I've heard the opposite - on watches without hack I've heard its best to set the time backwards as winding forwards could cause the balance to run too fast and cause damage.

I always however set my watches either forwards or backwards as long as I cover the shortest distance and I do it slowly.

Watches without hack you can temporarily stop the movement by applying a little back pressure when in the setting position. Once you let go it starts up again so this is only useful for synchronsing the time and nothing else you still have to adjust the time with the balance running.