Folks,
Is this a correct crown for a 2998, and if not, would appreciate knowing the correct dimensions as I continue my search.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ome...857583?hash=item3ad20839af:g:WtoAAOSwKOJYJhbSPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

yep!

 

Thanks, but I was 45 minutes late.

 

They dimensions in the ebay listing are about correct. 6.75mm diameter. The other key thing that's much harder to verify is the tap size, that is, the size of the thread that the stem screws into. For speedmaster, it should be 1mm, and for railmaster, they're 0.9mm.

Good luck in your search!

 

Maybe it's not too late.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/252643343256?_mwBanner=1Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

There's another one that's been around for a while, but at $650..

 

@oddboy is correct.......in part.
Vintage Tap Sizes:
Speedmaster 1.0mm
Railmaster 1.2mm
Seamaster 0.9mm

 

I would be a bit hesitant to buy a used crown for my 2998. They have a seal that wasn't intended to be reused. The seal is integral to protecting the interior of the watch and these watches are getting to be quite valuable. When mine was serviced the watchmaker did not take off the crown. He would have replaced it if it didn't pass the pressure test. It's a lot of dough for a part that may not function well and is so important.

 

Can't the gasket be replaced?

 

That would be my assumption. Get a replacement crown and take the gasket off put it on the old one and done ... but I'm not a watch maker.

 

Thanks all, I bought (hopefully correct crown) from the Mexico City eBay seller that @oddboy referenced.
The 2988 will go to a very good watchmaker in Oregon....he knows what to do.

 

Here is the style of crown we are talking about...I think this picture is of a modern Speedmaster crown, but the construction is the same as the vintage crowns:



Note that the gap where the case tube goes into the crown is quite narrow. The gap between the post that the stem screws into and the next part is smaller than the seal that goes in the crown. To force a seal through this gap (if you can get the old seal out) would damage the seal. The part that covers the seal is a washer that is swaged in place after the seal is installed into the crown. That washer would have to be removed, the seal replaced, and then the washer put back and properly secured.

Not saying it's impossible to do, but it's certainly not as easy as you might think it is.

Cheers, Al

 

Kind of sort of on topic, but any recommended places for service? Craig in Oregon isn't taking anyone any more.Any one use Alex Hofberg in Oregon?

Thanks,
Chris