A stepping motor for use in an electronic timepiece in which a rotor is stable on an axis of static equilibrium at an angle from 0.degree. to 30.degree. with respect to a center line of the air gaps between stator pole pieces. The relationship between the stator pole pieces and the rotor is such that the phase difference between driving torque and attraction force applied to the rotor ranges from 60.degree. to 90.degree. by an electrical angle in a normal rotation of the rotor and ranges from 90.degree. to 120.degree. in a reverse rotation of the rotor.