What is Back-Hacking... will it harm my watch? Watch and Learn #60

In today's episode of Watch and Learn, we will tackle the topic of back-hacking. I'll explain what it is, why it works, and most importantly what everyone is thinking. . . is it bad?
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Thank you for watching.

[@BarbaraA.MertzRN-CCRN]

This has been a LONG STANDING query of mine (50 YEARS!) - thank you SO MUCH for being the person to finally address it. I didn't even know what it was called until today!! THREE THUMBS UP! (where is that other thumb? I know I had it somewhere!)

[@rmelo5932]

Thanks for putting in the time and effort into making this video. I have been back hacking my 007, Orange Monster and Samurai for years, but I always wondered if it was somehow damaging the movement. You have put my mind at ease. Thank you again.

[@torx8301]

Hi Mark, what makes your videos so great, is your clear way of explaining how a watch works. Thanks a lot!

[@islandwatch]

Great to hear that, thank you.

[@5naxalotl]

i can't imagine you're wearing the clutch with back hacking. it *slides* when you set time, but when you back hack you transfer torque without sliding. no sliding no rubbing no wear this video cleared up a lot of detail that mostly people don't talk about. you can describe most of a watch by talking about the going train because that takes you all the way from power to balance wheel, so i was confused about the point of departure between the two trains, the time set mechanism, and of course the clutch. so thanks a bunch

[@jameslewis7220]

Great video. I discovered this by accident on my new SKX007, which convinced me not to change the stock movement. Love these videos. Please keep 'em going. Thanks

[@blueshirtbuddah1665]

Thanks Mark for a most interesting and informative video. This so far is my favorite Watch and Learn segment so far. Very well done, thanks again.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks, I really enjoyed this one.

[@MrBadger]

I found this video quite fascinating, thank you! My first automatic watch was a cheap Orient Mako I got new for about $80. IIRC it has one of the Seiko movements that is not wind-able nor hackable. A few months ago I accidentally discovered it was back-hackable. I had no idea that was a thing until I saw this video, but I was fascinated I could set it exactly with my two other wind-able, hackable Maratac watches. It's cool to understand the how and why, and how amazing the workings of these watches are.

[@andrewwilliamson3007]

Very informative Mark! I've honestly learnt so much from this series of videos, great content as always, keep up the good work Sir... greetings from N.Ireland 👍

[@islandwatch]

Thank you so much, greetings from cold Long Island!

[@WatchGeek]

Excellent video!!! I have seen a broken Omega Speedmaster that got the pallet fork stuck because of backhacking. It ended up getting the pallet fork replaced

[@islandwatch]

Good to know, so that confirms that going backwards is BAD

[@rajgill7576]

Another comments states that omega themselves directs users to backhack to set the watch. fail?

[@stevenfreeman7798]

There is a big difference between applying just enough pressure when the watch spring is not fully wound to stop the movement, and trying to force the movement backwards!. It is this that damages the watch. Common sense guys. Even Omega know this they just don't take into account how ham fisted people can be. Great vid Mark thank you.

[@Brandon-dq3vx]

That's interesting. I have a Speedmaster and the manual even recommends backhacking it to get it to synchronize perfectly with other clocks.

[@chronocommander007]

@@islandwatch And yet, in the Speedmaster manual, Omega gives instructions how to backhack.

[@davidcoleman2463]

Thank you . My vintage Bulova runs a little fast. Sometimes I set it back a min . I will stop doing this now .

[@davidsparling3505]

Thanks for the info, Marc! I back-hack my 7s26 movements, but something instinctively told me to just hold the second hand stationary...not make it run backwards. Liked hearing that confirmed by you.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks David.

[@emtivt]

I love these. It was very helpful not just to learn about back hacking, but also how the gears work to move the hands (which helps to explain why they attach the way they do). Thank you.

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome!

[@9201Tnt]

Great content! Thanks again for continuing to take the time to teach!

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome.

[@almoscola8684]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to break this down, great episode!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@C-NoteMac]

@@islandwatch I see what you did there lol.

[@justinstuart9109]

Thanks so much for taking the time to address this topic. Wonderful explanation!

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome.

[@groganb83]

I do this a lot with my SKX and have always wondered if I was harming the movement. Thanks for doing this video Marc.

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome.

[@ani625]

Very informative video again! Thanks Marc.

[@zamSEG]

hello mark. finally a detail video about this particular matter arise. thank you for this video. long awaited video. keep it coming. cheers. :)

[@timc8913]

Always learn something watching Marc’s videos. Thks Marc for sharing.

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome, thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@DragonSlayer850]

Mark, I want to thank you! You answered one of my life long questions, and in great details in layman's terms.

[@islandwatch]

Awesome, thank you!

[@tiberiu_nicolae]

Thanks for the excellent explanation! I thought I broke my watch when it went backwards, now I now why it happened.

[@islandwatch]

Yup, not broken!

[@itsalgud1459]

I just recently bought a vintage Omega and have been wondering about this. Thanks for clarifying!

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome!

[@Vidmr2407]

Great video! Good to see in the video what I have suspected for a while. I am particularly careful with vintage watches to avoid doing anything to compromise the cannon pinion friction fitting as i have had that problem with 1960s gruen precision and seikomatic watches. Thanks!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching.

[@xubairhanif963]

You are Genius ... Many reviewers talked about it but a seperate video and covering it in watch and learn is a genius ideas...I am sure lot of people will learn from it now

[@islandwatch]

Thanks, I hope so.

[@nate.or.nodate]

thanks for the insight Marc! have always wondered if this was bad for the movement!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks! Now you sort of know.

[@jamiefenner123]

This is a very good video I’m not very knowledgable on watches and this was very interesting and informative to me

[@1AlphaCrux]

This is why I bought a watch from you Mark, I found out about back-hacking recently and wanted to try it...now I know I shouldn't. Great video, many thanks!

[@islandwatch]

Glad you learned something, thank yo.

[@inabit1956]

Great video Marc. I always wondered how back hacking worked. Like how the sound gets a little louder when you zoom in (3:55). Gives the viewer that "i'm getting closer" feeling.

[@islandwatch]

LOL. Closer to the camera, closer to the microphone.

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Very informative, Marc. Thanks!

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome!

[@dskim24]

It's funny, I asked myself this very question and I think you hit upon the crucial point at around 15'40". I am not a watchmaker, but I am a huge enthusiast and love to think about watch movements. I mentally followed the act of back-hacking and I also feel that it's all about the interaction of the pallet jewels and the escapement. The entry jewel and the exit jewel would essentially be reversing roles. The biggest issue, I think, would be that the jewels would instead of receiving and imparting force on their blunt faces, would instead be raking along the wrong side of each escapement tine, but on the points of the jewels, not the blunt faces. I am right? I'm just an enthusiast, so I would like to hear from an expert. I have a couple of Seiko 5s with this movement. In fact, they are my "nicest" watches. I don't spend much money on watches, I just have fun bringing old Timexs back to life, Caravelles, etc.

[@DaveZula]

Awesome. I’ve been waiting for this. Thanks, Marc.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@Staggo_L]

I enjoy these learning videos a lot, even though I haven't a clue what you're talking about half the time. Watching these videos, for me, is like looking at the movement in operation through an exhibition caseback. I have no clue what's going on, but it's mesmerizing to view.

[@luiscastro5456]

hahaha

[@islandwatch]

LOL

[@manny7886]

Same here!!!

[@paulwilson3434]

excellent. you are one of the best teachers. thank you. I retired and I hope this to be a new past time bought some tools also.

[@Tendomcgoobin]

Congratulations on your retirement Paul

[@rangersmith4652]

Great video! I've been wondering about this.

[@ZeeshanKhamis]

Thank you so much for this in-depth breakdown. This puts my mind at ease :)

[@kevinleighuk]

Very helpfully explained. Thanks.

[@timcushing666]

Thank you for the class!

[@MM-cr7dq]

Great explanation Marc. I noticed I could can stop the second hand on my (non-hacking) Citizen auto, but didn't know how it worked. Great content and vid.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@stationplaza4631]

I love it when you get all technical. Thanks Marc. :-)

[@islandwatch]

LOL, me too.

[@oOoScarecrow31oOo]

Yeah Marc, talk dirty to me again... 😏

[@Br0ns0n]

Love "W&L" segments. Glad to see you are continuing them.

[@Perforator2000]

Funny, it's actually easier and faster to verbally say "Watch and Learn" than "W&L".

[@islandwatch]

Thank you! Faster to type to since I'm a touch typist, except for the shift+number characters.

[@donp2166]

I have back hacked my Amphibia a few times to set it. Now I understand what is going on. Great explanation!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching!

[@McRcFly]

Brilliant stuff. Thank you

[@ianbutler1983]

Thanks Mark, I appreciate your "public service" lessons to those of us who enjoy watches.

[@islandwatch]

I enjoy making them, thank you.

[@joet.plumber3771]

Great educational video man. Thank you so much.

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome.

[@Hobby-zn7ce]

Exceptional, thank you.

[@rhinegun3482]

Thanks Marc, well done.

[@philipjanes]

Good video Mark. Thanks.

[@wademullis7377]

Thanks Mark that was informative.

[@pedrosaenz2800]

Very interesting information. Thank you!! BTW difficult to do in vintage watches.

[@islandwatch]

Interesting, thank you.

[@cloudzrest]

Very cool hands-on explaination ! Thanks Marc

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!!!

[@gml6040]

Omega directs Speedmaster users to back hack to set the movement. I feel that qualifies it enough for me.

[@islandwatch]

That's a valid point.

[@kevin_howell]

I went through the manual of my new speedy and nowhere does it state that...

[@Brandon-dq3vx]

@@kevin_howell It's under the instructions for Caliber 1861

[@neilglucente]

Thank you for an outstanding explanation and demonstration of backhacking.

[@islandwatch]

Welcome!

[@adrienne4934]

Great info Marc. Thank you!

[@islandwatch]

Enjoy!

[@rongriffiths6545]

Fantastic video, very well explained, never heard of back hacking, but I treasure my watches too much to even try this. But thank you for sharing this information.

[@islandwatch]

Welcome!

[@miker5502]

Great video on the back hacking subject ...thanks Marc. M.

[@manny7886]

Thanks for the video. Very informative even though I won't be back hacking my SKX. I'll use a quartz watch if I want an accurate time or just check the time on my CP.

[@islandwatch]

Me too!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Good video! Always was curious.

[@melchizedekpsj]

Great video. Thanks for this series!

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome, thanks for watching.

[@melchizedekpsj]

@@islandwatch 🙏

[@cicco1838]

Thanks Marc so intresting video..

[@machine779]

Hello! Long time listener, first time caller. I just bought a seiko recraft automatic with 7s26 movement but to my knowledge does not back hack or manual wind. Why would there be variance like that within the same movement? Thanks!

[@mihamoto]

Very informative! Thanks a lot!

[@islandwatch]

Welcome!

[@TimedSquare]

Mark, thank you so much for this. I always suspected that going backwards was not a good idea - now I know exactly why! I don't set my watches to the second anyway, but my SKX013 will for sure never get a back hack from me anymore :) Cheers!

[@islandwatch]

Awesome, Thanks TSW!

[@offender0]

@@islandwatch I have an old Russian Poljot where to change the date its required to go backwards and forwards between 7 and 12 constantly (the watch only has 1 crown postion). Doing this causes the second hand to go backwards a bit. I wonder how how much effect it has on the movement giving that this is considered the "correct" way to change the date.

[@michaels3003]

With my inexpensive Seiko, it is hard to set the desired time (e.g., +15 seconds), because it runs unpredictably for a couple of days. Once it stabilizes, I can no longer stop the seconds hand.

[@islandwatch]

Could be too much torque at that point.

[@charlesvandergrift3126]

@PacoTaco0404040 I would guess not. The way I understand it, as the mainspring winds up (as it does from wearing it and an automatic won't overwind itself), the watch gets harder to backhack because backhacking involves overcoming the torque of the mainspring. When you backhack, you rotate the movement such that the mainspring rotates in the winding direction (when the movement runs normally, the mainspring is unwinding). So when a watch is fully wound, you may not be able to backhack it because to do so, you need to overcome the spring's torque. With a fully wound spring, that may not be possible.

[@michaels3003]

@PacoTaco0404040 , I really like the watch, but not being able to correct the time (by stopping it for several seconds) is annoying.

[@nmoddentity8401]

Fun video! I love seeing how mechanical watches work.

[@islandwatch]

Me too :) Never get tired of it.

[@rpm-autoracingthereplaysta9241]

When I set the day on the Orient Sun and Moon the manual says to wind backwards then forwards, is that not the same thing. The second hand goes backwards when I do this? Cheers, love the videos.

[@islandwatch]

It can, sure.

[@thidang9690]

I was wondering why the date on my seiko SPRD97 changes before midnight. Is that normal?

[@joneslarvell2075]

Absolutely phenomenal video! SO informative, Kudos Mark!!! Though… I am too scared to back hack my watch now 😂 Jokes aside it seems that, in theory, back hacking should not cause any problems if it is done with moderation and when the watch is almost completely unwound. Still, I have found out that it doesn’t take much force to go from back hacking to ‘reversing the time’, so I think I will stay away from that habit for some time! 😂 I have to admit though, when I first saw that second hand going backwards on my watch I though ‘wtf, I didn’t know this little thingie is a time machine!’ 😂🤣😂

[@triples4good]

Great video. Love that Squalematic.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@junjiesu8058]

Very nice and practical learning video, Mark👍

[@islandwatch]

Awesome, thank you.

[@armandojuan64]

Awesome video , Mark . What a beautiful Squale .

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@Johnydanerous]

Congrats on 60 ! and thank you for W&L

[@islandwatch]

Thanks. Doesn't feel like 60, does it?

[@dom252]

If this isn't bad for the movement, would I be right in thinking that means winding the watch minute hand backwards by a few mins to correct the time shouldn't be bad either (since that's basically what back hacking is)? I've got an SKX013 (7S26) and it tends to run fast. So if I want to correct it I should be fine to just wind back by a couple mins, no need to go forwards by 23h and 58mins (and reset the day/date)?

[@1Rolinha]

Thank you for the video! It answered a question I’ve had for quite some time now, and needed an answer from a reputable source. One question, when setting time to the second, what is the best source to use for accurate time?

[@islandwatch]

time.gov

[@1Rolinha]

Long Island Watch Thank you!

[@StefaanVdV1961]

Top info, thanks for sharing 👍👍👍

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@jhndijkman]

Good one always wanted to know this information on this very subject. Now I know, Nice.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@theguardian3431]

Thanks for this, Mark. I'm just curious, can I set the time back a few hours on a watch that can hack? I tend to do that when I travel to a different timezone.

[@islandwatch]

Yeah, I see no problem.

[@LanningKann]

How do you set the time on a watch with quick set date when it’s running fast? Go forward 24hrs then advance the date a full month? Seems a chore just to set the time back every few weeks when you can just reverse the minute hand a few minutes backwards.

[@michaelcloud9230]

nice informative video, thanks

[@dracovenit9549]

My SNXJ80 and my 7002 7000 both have back hacking, I had no idea how it was working as everything i read said they did not hack at all!!! I could stop the second hand and make it go backwards lol. Now I understand! Thank you! Kia kaha from New Zealand!

[@aurellio33]

Thanks for explaining that ive always wondered about the parts. Way i see it most 7s26 are +/-20 a day anyway so whats the point i just set mine to whichever minute GMT is at when the watch strikes 12

[@islandwatch]

Right

[@ghostindamachine]

Really cool! I learned something today :)

[@islandwatch]

Great to hear, thank you.

[@qusaymanchesterunited8004]

I have same problem, what should I do!? You suggested to open balance wheel & adjusted the lever or what?

[@BarnOwl61]

Thanks Mark, i did know about back hacking, but seeing is believing here. You explained it well.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching.

[@scottsj4625]

Thanks, Mark, good info.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks

[@jamesmeader6539]

Thanks for the tutorial, I've been wondering about this. I discovered back-hacking recently when I got my first mechanical watch. I found I could make the seconds hand stop and even move backwards but wondered if it could be harmful to the watch. After a bit of experimentation and after seeing your explanation, I've decided it really isn't worth the trouble and risk. When I go to get a stopped watch going, I just wait for the seconds hand on my reference timepiece to nearly match the position of the seconds hand on the stopped watch. At that point I give it a bit of the "Seiko shake" to get it running. After a bit of practice I can get it moving within a couple of seconds of the reference, and that is certainly good enough. Then I just set the minutes and hours hands to the correct values. No back hacking necessary.

[@gregalonzo747]

I think you should make a video on the different movements and how they compare to ETA. For example, Selita, STP, Soprod, and ISA. I have been quite impressed with the Selita in my Oris.

[@jasonkeith1725]

Great idea. Personally, I am only familiar with Eta and Selita.

[@thomasshaw4173]

Very cool suggestion. I would also be interested in an explanation of Seiko's various VK meca-quartz models.

[@chrismenes4995]

That would make for a great Watch and Learn episode. I get confused by the various movements.

[@toddshaw6457]

Very useful idea.

[@alexandermundy271]

Definitely, a great idea and Mark is the right person to do the video.

[@davidfeng9603]

Hi Marc,i have a question: about 20 days ago,i got my new Tissot T race Swissmatic model T115.407.17.041.00. It has a ETA C15.111 movement and it has no hacking second function..so when i set the time and slightly turned the minutes hand counter clockwise direction the second hand just bounded a little..so that damaged the movement or not? I did that again few days later when the watch was stopped,and the same thing happened again....i never did that again..till now the watch is working perfectly..so my watch is not damaged at all for what i did? I should not do that again? Please give some details,thank you!

[@MrAugban]

Thank you!

[@22Phanatic]

Just tried this on my SKX ! Love it

[@islandwatch]

:)

[@anthonyonline4740]

Hi. What if my SKX runs fast so every few days I need to put it back 1 minute? Is it ok to go backwards? Much easier than going forwards 23hrs, 59 minutes. Cheers! Look forward you your reply Mark.

[@TheLordstrider]

Hi, great video. I wonder, how can I set my snk809 accurately without having hacking?

[@wissamal-ashaq7575]

Another super content.. well done ..

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@PetrHosek]

Interesting. So when the crown is pulled and you don't touch it, all the hands should still be moved by the movement and the crown should be slowly rotating with them. And the added friction could perhaps slow down the movement a bit. I think I'll try this, since my watch is running faster, so every time I need to set the time it's a bit backwards, which I don't want to directly and to revolve everything forwards is a pain..

[@paulmiller8579]

Very informative.... Thankyou....

[@islandwatch]

Thanks.

[@Postmortumaz]

Great video and thanks for the SKX007 Mark. I let the watch sit on the table over night, to get the movement to a lower power and was successful back hacking. If this attempted at a high power it didn't back hack for me. So wait for low power and it works.

[@FernandoDaniel7]

I NEED SOME HELP OVER HERE! I was just taking photos of my Seiko 5 Sports (SNZD67K1 - Caliber 7S36A), and i was placing the hands at 10:10 (AM, not PM) and accidentaly i turned the crown backwards to 10:09am or 10:07am and while doing that, first, i noticed the seconds hand going backwards, it never stoped, and then i heard a click which i also felt it in the crown and then the seconds hand started to go clockwise again. That click actually frightened me a bit, i thought a gear got damaged and that the watch wouldn't change the day-&-date by itself, or that the palet fork was broken. I started to move the hands manually to see if it changed the day-&-date, it did. The seconds hand didn't get stuck, i didn't feel any clicks while doing that, then i placed the hands at 7:50am to change the day-&-date maually, it worked. It was a relief. Sort of... Now, after pulling the crown just one click to set the day or the date (not between 9pm and 4am as stated in the user's manual), and then pulling the crown out another click, when i move the crown forward to set up the time, instantly i feel and hear another click, similar to the one described above, but now i just don't know if that's meant to happen or if there's a damaged gear. This happened arround 40min ago.

[@friscokid66]

Great simple-easy-to-understand explanation. I'm just wondering if these movements were originally built to back hack? Or was it by pure coincidental luck that it is possible? The fact that you shouldn't back hack when it's fully wound w/too much torque, makes it sound like back hacking was not originally intended. But then car breaks basically work on same principle, but you do have to change the shoes once in a while. Just a thought....

[@metinpawel]

Will it work on Citizen Promaster with automatic Miyota?

[@That3DPrintGuy]

Switch to Decafe shaky!! :) Awesome as always and informative.

[@islandwatch]

Yeah, I know. It wasn't just coffee, it was empty stomach and extra strength excedrin too!

[@bruhmoment3169]

I have the exact same 7s26c movement but mine doesnt hack when i wind backwards