Screw down crown?
Discussion
Could someone tell me if the crown on this watch should screw down to offer some water resistance ?
As you can see it's an Omega Seamaster 300m and was left to me by my father in law. A few years ago the crystal fogged over in damp conditions and I subsequently sent the watch off to be serviced and there was a new case tube bonded in.
Afterwards I put the watch away and haven't worn it since. Looking at the watch today, the crown doesn't want to screw down and there aren't any obvious threads exposed.
The crown guard looks to be in shocking condition in that photo but it's actually not too bad.
As you can see it's an Omega Seamaster 300m and was left to me by my father in law. A few years ago the crystal fogged over in damp conditions and I subsequently sent the watch off to be serviced and there was a new case tube bonded in.
Afterwards I put the watch away and haven't worn it since. Looking at the watch today, the crown doesn't want to screw down and there aren't any obvious threads exposed.
The crown guard looks to be in shocking condition in that photo but it's actually not too bad.Yes, it should screw in.
My Seamaster starting doing the same, crown wouldn’t screw in when in was about 15 years old. Had the crown and whatever associated parts replaced, can’t remember how much but it wasn’t a huge amount on top of a service.
10 years on at its just starting to do the same again, takes 3 or 4 attempts for it to “catch” and screw in.
I’ve just put it down to wearing out, and will get it sorted next time it’s serviced.
My Seamaster starting doing the same, crown wouldn’t screw in when in was about 15 years old. Had the crown and whatever associated parts replaced, can’t remember how much but it wasn’t a huge amount on top of a service.
10 years on at its just starting to do the same again, takes 3 or 4 attempts for it to “catch” and screw in.
I’ve just put it down to wearing out, and will get it sorted next time it’s serviced.
Thankyou for your replies.
I'd not heard of the 'press it in and wind anti-clockwise till you feel/hear a click, and (while still pressed in) start turning clockwise' technique?' Unfortunately didn't work but a great tip nonetheless. It'll come in useful sooner or later.
Try as I might the crown won't catch so perhaps the tube has come out.
Here's a photo of the tube being fitted. I did comment at the time that it looks a bit skew whiff but was assured all was in hand.
Unfortunately the watchmaker was recommended by an associate (knowledgeable in these things) who acted as an intermediary and the work was done in 2019 so there's little chance of comeback.
Ah well, you live and learn. A recommendation for a reliable Omega watch maker would be much appreciated.
I'd not heard of the 'press it in and wind anti-clockwise till you feel/hear a click, and (while still pressed in) start turning clockwise' technique?' Unfortunately didn't work but a great tip nonetheless. It'll come in useful sooner or later.
Try as I might the crown won't catch so perhaps the tube has come out.
Here's a photo of the tube being fitted. I did comment at the time that it looks a bit skew whiff but was assured all was in hand.
Unfortunately the watchmaker was recommended by an associate (knowledgeable in these things) who acted as an intermediary and the work was done in 2019 so there's little chance of comeback.
Ah well, you live and learn. A recommendation for a reliable Omega watch maker would be much appreciated.
loughran said:
A recommendation for a reliable Omega watch maker would be much appreciated.
I’ve used Watch doctors in Tring for several services and repairs on both mine any my wife’s Seamasters and other watches. They offer a mail order service if not local for you.https://watchdoctors.co.uk/
Emily's dad said:
loughran said:
A recommendation for a reliable Omega watch maker would be much appreciated.
I’ve used Watch doctors in Tring for several services and repairs on both mine any my wife’s Seamasters and other watches. They offer a mail order service if not local for you.https://watchdoctors.co.uk/
They’re not far from me.
loughran said:
Thankyou for your replies.
I'd not heard of the 'press it in and wind anti-clockwise till you feel/hear a click, and (while still pressed in) start turning clockwise' technique?' Unfortunately didn't work but a great tip nonetheless. It'll come in useful sooner or later.
Try as I might the crown won't catch so perhaps the tube has come out.
Here's a photo of the tube being fitted. I did comment at the time that it looks a bit skew whiff but was assured all was in hand.
Unfortunately the watchmaker was recommended by an associate (knowledgeable in these things) who acted as an intermediary and the work was done in 2019 so there's little chance of comeback.
Ah well, you live and learn. A recommendation for a reliable Omega watch maker would be much appreciated.
That picture is an amazing joke unless it's real! I'd not heard of the 'press it in and wind anti-clockwise till you feel/hear a click, and (while still pressed in) start turning clockwise' technique?' Unfortunately didn't work but a great tip nonetheless. It'll come in useful sooner or later.
Try as I might the crown won't catch so perhaps the tube has come out.
Here's a photo of the tube being fitted. I did comment at the time that it looks a bit skew whiff but was assured all was in hand.
Unfortunately the watchmaker was recommended by an associate (knowledgeable in these things) who acted as an intermediary and the work was done in 2019 so there's little chance of comeback.
Ah well, you live and learn. A recommendation for a reliable Omega watch maker would be much appreciated.
To answer the OP, yes, the tube has an internal thread and is usually friction-fitted into the case with some threadlock or epoxy for good measure.
If it hasn't been fitted correctly (... saying nothing!), or if you're just unlucky, the bond between case and tube can fail and the threaded section will stay stuck to the crown and rotate the tube. In which case your 300M divers watch is less waterproof than a 30M dress watch.
If you're lucky it may just be that the threads have worn out and it won't grip anymore. The way to check is with magnification as you play with the crown. The case tube shouldn't move.
Any Swatch accredited place will do a good job on it. It's a durable and widely serviced watch with a decent movement and great parts availability.
Edited by glazbagun on Friday 15th September 21:20
pidsy said:
I have a Rolex that hasn’t been serviced since new (1990) - would you recommend them for that type of job?
They’re not far from me.
I’ve had no issues with the work done on our Omegas, I can’t see why they wouldn’t do a good job on your Rolex.They’re not far from me.
I can only suggest that if you’re nearby, pop in and speak to the staff and see what you gut tells you.
Emily's dad said:
pidsy said:
I have a Rolex that hasn’t been serviced since new (1990) - would you recommend them for that type of job?
They’re not far from me.
I’ve had no issues with the work done on our Omegas, I can’t see why they wouldn’t do a good job on your Rolex.They’re not far from me.
I can only suggest that if you’re nearby, pop in and speak to the staff and see what you gut tells you.
Thanks for that.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff