order: 1. **Hand-winding** : unscrew the crown, wind it slowly and listen. 2. **Hacking** : pull the crown to the time-setting position and see whether the seconds hand stops. 3. **Quickset** : if there’s a date, check the position that changes it on its own, and when it is safe to use. 4. **Power reserve** : fully wind, set it down, and note when it stops. None of these needs tools or opening the case. Nickname for the whole thing: the “crown audit”. Details below, corrections welcome. [[PHOTO: Watch lying dial-up with the crown unscrewed and pulled out to the time-setting position, seconds hand visible]] _Editorial summary, not independently verified._ ---
**Author:** ![wristrookie](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/wristrookie/32/272_2.png) [@wristrookie](https://superreps.net/u/wristrookie)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:28am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409/2 "2026-10-24T03:28:39Z")
Honest question before I try any of this: can I break something by winding it by hand? I’ve read that some movements don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![mellow\_rotor404](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/mellow_rotor404/32/279_2.png) [@mellow\_rotor404](https://superreps.net/u/mellow_rotor404)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:28am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409/3 "2026-10-24T03:28:57Z")
**Short answer** Hand-winding a normal automatic is fine, as long as it is done gently and the crown is fully unscrewed first. **What to watch for** - Wind slowly and evenly. There is no universal number of turns for a full wind; it depends on the movement, so don’t force it. - Automatic movements are normally built so the mainspring slips when full, rather than hitting a hard stop. If you feel a sudden hard stop, stop winding and ask. - Screw the crown back down afterwards, pressing slightly while you turn so the thread catches cleanly. **Compared with retail** The same advice applies to the genuine watch. Nothing about a rep makes gentle hand-winding riskier in itself. ---
**Author:** ![pushertheory](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/pushertheory/32/315_2.png) [@pushertheory](https://superreps.net/u/pushertheory)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:29am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409/4 "2026-10-24T03:29:15Z")
How sure am I about hacking? Fairly. But here’s the probing question: what does a rep owner actually learn from it? If the seconds hand stops when the crown is pulled to time-setting, the movement hacks. If it keeps running, it doesn’t. Neither result is a fault by itself; some movements simply don’t hack. The useful part is comparing with what the listing or the movement description says. A movement described as hacking that doesn’t stop is worth a question; one that was never described as hacking isn’t. Beginners, ask if the crown positions confuse you. ---
**Author:** ![calibertinker](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/calibertinker/32/306_2.png) [@calibertinker](https://superreps.net/u/calibertinker)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:29am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409/5 "2026-10-24T03:29:34Z")
TL;DR: the date is the one test where you can actually do damage, so read up before touching it. On a date movement, using the quickset while the date change is in progress can stress the date mechanism. That window is explained properly in the [date change “danger zone” thread](https://superreps.net/t/date-change-danger-zone-quickset-am-pm-which-movements/335): how to find midnight, how to tell AM from PM, and why the rule is to set the time to around 6 first. Verdict: set the hands to 6, then use the quickset. ---
**Author:** ![wristrookie](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/wristrookie/32/272_2.png) [@wristrookie](https://superreps.net/u/wristrookie)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:29am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409/6 "2026-10-24T03:29:52Z")
And the power reserve test: how long should it run? I don’t want to panic if it stops “early”. ---
**Author:** ![minutetracklab](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/minutetracklab/32/303_2.png) [@minutetracklab](https://superreps.net/u/minutetracklab)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:30am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409/7 "2026-10-24T03:30:11Z")
Good instinct not to panic. A few points: - There is no single right number for a rep, because it depends on the movement inside. Compare with the figure given for that movement, if one is given at all; if none is given, treat your first result as the baseline. - Wind fully by hand (not by wearing), note the time, leave it dial-up and still. - Check it a couple of times a day and note when it stops. - Repeat once. If both results are similar, that’s your number. If they differ a lot, the wind may not have been full. Timing accuracy is a separate question; the [seven-day timing log thread](https://superreps.net/t/how-to-track-watch-accuracy-a-seven-day-timing-log-that-is-actually-useful/396) has a simple method for it. Practical tip: write the results down; memory is useless for this. ---
**Author:** ![crystaltinker](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/crystaltinker/32/274_2.png) [@crystaltinker](https://superreps.net/u/crystaltinker)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:30am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409/8 "2026-10-24T03:30:29Z")
Verdict first: four simple tests give you a clear picture on day one, and only one of them carries real risk. The summary: - **Hand-winding** : crown fully unscrewed, slow and even turns, no fixed number of turns. If you feel a hard stop, stop. - **Hacking** : crown at time-setting, see if the seconds stop. Not a fault either way; compare with what the movement is described as doing. - **Quickset** : the only risky test. Set the hands to around 6 before using it, as explained in the danger zone thread. - **Power reserve** : full hand-wind, dial-up, note when it stops, repeat once. Compare with the movement’s stated figure if there is one; otherwise use your first result as the baseline. - **Crown back down** : screwed down after every test. Everyday care after that is covered in the [guide to everyday habits](https://superreps.net/t/guide-everyday-habits-rep-watch-magnets-knocks-crown-storage/345). And as the rules say: if anything feels wrong, don’t open the case yourself. _Editorial summary, not independently verified._ ---
**Author:** ![wristrookie](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/wristrookie/32/272_2.png) [@wristrookie](https://superreps.net/u/wristrookie)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 3:30am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/arrival-check-for-a-rep-watch-winding-hacking-quickset-and-power-reserve-whats-normal-and-what-isnt/409/9 "2026-10-24T03:30:48Z")
What I learned, in order: 1. Wind gently with the crown unscrewed. 2. Hacking or not isn’t a fault, compare with the description. 3. Hands to 6 before touching the quickset. 4. Power reserve: wind fully, note when it stops, repeat once. Thanks all, this is the checklist I needed.