diff --git a/src/codex32/_bitcoin_core.py b/src/codex32/_bitcoin_core.py
index b2689ea5..b1eae17c 100644
--- a/src/codex32/_bitcoin_core.py
+++ b/src/codex32/_bitcoin_core.py
@@ -449,12 +449,15 @@ def initialize(
                     continue
                 # Checked last, after any wait above: a pruning node keeps pruning while it waits.
                 self.check_history(timestamp)
+                # Core's "now" is its tip's time: the genesis block's on an offline signer that never
+                # synced, and watch-only exports carry it. A new wallet takes this computer's clock,
+                # a day early like a record's date, so a fast clock cannot skip its first payments.
                 records = core_descriptors(
                     secret,
                     account=account,
                     testnet=self.chain != "main",
                     private=True,
-                    timestamp=timestamp,
+                    timestamp=max(0, int(time.time()) - 86400) if timestamp == "now" else timestamp,
                 )
                 imported = self._rpc(
                     "importdescriptors",
diff --git a/tests/test_bitcoin_core.py b/tests/test_bitcoin_core.py
index f0ecee7e..557f7962 100644
--- a/tests/test_bitcoin_core.py
+++ b/tests/test_bitcoin_core.py
@@ -391,6 +391,7 @@ def test_encrypted_import_retries_without_a_passphrase_verifies_and_relocks(
         "_rpc",
         lambda client, *args, wallet=None, stdin=None: rpc(client, *args, wallet=wallet, stdin=stdin),
     )
+    monkeypatch.setattr("codex32._bitcoin_core.time.time", lambda: 1_700_000_000.5)
     client = BitcoinCore("bitcoin-cli", "main", 300000)
     messages: list[str] = []
     delays: list[int] = []
@@ -411,7 +412,8 @@ def unlock(seconds: int) -> None:
     assert arguments == ("importdescriptors",) and wallet == "signer"
     assert private_stdin is not None and private_stdin.endswith("\n")
     records = json.loads(private_stdin)
-    assert len(records) == 4 and all(record["timestamp"] == "now" for record in records)
+    # A new wallet's "now" is this computer's clock less a day, not Core's tip (genesis offline).
+    assert len(records) == 4 and all(record["timestamp"] == 1_700_000_000 - 86400 for record in records)
     assert all("xprv" in record["desc"] for record in records)
     assert all("xprv" not in " ".join((*args, selected or "")) for args, selected, _data in rpc.calls)
     assert sum(args[:2] == ("-named", "derivehdkey") for args, _wallet, _stdin in rpc.calls) == 4