What does 'adjusted to five 5 positions' means on a watch caliber?

Answer 1

Adjustment to Position is adjustment to maintain the same rate of balance wheel oscilation, regardless of which of the specified positions the watch is in. There are a total of six positions. Unfortunately, the number or the positions to which the watch is adjusted isn't specified for most watches built prior to 1905-1908. Typically, unspecified adjustment to position means adjustment to 3 positions, but there are a number of instances in which it means 5 positions. Adjustment to 3 positions most likely means stem up, stem at the 3 o'clock position and stem at the 9 o'clock position. Watches adjusted to 5 positions include the dial up and dial down positions. The 6th position is stem down at the 6 o'clock position. Since temperature variation is usually greater than positional variation, watches marked to be adjusted to position include adjustment to temperature. A high grade Swiss watch marked to be adjusted usually implies adjustment to all positions. "All" may be 5 or 6 positions.

Answer 2

"Adjusted to five positions" means the watch movement has been fine-tuned to operate accurately in various orientations (typically with the crown up, crown down, and on each side) and under different conditions to ensure consistent timekeeping. This adjustment helps improve the overall precision of the watch.