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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Case & Dial

Lever set

Setting arrangement in which a small lever under the bezel must be pulled out before the crown will set the hands.

Explanation

Lever setting is the system, standard on American railroad-grade pocket watches, in which the hands are set by pulling out a small lever under the bezel rather than by the crown. Because the lever cannot be moved accidentally, it prevented conductors from unknowingly changing the time — a safety requirement written into railroad rules. Railroad watches are also typically pendant-wound and lever-set together.

In the object catalogue

Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Lever set”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.