Thank you for your elaborate reply. I was about to decide to purchase a 4204 golden crown, as mentioned in this article: http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.nl/2009/01/omega-constellation-crowning-glories.html

But if I understand correctly, this crown will not fit my watch. Thus, I will skip that crown and order the one from Ofrei.

Hmm. I guess I should wait for it to arrive first.

 

Sure you can, but thing is not simple like that, the new crown can be "too yellow" (18k gold color) and you will prefer the old and worn one because it has the right matching color with the case.
Let's wait and see.

 

Just bought this crown for an incredible EUR 8,80 including shipping. The seller failed to provide sufficient information in his ad, so I assume that not many buyers found the ad. I think that it is the 4204. He claims that it is an unused original Omega crown, goldfill, tap90. If I don't like it or if it doesn't fit, I'll sell it on the Bay. http://www.mediafire.com/file/mm3gmu3zyy2/Omega_Constellation_Crowns.pdf

 

If you do this operation yourself, you'll want to be careful about a few things:
1)Take care not to scratch up the sides of the case in removing the crown
2) use it as an opportunity to clean up the parts--you don't want to introduce dirt into the case and movement by replacing the crown
3) once you've tested and friction fit all the parts, you'll want to loctite the female stem into the crown (and a proper pin vise is invaluable here).

This is all, of course, assuming that when you remove the original crown, you find both halves of the split stem in good condition and do not need to replace anything there.

 

Crown removal is discussed in this thread: http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?24205-Omega-Seamaster-crown-and-stem-removal

and over here: http://watchguy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Omega-The-monocoque-case-for-the-new-Seamaster.pdf / http://www.old-omegas.com/tool107.html

I think I'll ship it together with the watch when I get it serviced. They need to remove the crown to get to the movement, so they can replace it at the same time.

 

Enjoyed that top link. Especially these wise words when it comes to anything related to watches:

"There is No need to "put your shoulder" into anything connected with fine watchmaking...[ NEVER force anything, sit back and think, if you are forcing or using "your shoulder" you are quite simply doing it WRONG... Watches are designed to be taken apart easily, do not make your job any more difficult than it is by not thinking your job through before you start. The time spent thinking before you attempt to take apart your watch is more than the time and money required to "fix" damgage that occured because you the "watchmaker" did not take the few minutes thinking before you start.

A question to all....
Why do "watchmakers" make things so difficult on themselves?? Quit prying, gouging and otherwise brutalizing fine timepieces. Basically quit trying to re invent sealing wax. A little thought and life is simple. The watch tools are there for a reason, some have more than one use."

 

If the cut end of the stem is prepared properly, a pin vise is all that is needed to secure the crown to the stem. I rarely use Loctite on stems, and if I do it's usually on a quartz watch where the stem is fragile enough that you can't apply sufficient torque to tighten it without snapping the stem. Most of the time, Loctite is not needed.

Cheers, Al

 

One small downside I noticed is that the material underneath the bezel on the bottom of the face is damaged. Does this compromise ability to keep dust from coming in?

 

Very nice watch !!!........ I couldn't see what you mean by material underneath bezel. Tension ring? (It is the ring that hold the crystal in the place)

 

No, check the edge of the case underneath the bezel. The part in between the lugs where the strap is placed. Is this repairable?

 

it is like the tension ring is lifted up a bit, now thay I assess it more closely.

 

Now I see it. Never seen like this before, probably place where the tool place the tip to open the top.
Others experienced with open top watch probably could shed more light

 

Looks good to me. Nice score!

 

Jelle86, now the experts has chime in, stop worrying....and start enjoying

 

You just made my day..! Now I can enjoy it fully!

To celebrate it, I just ordered a dark brown unpadded genuine lizard strap by Hirsch. Updates will follow.

I cannot remember being as pleased with a watch as I am with this one. It just breathes quality and luxury. I can really recommend you guys to get one. Just wow.

 

You know that the first symptom of addiction, don't you?
It's a very slippery slope from there. Especially if you continue to hang around this forum.....