Eventing functions

The previous model offered a programmable countdown with an alarm at zero, or timing from zero with a beep every minute. This model offers:

• A programmable countdown with audible signals starting at 30 seconds, becoming increasingly prominent during the last 15 seconds until zero. As before, the watch then switches to timing mode. A beep also sounds at each full minute remaining.
• If the countdown is set to 1 minute or less, no alarm sounds before the last 3 seconds. The watch then starts timing from zero, with one beep per minute. This function lets you start the watch without having to worry about it while you get your horse into the starting box.
• Timing from zero with a beep every minute, as before, and now programmable timing up to the optimum time for the cross-country phase: beeps every minute, then, during the last 30 seconds of the optimum time, beeps at 30 seconds and then at 15, 14, 13… seconds before the optimum time.

The buttons

The screen displays, among other things, the AM / PM, COUNT DOWN, COUNT UP indicators and the bell icon (beep enabled).

Setting the time

1. Set the watch to clock mode by pressing MODE. This mode is identified by the two dots flashing between the hours and minutes, and by the AM or PM indicator at the top of the screen.
2. Hold CLEAR down for approximately 2 seconds, until the hour digits flash.
3. Press MIN until the correct time is displayed:
   • each press advances the clock by one hour;
   • holding the button down for a few seconds makes the hours scroll quickly;
   • The clock uses a 12-hour format, with an AM/PM indicator.
4. Once the hour has been set, press MODE: the hours are confirmed and the minutes flash. Set the minutes with MIN, in the same way.
5. Once the hours and minutes have been set, press CLEAR once more: the clock is set and starts running, and the screen stops flashing.

Switching from the clock to the timer

1. Press MODE: the watch switches from the time (TIME) to the countdown timer (COUNTDOWN).
2. Press MODE again to switch to the stopwatch (COUNTUP).
3. Press MODE again to return to the clock (CLOCK) and see the time.
4. You can switch from the clock to the timer and vice versa with MODE, whether or not the timer is running.
5. In timer mode, there are 2 options: COUNTDOWN or COUNTUP. As soon as you set one, the other is no longer available: if you set a countdown time, you cannot set a stopwatch, and vice versa.

Countdown mode (COUNTDOWN)

Time from zero (in countdown mode)

1. From clock mode (CLOCK), press MODE to access the first timer option. If the timer is stopped and reset to 00:00, the screen displays the word COUNTDOWN. If the timer is running, first press STOP, then CLEAR. The screen then displays 00:00.
2. Press START/STOP: the timer counts up from zero in minutes and seconds, up to a maximum of 59 minutes 59 seconds. The screen then displays COUNTUP.
3. During timing, you can stop and restart the timer as often as necessary (for example, if you are stopped on the course).
4. A beep sounds at each minute: a short beep at seconds 57, 58 and 59, followed by a longer beep at second 00 of the full minute.

Programmed countdown

1. Press MODE to access COUNTDOWN mode. The timer must be stopped and at zero: the screen displays 00:00 and COUNTDOWN.
2. Set the minutes with MIN and the seconds with SEC. The screen displays the programmed time, which will generally be your optimum cross-country time.
3. Press START/STOP: the timer counts down in minutes and seconds toward zero. The screen displays COUNTDOWN.
4. During the countdown, a beep sounds at each full remaining minute. A short beep sounds at seconds 03, 02, and 01, followed by a longer beep at second 00.
5. You can stop and restart the timer as often as necessary during the countdown (for example, if you are stopped on the course).
6. During the last 30 seconds of the programmed period, additional warning beeps sound: one long beep at 30 seconds, then short beeps at 15, 14, 13, 12… seconds, followed by one long beep at zero (end of the optimum time).
7. At zero, the timer starts counting up. The screen then displays COUNTUP.

Stopwatch mode (COUNTUP)

Counting up from zero (in COUNTUP mode)

1. From clock mode (CLOCK), press MODE to access the first timer option. If the timer is stopped and reset to 00:00, the screen displays COUNTDOWN. If the timer is running, first press STOP, then CLEAR; the screen then displays 00:00. Press MODE again: the screen displays COUNTUP.
2. Press START/STOP: the timer counts up from zero in minutes and seconds, up to a maximum of 59 minutes 59 seconds.
3. During timing, you can stop and restart the timer as often as necessary.
4. A beep sounds at each minute: a short beep at seconds 57, 58 and 59, followed by a longer beep at second 00 of the full minute.

Programmed timing

1. Press MODE to access COUNTUP mode. The timer must be stopped and at zero: the display shows 00:00 and COUNTUP.
2. Set the minutes with MIN and the seconds with SEC. The display shows the programmed time, which will generally be the optimum time for your cross-country round. It remains displayed until you press START/STOP.
3. Press START/STOP: the timer counts minutes and seconds from zero. The display shows the word COUNTUP.
4. During timing, a beep sounds at each elapsed minute: a short beep at seconds 57, 58 and 59, followed by a longer beep at second 00.
5. You can stop and restart the timer as often as necessary.
6. During the final 30 seconds of the programmed period, additional warning beeps sound: one long beep at the 30-second mark, then short beeps at 15, 14, 13, 12… seconds, up to one long beep at the programmed time (the end of the optimum time).
7. Once the programmed time is reached, the timer continues counting. The display still shows COUNTUP.

Tips for eventing

• Turning off the beeps: you can turn off the alarm beeps at any time by holding down MODE for 2 seconds. A beep confirms that the sound has been enabled or disabled, and the bell icon is displayed when the sound is enabled.
• At the finish: if you stop the timer as you cross the finish line, the display shows a number of seconds (and possibly minutes).
  • If the final beep has not sounded (in countdown mode, COUNTDOWN is still displayed), you can calculate how many seconds (and possibly minutes) under the optimum time you are.
  • If the final beep has sounded (in countdown mode, the display then shows COUNTUP), you can calculate how many seconds (and possibly minutes) over the optimum time you are.

If you use the countdown

1. If you prefer the countdown to the stopwatch but want to start your watch before the starter says “Go,” ask them to warn you approximately 30 seconds before the start. Set your watch to the optimum time PLUS 30 seconds. Start the watch when the starter announces “30 seconds,” then use the remaining time to get your horse into the starting box, making sure the watch is running. This is very useful for horses that do not like entering the starting box.
2. If you have the same problem getting your horse into the starting box but prefer to time from zero (with beeps every minute), you can use a countdown of less than one minute WITHOUT the countdown alarms. Ask the starter to warn you when 30 seconds remain and set a 30-second countdown: the timer beeps at 3, 2, 1, 0, then starts counting. You therefore do not need to start the watch while getting your horse into the starting box. The minute beeps are automatic during timing.

If you use programmed timing

1. To receive the alarms during the last 30 seconds, you must start the watch when the starter says “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go.” In this mode, it is not possible to add 30 seconds to the optimum time.
2. If you have difficulty getting your horse into the starting box, the 30-second countdown method described above (beeps at 3, 2, 1, 0, followed by automatic timing with beeps every minute) also applies.

Wearing the watch

• The watch is worn on the wrist like a regular watch. Its elastic strap also allows you to wear it over clothing. If the screen is difficult to read this way, the entire timer casing can be rotated in its outer clip for a better viewing angle.
• If you prefer to wear the watch on the back of your hand, remove the timer from the outer clip and remove the elastic strap from the clip. The outer clip can then be sewn onto a glove using the 2 holes already present in the clip. Then put the timer back into the clip at the angle that suits you.

Turn off the beep

If you prefer to use the watch solely as a visual reference, you can turn off the beep:

1. Press and hold MODE for approximately 2 seconds.
2. A short beep confirms the operation, and the bell icon in the top left of the screen disappears: the beep is turned off.
3. To restore the beep, press and hold MODE until you hear the beep and see the bell icon reappear.

Replace the battery

The battery is a CR 2032 lithium battery.

1. Remove the timer from the outer clip.
2. Using a screwdriver, remove the watch's 6 screws and separate the case back from the front to access the inside. At this point, locate the arrow and the word TOP, which must be positioned directly behind the START/STOP button.
3. The battery is located in a holder, UNDER an insulating label. Carefully peel this label off the old battery so you can reuse it: it MUST be put back in place after the battery change.
4. A screw holds the battery retaining bar: remove it, then remove the old battery.
5. Using a metal object, connect the 2 contacts in the “reset” area visible on the printed circuit board. This is a good precaution to avoid electrostatic charges.
6. Install the new battery, taking care not to hold it between your fingers on both faces, the − and + contacts. Replace the battery retaining bar.
7. REPLACE the insulating label. This is essential.
8. Check that the gasket is correctly positioned in the groove of the case back. A small amount of silicone grease helps ensure water resistance.
9. Replace the case back, positioning the word TOP correctly. On the TOP side, the back has 2 small plastic tabs that must fit into 2 small holes at the top of the front.
10. Screw in the 6 screws that secure the case back, without overtightening them to avoid damaging the threads.
11. Check that the display and beep are working.

Change the battery using the replacement kit

Optimum Time's OS3 / OE3 battery replacement kit contains everything you need to easily change your watch battery: battery, screwdriver, rubber gasket, silicone gel, tweezers and replacement screws.

Replace the battery and rubber gasket

1. Remove the screws from the back of the watch with the supplied screwdriver and carefully remove the case back.
2. Using the tweezers, carefully remove the contact sticker attached to the battery and keep it to put it back later.
3. Loosen the battery retaining bar and remove the old battery.
4. Important: Discharge the watch's residual current. To do this, using the supplied tweezers, place one tip on the battery contact spring and the other on the battery compartment, beneath the battery arm.
5. Insert the new battery, positive side (the side with the inscriptions) facing up. Handle the new battery as little as possible, holding it by the sides. If necessary, wipe it with a soft cloth.
6. Replace the battery retaining arm.
7. Important: replace the battery contact sticker so that the watch functions correctly.
8. Reset the watch: using the tweezers, touch the two contact points in the “reset” area. The display returns to 12:00 (see below for setting the time).
9. Before replacing the case back, inspect the rubber gasket: it must be properly seated in its groove, with no cracks or signs of aging; replace it if necessary. To replace the gasket, put a little silicone gel on your fingers and slide the new gasket between your fingers to coat it lightly. Carefully place it back in its groove using the tweezers, checking that it is properly seated.
10. Replace the case back, aligning it correctly: the “TOP” mark on the back must be aligned with the START/STOP button on the front.
11. Carefully screw the screws back in.

Setting the watch time

1. Press and hold CLEAR for 3 seconds.
2. The hour flashes: set it with MIN.
3. Press MODE to confirm the hour: the minutes will flash.
4. Set the minutes with MIN.
5. Press CLEAR to confirm.

Adjusting the elastic strap

There is a right and wrong way to adjust the elastic strap: follow the method below to prevent it from coming undone.

1. Place the watch on your wrist and thread the elastic through the loop from bottom to top.
2. Pull the elastic until it is as tight as desired and secure it by closing the loop firmly.
3. Slide the elastic keeper over the excess elastic to tuck away the loose end.

Incorrect method: the end of the elastic hangs freely outside the loop. Correct method: the elastic comes out through the top of the loop, and its end is held in place by the keeper.

Resetting the watch

Electronic devices sometimes need to be restarted. It is not always possible to know why, but whether it is a computer, phone, or this watch, it is not a sign of a fault. Restarting restarts the processor and allows the watch to return to normal operation.

1. Press and hold START/STOP and CLEAR together for 5 seconds.
2. All screen segments and icons light up.
3. Then release the buttons: the watch is reset.

For any questions, please contact us.

Manufacturer: Optimum Time Limited, Peterborough (United Kingdom). Content based on the manufacturer's instructions (French section, checked against the English version). “Changing the battery with the replacement kit” section: French translation of the manufacturer's instructions.