Silly question for Calibrating thermometer

Maybe I am trying to overanalyze this but here goes:

Today before I started  the egg, I removed the thermometer, held with pliers in boiling water and it read approx 150*.  Well, I am at about 3900' above sea level.  According to the info I found on the web, my water should boil at approx 205*.  I allowed the thermometer to cool slightly and put the pliers on the nut on the back and turned the body until I thought I was close.  Repeated dipping into the still boiling water until needle held just on the high side of 200*.  Did I do this correctly OR does it make a difference if I were to hold the device and turn the nut?