Rolex Quickset vs. Non Quickset: What's the difference?

The core difference between a Rolex Quickset and Non-Quickset function is convenience: a Quickset mechanism allows you to change the date independently by turning the crown, while a Non-Quickset movement requires you to wind the watch hands through a full 24-hour cycle for each day you need to advance. This mechanical distinction significantly impacts the daily experience of owning and wearing the watch, especially if it's not worn every day.

Here is everything you need to know to decide whether a Quickset or venerable Non-Quickset movement is the right fit for you.

Rolex Quickset Date Function

Introduced in the late 1970s, the Quickset feature modernized the Rolex date function, allowing the wearer to rapidly adjust the date without affecting the time. By pulling the crown out to its second position, the date can be changed with a few simple turns, a process that takes only seconds. This was a major leap forward in user-friendliness for the iconic watchmaker.

• What it is: A modern watch movement function that enables the owner to set the date independently of the hour and minute hands.
• Key features: The date is adjusted by pulling the crown out to a specific position (usually the second) and turning it. The watch continues to keep time while the date is adjusted.
• Movement: A more complex mechanical movement that incorporates a separate gear train dedicated to the date-setting function.
• Pros: Extremely convenient and time-saving, ideal for those who rotate watches and often need to update the date after a few days of non-use. Reduces wear on the time-setting components.
• Cons: A more complex mechanism with more parts can, in theory, introduce more points of potential failure over decades of use. Lacks the "purist" appeal of older models for some vintage collectors.

This function is perfect for the modern watch owner who values practicality and ease of use in their daily routine.

Learn more about the brand: rolex.com

Rolex Non-Quickset Date Function

The Non-Quickset is the original, traditional method for setting the date on a Rolex watch, found primarily in models produced before the late 1970s. This mechanism is beautiful in its simplicity but requires patience. The user must manually rotate the main hands past midnight for the date wheel to advance one day - a process one must repeat for every day they need to move forward.

• What it is: The classic date-setting mechanism in vintage Rolex watches that links the date change directly to the 24-hour cycle of the main time-telling hands.
• Key features: The date is adjusted by a full rotation of the hour and minute hands past the 12 o'clock midnight position. Changing the date by several weeks is a time-consuming manual task.
• Movement: A simpler, robust movement that forgoes the extra gears needed for an independent date-setting function.
• Pros: Simpler mechanical design is exceptionally robust with fewer components to malfunction. Highly desirable for vintage purists who appreciate the history and mechanical authenticity.
• Cons: Setting the date is a slow and cumbersome process. The constant winding puts more wear on the crown tube and time-setting parts over time. It can be frustrating if you frequently don’t wear the watch.

The Non-Quickset function is best suited for vintage collectors who enjoy the traditional engineering and character of older timepieces.

Learn more about the brand: rolex.com

Rolex Quickset vs. Non-Quickset Comparison

Ease of Use & Convenience

There is no contest here: the Rolex Quickset function offers vastly superior convenience. Adjusting a Quickset model after a month with 30 days is a matter of seconds. Performing the same task on a Non-Quickset watch requires slowly cycling the hands through 24 hours. If a watch sits for a week, advancing the date from the 10th to the 17th would require you to turn the crown and watch the hands cycle past midnight seven full times, which can feel tedious.

The Quickset feature transformed the user experience and is the reason it became the standard. The Non-Quickset is best left to dedicated enthusiasts who find charm in the manual interaction required to maintain a vintage timepiece.

Movement & Technical Complexity

The mechanical difference is the heart of the comparison. A Non-Quickset movement is simpler. The date wheel is directly engaged with the watch's main gear train, advancing once every 24-hour cycle. The mechanism is reliable and proven over many decades.

The Quickset feature introduced an additional set of gears, allowing the crown (in the second position) to disengage from the hands and engage directly with the date wheel. While it is more technically complex, Rolex built these movements to the same high standards of durability, making them exceptionally reliable in their own right.

Historical Context & Model Availability

The choice between the two is often a choice between vintage and modern. The Non-Quickset function is characteristic of watches produced before the late 1970s. This includes vintage Datejust, Submariner, and Day-Date models that are highly sought after by collectors for their historical importance and unique aesthetics.

Post-1970s, Rolex began to transition its entire date-complication lineup to Quickset functionalities. Nearly every modern Rolex with a date window now features a Quickset, making it the standard technology for the contemporary brand.

Durability & Maintenance

Both systems are engineered to last a lifetime with proper care. A classic argument is that the simpler Non-Quickset has fewer parts that can fail. While mechanically true, the constant winding required to set the date can cause premature wear on the crown, stem, and setting gears.

On the other hand, a properly serviced Quickset mechanism is designed to handle its function flawlessly. Servicing either type requires the expertise of a qualified watchmaker, with costs being generally comparable. Regular maintenance at authorized service centers will ensure optimal performance for both mechanisms.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both functions reflect Rolex's history of masterful engineering, but they serve very different users.

Choose Quickset if:

• You own multiple watches and rotate them frequently.
• You value modern convenience and prefer a quick, easy setup.
• You are focused on buying a newer or contemporary Rolex model.
• Practicality and ease of use are your biggest priorities over vintage authenticity.

Choose Non-Quickset if:

• You are a collector or enthusiast specifically looking for a vintage Rolex.
• You appreciate the historical context and mechanical purity of older timepieces.
• You enjoy the hands-on, ritualistic process of setting your watch.
• You plan to wear the watch daily, which will keep the date mostly accurate once set.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Rolex Quickset and Non-Quickset?

The main difference is that a Quickset allows you to change the date directly and independently of the hands via a specific crown position. A Non-Quickset requires you to spin the main hour and minute hands through 24-hour cycles to advance the date one day at a time.

When did Rolex introduce the Quickset feature?

Rolex started rolling out the Quickset feature in the late 1970s, becoming standard on most models with a date complication by the early 1980s. This timeframe is often used as a key marker for distinguishing vintage from neo-vintage or modern models.

Is it bad to adjust the date on a Non-Quickset Rolex?

It is not inherently bad, but the process does induce more wear on the crown and setting mechanism over decades than using a Quickset would. However, these components are designed to be robust and replaceable during regular servicing.

Is a Rolex with a Quickset function more expensive?

Among vintage watches from the transitional period, a Quickset-equipped model can sometimes command a slight premium for its added convenience. For the most part, though, a watch's value is more heavily dependent on the model, reference number, condition, rarity, and provenance.

Why would anyone choose a Non-Quickset watch today?

People choose Non-Quickset models for their vintage charm, historical importance, and mechanical simplicity. For passionate collectors, the process of setting the watch is part of the ownership experience and connects them to a different era of watchmaking.

Which Rolex models have the Quickset feature?

Almost all modern Rolex models with a date window, like the Datejust, Submariner Date, GMT-Master II, and Explorer II produced since the early 1980s, feature a Quickset function in some form.

What is a "Double Quickset"?

A "Double Quickset" typically refers to the Day-Date model, where both the day of the week and the date of the month can be changed independently and rapidly. The term is sometimes also used to describe the function on a GMT-Master II, which allows for independent setting of the local hour hand in one-hour jumps.

What is the proper way to set a Non-Quickset date?

To properly set the date, pull the crown out to the time-setting position and gently turn the crown clockwise to advance the hour and minute hands. As the hands pass 12 o'clock midnight, you will see the date change. To advance multiple days, repeat this 24-hour cycle until the correct date is displayed.