The basic steps for most G-Shock models

Most G-Shock watches change the time through a combination of button presses, usually starting with holding the Mode button until the display shows a time-setting screen. The exact sequence depends on your model — a DW6900 works differently from a GA100 — but the pattern is consistent: enter time-set mode, navigate to the hour and minute fields, adjust them, and exit.

The fastest way to find your model's exact steps is to look at the small model number on the back of the watch case. Write it down, then search "G-Shock [model number] time setting" on the manufacturer's website or YouTube. G-Shock publishes instruction PDFs for every model, and video walkthroughs show the button sequence in real time, which is easier to follow than text alone.

If you no longer have the manual and cannot find the model number, try this general approach: press Mode repeatedly until you see a screen that shows hours and minutes in a different format than the normal time display — usually larger or with a cursor. Once you see that screen, you are in time-set mode.

Key Takeaways

  • Find your G-Shock model number on the back of the case and search for its specific time-setting instructions, because different models use different button sequences.
  • Most G-Shock watches enter time-set mode by holding the Mode button, but some use the Adjust button or a combination of buttons depending on the model.
  • Once in time-set mode, use the forward and backward buttons to move between hour and minute fields, then press Set or Mode to confirm and exit.
  • If you change the time incorrectly and the watch shows the wrong time, you can always re-enter time-set mode and correct it — there is no penalty for multiple attempts.

Finding your specific model's instructions

G-Shock makes hundreds of models, and the button layout varies significantly. A digital model like the DW5600 has four buttons arranged differently than an analog-digital model like the AW590, which has a different layout than a full-feature model like the GW9400. The manual for your exact model is the only reliable source.

The model number is printed on the back of the watch case, usually near the bottom. It starts with letters (like DW, GA, GW, or AW) followed by numbers. Once you have it, visit Casio's official G-Shock support page and search their manual library, or search YouTube for "[model number] time setting tutorial." Video tutorials often show the process in slow motion, which helps you see exactly which button to press and when.

If you bought the watch recently and still have the box, the manual may be inside or a QR code on the box may link to a digital version. Some retailers also include instruction cards in the box.

The general button sequence for digital G-Shocks

Most digital G-Shock models follow this pattern, though you should confirm with your model's manual before trying it. Hold the Mode button (usually on the upper left) for about two seconds until the display changes and you see a cursor or highlight over the hour field. The time display will usually shift or enlarge to show you are in edit mode.

Once in time-set mode, use the forward button (usually upper right) to increase the hour, and the backward button (usually lower right) to decrease it. Press the Adjust button (usually lower left) to move to the minute field. Repeat the process to set the minutes. When both are correct, hold Mode again or press Set to exit and save the new time.

This sequence works for many models, but some use different button names or require you to press buttons in a different order. That is why checking your manual first saves frustration.

Analog-digital and full-feature G-Shocks

Watches that combine an analog dial with a digital display, like the AW590 or GA100, often require you to set the analog hands separately from the digital time. These models usually have a dedicated hand-setting mode accessed through a different button sequence than the digital time mode.

For these models, you typically enter time-set mode, adjust the digital display first, then exit and enter a separate hand-adjustment mode to move the analog hands to match. Some models sync the hands automatically once you set the digital time correctly; others require manual adjustment. Your manual will specify which applies to your watch.

If you set only the digital time and leave the analog hands pointing to the wrong time, the watch will display two different times. This is confusing but not harmful — you can always re-enter the hand-setting mode and correct it.

What to do if you enter the wrong mode

If you press buttons and the display changes in an unexpected way — showing alarms, stopwatch, or other functions — you have entered a different mode, not time-set mode. Press Mode repeatedly to cycle through the watch's different screens until you return to the normal time display, then try again.

There is no way to accidentally damage the watch by pressing buttons in the wrong order. The worst that happens is you cycle through modes or change a setting you did not intend to change. You can always press Mode to exit and start over.

If you accidentally change an alarm time or other setting while trying to set the time, you can re-enter that mode later and correct it. Nothing is permanent until you confirm and exit the mode.

Syncing your G-Shock to the correct time

Before you change the time on your watch, make sure you know what the correct time actually is. Use your phone, a computer, or a clock you trust. G-Shock watches do not automatically update to network time the way smartphones do, so you have to set them manually whenever the time changes — for daylight saving time, for example, or when you travel to a different time zone.

Some G-Shock models with radio or Bluetooth capability can receive time signals automatically, but most cannot. Check your manual to see if your model has this feature. If it does, you may be able to enable automatic time sync instead of setting it by hand.

Once you have set the time correctly, check it against your phone or another clock to confirm. If it is off by a few seconds, that is normal — G-Shock watches are accurate but not atomic clocks.

Resetting the time if you make a mistake

If you set the time incorrectly and realize it after you exit time-set mode, straightforward re-enter time-set mode and adjust it again. There is no limit to how many times you can change the time. You do not need to reset the watch or clear any settings.

If you are unsure whether you set it correctly, compare it to your phone or another reliable clock. If it is wrong, enter time-set mode again and correct it. This process is the same every time.

Some G-Shock models have a 12-hour and 24-hour time format option. If your watch is displaying time in the wrong format, you may need to change that setting separately from the hour and minute adjustment. Check your manual for the format-change option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am in time-set mode?

The display will change noticeably — usually the time will appear larger, a cursor will appear over the hour or minute field, or the display will shift to show you are editing. If the watch looks the same as normal, you are not in time-set mode yet. Keep holding Mode or try a different button combination.

Can I change just the hour without changing the minutes?

Yes. Once you are in time-set mode, adjust the hour to what you need, then press the button to move to the minute field without changing it. The minutes will stay the same. Then exit time-set mode.

What if my G-Shock has no manual and I cannot find the model number?

Search YouTube for your watch's appearance or color along with "G-Shock time setting." You can also try the general sequence described in this article — hold Mode, adjust with the side buttons, and press Mode to exit — which works for many models. If that does not work, try holding different buttons or pressing combinations until you find the time-set screen.

Does changing the time affect the stopwatch or alarm functions?

No. Changing the displayed time does not affect alarms you have set or the stopwatch function. Those features operate independently. If you have an alarm set for 6 a.m. and you change the time, the alarm will still go off at 6 a.m. in the new time zone or adjusted time.

Why does my G-Shock show the wrong time after I set it?

The most common reason is that you set the time in 12-hour format when your watch is in 24-hour mode, or vice versa. Check whether your watch is displaying a.m./p.m. indicators. If it is, make sure you set the hour correctly for the time of day. You may also have exited time-set mode before confirming the change — try entering time-set mode again and confirming that the time you set is actually saved.