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60’s Omega Watch Repair

Dr.K
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Hi all,

I recently had a watch repaired by a well know on the forums maker who specializes in omega. I received my watch back in excellent condition, however the replacement crown is impossible to wind. This was right before COVID, and wasn’t able to send it back to be looked at since.
Now he isn’t responding.

Does anyone have any vintage omega watchmakers they recommend?

Thanks!
 
DaveK
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Did you check his profile to see when he was last logged in?

Re another watchmaker, where abouts do you live?
 
JwRosenthal
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Can’t speak to the what the watchmaker did but I have several factory replacement crowns that have gaskets that are just like you describe- almost impossible to wind or set without tearing up my fingers. It’s not a problem with the mechanism, it’s the friction of the rubber gasket on the tube and will loosen up with time- but feels like an eternity and makes me not want to wear the watches.
I posed this question not long ago regarding the same issue and many helpful members recommended a tool like this
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-crown-winder-tool/

They come in different sizes (crown sizes 4-5mm, 5-6mm, 7-8mm)and there are other makers but the principle is the same.
 
Spruce
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Probably best to return it to the original repairer, if you can.

Where is your repairer based?

Another member of OF may be able to put you in touch or advise you of any issue with him or, possibly, contact him on your behalf.
 
Spruce
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Can’t speak to the what the watchmaker did but I have several factory replacement crowns that have gaskets that are just like you describe- almost impossible to wind or set without tearing up my fingers. It’s not a problem with the mechanism, it’s the friction of the rubber gasket on the tube and will loosen up with time- but feels like an eternity and makes me not want to wear the watches.
I posed this question not long ago regarding the same issue and many helpful members recommended a tool like this
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-crown-winder-tool/

They come in different sizes (crown sizes 4-5mm, 5-6mm, 7-8mm)and there are other makers but the principle is the same.


Good advice, these crown winders are really useful.
 
JwRosenthal
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Spruce Spruce
Good advice, these crown winders are really useful.
I know there are member here with Teflon fingers and wash their hands with pumice stone - they roll their eyes at this kind of thing. But some of us have delicate features.
 
Spruce
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And, for watches with semi-hidden crowns, they’re essential

B1E9D733-75FE-43EF-AB2D-56FEFD88D5D3.jpeg EBE8A9E9-EC36-4002-93FC-B59D36C805CF.jpeg
 
ChrisN
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I don't know who the watchmaker is but, many of us are "of an age"😗. There don't seem to be many younger watchmakers starting out and because of this, I know of a few watchmakers in UK who are "self isolating" and not taking on work. This may seem a bit odd as we spend most of the time at the the bench but, if you have a shopfront or more than one person in the workshop, it could be the safest thing to do. We've all had to make some changes and, for example, I work a system where I put all packages that arrive into an isolation zone for a few days, which is probably overkill but doesn't affect me too much. That watchmaker may also be directly affected by the virus and not able to respond.

You're probably communicating with him via his work email and he may not be reading it at all. Has it been long since you first asked about this issue?

As has been mentioned, some new seals are very stiff and if that watchmaker is on the forum, look to see when they were last active.

Good luck and I hope it gets resolved soon, Chris
 
DON
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When I added new crowns. I placed a touch of watchmakers grease on the case tube which made winding easier.

You could try a little dab of vaseline on the case tube and see what happens.

Could also go to your local mechanic and ask for a little dab of grease

Pull out crown to setting position and touch a tiny amount to post and spread around.

DON
 
Archer
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Dr.K Dr.K
Hi all,

I recently had a watch repaired by a well know on the forums maker who specializes in omega. I received my watch back in excellent condition, however the replacement crown is impossible to wind. This was right before COVID, and wasn’t able to send it back to be looked at since.
Now he isn’t responding.

Does anyone have any vintage omega watchmakers they recommend?

Thanks!

Quick question - does the crown wind about the same forwards as backwards? There will naturally be a little more resistance when winding forwards because you are winding the movement, but if it's also quite difficult when winding backwards, it's likely the crown seal as others have suggested.

If there is a massive difference winding forwards compared to backwards, then there may be a movement issue. What watch is this specifically?

Cheers, Al
 
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