The basic steps for most G-Shock models

To change the time on a G-Shock, press the Mode button repeatedly until you reach the timekeeping display, then hold the Adjust button to enter time-set mode. The display will show hours, minutes, and sometimes seconds in a format you can edit. Use the up and down buttons to change each value, press Adjust to move to the next field, and press Mode again when finished.

The exact button sequence varies slightly between G-Shock lines — digital models, analog models, and hybrid models each have their own layout. The core principle stays the same: Mode gets you to the right screen, Adjust enters edit mode, and the directional buttons change the numbers. Most watches complete the process in under a minute once you know which buttons to press.

If you have not changed the time before, the first attempt takes longer because you are learning the button positions. After that, the muscle memory builds quickly. G-Shock buttons are small and close together, so press deliberately rather than quickly to avoid overshooting.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Mode until the time display appears, then hold Adjust to enter time-set mode on most G-Shock watches.
  • Use the up and down directional buttons to change hours and minutes, and press Adjust to move between fields.
  • Different G-Shock families — DW, GA, GW, and others — use the same button logic but may label or arrange buttons differently.
  • If your watch has a manual, the time-set sequence is usually on the first or second page, with a diagram showing which button is which.

Finding the Mode button and entering time-set mode

The Mode button is almost always on the upper left of the watch face. Pressing it cycles through the watch's different screens: timekeeping, alarm, stopwatch, timer, and settings. Count the presses as you go — most G-Shock models cycle through four to six screens before looping back to the start. Stop when you see the time display with hours and minutes clearly visible.

Once the time screen is active, hold down the Adjust button (usually upper right) for about two seconds. The display will flash or highlight the hours field, signaling that you are now in edit mode. If nothing happens, you may be on the wrong screen — go back to Mode and try again. Some models require you to hold Adjust longer, up to three seconds, before the edit mode activates.

Changing hours, minutes, and seconds

After you enter edit mode, the hours field will be highlighted or flashing. Press the up button (usually the top right button) to increase the hour, or the down button (usually the bottom right button) to decrease it. Hold the button to cycle through quickly, or tap it once per hour if you need precision. The hour field wraps around — after 23 comes 00 in 24-hour format, or after 12 comes 01 in 12-hour format, depending on your watch setting.

Once the hour is correct, press Adjust to move to the minutes field. The minutes will now highlight. Use the up and down buttons the same way to set the correct minute. Some G-Shock models show seconds as a third field; if yours does, press Adjust again and set seconds the same way. When all fields are correct, press Mode to exit edit mode and save the new time.

If you overshoot a number, keep pressing the button in the same direction — the field will wrap around and you can reach the correct value from the other side. For example, if you need hour 08 but you are at 10, press up twice more to cycle through 11, 12, 13, and so on until you reach 08 again.

Differences between G-Shock families

G-Shock watches come in several design families, and each has a slightly different button layout. The DW series (classic digital square) has buttons on the left and right sides. The GA series (analog-digital hybrid) spreads buttons around the case. The GW series (radio-controlled and solar) often has more buttons because of extra features. Despite these differences, the time-set logic is identical: Mode to navigate, Adjust to edit, directional buttons to change values.

If you own a model from a different family than you expected, the manual is the fastest way to confirm the button order. G-Shock manuals are usually available as PDFs on the Casio website — search for your model number (printed on the case back) plus "manual" to find it. The manual will show a diagram with each button labeled and the exact sequence for setting the time.

What to do if the watch is in 12-hour or 24-hour format

G-Shock watches can display time in either 12-hour format (with AM/PM) or 24-hour format (military time, 00 to 23). If your watch shows 12-hour format and you set the hour to 13, it will display as 01 PM instead. If you prefer 24-hour format, you can usually change this in the settings menu, though the process varies by model.

To change the time format, enter the settings menu by pressing Mode until you reach a screen labeled "Set" or "Settings," then use Adjust and the directional buttons to toggle between 12H and 24H. Not all G-Shock models allow this change — some are locked into one format. If your manual does not mention a format setting, your watch is fixed in whichever format it shipped with.

Resetting the time if you make a mistake

If you set the time incorrectly and want to start over, press Mode to exit edit mode without saving, then repeat the process from the beginning. The watch will not save changes until you press Mode to confirm, so you can press Adjust and the directional buttons as many times as you need without affecting the actual time.

If you have already exited edit mode and saved the wrong time, straightforward re-enter edit mode and adjust the hours and minutes again. There is no penalty for changing the time multiple times — the watch will accept each new entry as the correct time.

Syncing the time with an atomic clock or phone

Some G-Shock models, particularly the GW series, can receive time signals from atomic clocks or sync with your phone via Bluetooth. If your watch has this feature, you can set the time automatically instead of entering it manually. Check your manual for the sync procedure — it usually involves pressing a specific button combination or opening a companion app on your phone.

Atomic sync is more accurate than manual setting and eliminates the need to adjust for daylight saving time in most cases, since the watch receives the correct time from the network. However, manual time-setting is still useful when the watch is out of range of a signal or when you need to set a different time zone temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my G-Shock keep reverting to the wrong time?

The battery may be low, causing the watch to lose its time setting. Replace the battery and set the time again. If the watch continues to lose time after a new battery, the internal timekeeping circuit may be damaged and the watch may need professional service.

Can I change the time while the stopwatch or alarm is running?

No. You must be on the main timekeeping screen to enter time-set mode. If an alarm or stopwatch is active, press Mode to return to the time display first, then proceed with the time-set steps.

What if I do not know my model number?

The model number is printed on the case back, usually near the bottom. It starts with letters like DW, GA, or GW followed by numbers. Once you have it, search for "[model number] manual" to find the PDF with the exact button sequence for your watch.

Does changing the time affect the alarm or timer?

No. Changing the displayed time does not affect alarm times or timer durations. If you set an alarm for 7:00 AM and then change the watch time, the alarm will still ring at 7:00 AM in the new time zone.

How often should I adjust the time on my G-Shock?

Standard G-Shock quartz watches lose or gain a few seconds per month, so checking the time against a reliable source once a month and adjusting if needed is reasonable. Radio-controlled models (GW series) sync automatically and rarely need manual adjustment unless they are out of signal range.