User Manual

Time, Captured on Your Wrist

Time is intangible, yet it plays an undeniable role in our lives. It is always present – a silent witness to our daily moments and conversations. With a Van Ree watch, this invisible dimension is given a face: a precise, mechanical instrument designed to make every second visible and meaningful.

At Van Ree Watches, tradition and innovation come together. With over 20 years of expertise, we create refined timepieces that reflect our passion for style, precision and timeless elegance. Every Van Ree watch guarantees high quality and offers the perfect combination of beauty, functionality and comfort on the wrist.

Welcome & Personal Card

Thank you for choosing a Van Ree watch. To enjoy your watch for many years, we recommend that you carefully read the instructions on this page. With your watch, you receive a personal card. This card is linked to your watch and is required for future service or maintenance.

For service and maintenance, the personal card must be fully and correctly completed, include the date of issue and the reference number of the watch, and be presented in legible, unaltered form.

Important: If the personal card is missing, incomplete, altered or illegible, service or maintenance may be refused.

Care & Maintenance

Your Van Ree watch is a finely crafted instrument that deserves proper care to preserve its beauty and performance over many years. Following the guidelines below will help you keep your watch in optimal condition.

General Care

Watches are exposed to dust, perfume, perspiration, salt water and chlorinated water. These elements can affect the metal, seals and strap over time. To protect your watch:

• Wipe the case and bracelet regularly with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
• For watches with a water resistance of 5 ATM or higher, you may gently rinse the watch with cold water and mild soap – but only if the crown is securely screwed down and the glass is intact.
• Avoid hot water, saunas, jacuzzis and extreme temperature changes.

Please note: leather straps are not resistant to moisture and should be kept dry.

Mechanical Watches (Automatic)

Your Van Ree automatic watch has a mechanical self-winding movement driven by the motion of your wrist – no battery is required. For optimal performance:

• Wear the watch daily where possible, so the movement remains fully wound.
• If you do not wear it every day, wind it manually twice a week to keep the movement running smoothly.
• Have the movement checked and serviced approximately every 3–4 years, or annually in case of intensive use.

Water Resistance

Water infiltration is one of the most common causes of damage in watches. To protect your Van Ree watch from moisture and pressure:

• Check the condition of the glass, crown and pushers regularly.
• Do not expose the watch to water if there are visible cracks, chips or other damage to the crystal or case.
• Always ensure the crown is fully pushed back and, if applicable, screwed down after setting the time or date.
• Never operate pushers under water, even if the watch is rated as water resistant.
• Have the water resistance tested once a year, especially before the swimming or holiday season.

Water Resistance Ratings

The water resistance rating of your watch is engraved on the case back. As a general guideline:

• 3 ATM: Resistant to splashes and brief contact with water. Not suitable for swimming or water sports.
• 5 ATM – “Water Resistant 5 ATM”: Suitable for brief immersion and swimming, but not for diving. An annual seal check is recommended.
• 10 ATM – “Water Resistant 10 ATM”: Suitable for most water sports (not for diving). An annual seal check is recommended.
• 20 ATM – “Water Resistant 20 ATM”: Equipped with a screwed crown and reinforced gaskets. Suitable for intensive contact with water. Annual control by a specialist is essential.

Important: After every operation, always return the crown to Position I (fully pushed in and, if applicable, screwed down) to maintain water resistance.

Using Your Mechanical Watch

Your Van Ree watch combines refined mechanics with timeless design. The following guidelines describe general operation. Always consult the specific specifications for your model to see which functions are available.

Manual Winding

Crown in Position ① (not pulled out): If the watch has not been worn for a longer period, wind it manually. Turn the crown clockwise several times to start the movement. For a power reserve of more than 56 hours, approximately 25–30 turns of the crown are required. During normal wear, the watch will automatically wind itself through your wrist movements.

Quick Date Setting (if available)

Crown in Position ② (half pulled out): Turn the crown to adjust the date. The watch continues to run during date adjustment, so you do not need to reset the time afterwards.

Setting the Time

Crown in Position ③ (fully pulled out): The seconds hand stops (hacking function). Turn the crown clockwise or anti-clockwise to set the correct time. When passing 12 o’clock, check whether the date changes: if the date changes, the watch is indicating midnight; if it does not change, it is midday. Push the crown back to Position I afterwards, and screw it down if applicable.

Chronograph Function (if present)

On models equipped with a chronograph, you can measure elapsed time precisely. Press the Start/Stop pusher to start or stop the chronograph. Press Start/Stop again to resume timing. Only after stopping the chronograph, press the Reset pusher to return the chronograph hands to zero.

Note: Use the Reset pusher only when the chronograph is stopped.

Tachymeter Scale (if present)

On models with a tachymeter scale, you can measure the average speed over a distance of 1 km. Start the chronograph when passing the starting point, stop it after 1 km, and read the speed in km/h from the tachymeter scale at the position of the central chronograph hand.

Long-Term Care

Your Van Ree / Hagedoorn movement is a high-precision mechanism and should be serviced regularly by a trained watchmaker to maintain its performance. By treating your watch with care and following these guidelines, you will enjoy a perfect balance of style, functionality and craftsmanship for many years to come.