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Clover Crown for 501 Movement.

Danwales
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Hello, so I recently aquired a seamaster in need of a little attention. The old stem had snapped off inside the crown and looking to keep costs down I thought I would try the old Alum trick and dissolve the stem. This has worked to a degree, the old stem has gone. Only thing is, the crown gasket ( probably a 60 year old piece of rubber )has perished to nothing. So, my questions are

Is it possible to get a new gasket for the crown?

Should I just buy a new Clover crown ( £25 on ebay)

Will any Omega clover crown fit the 501 movement?

I was trying to dissolve the stem so that when I handed the watch over for service the original could be used and my watch repairer wouldn't have to go through the bother of dissolving it himself.
 
SkunkPrince
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He might have had another method he would have preferred, but what is done is done.

It were my watch (and sometimes it has been!) I would use the brand-new crown. Any new part that you can get away with is a part with no wear to account for. You'll get a new crown gasket and the threads for the stem will be fresh and new.

If the new crown costs ten times that much and would cause me to eat out of trash bins, that's a different story.
 
X350 XJR
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Crown size/type is determined by the case reference not just by the caliber of the movement. You need to know what the case tube size is.
 
Danwales
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
He might have had another method he would have preferred, but what is done is done.

It were my watch (and sometimes it has been!) I would use the brand-new crown. Any new part that you can get away with is a part with no wear to account for. You'll get a new crown gasket and the threads for the stem will be fresh and new.

If the new crown costs ten times that much and would cause me to eat out of trash bins, that's a different story.

Ha. No I won't be scavenging out of the bins. I think that's sound advice. What I will end up probably doing is leaving it to him. I just like to hand over all the bits that I know are needed as it saves on waiting for parts at service. I am in no rush though and I have learned a trick with the Alum
 
Danwales
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X350 XJR X350 XJR
Crown size/type is determined by the case reference not just by the caliber of the movement. You need to know what the case tube size is.

Ah, now that is good to know. Best left to the watch repairer then methinks
 
SkunkPrince
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Danwales Danwales
Ah, now that is good to know. Best left to the watch repairer then methinks
Mine told me to stop being so helpful! I used to do the same, but generally don't anymore.
 
seekingseaquest
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Danwales Danwales
Hi, it's a 2846
Should be a 2.5mm tube, 0.9mm stem. These clover crowns came with both 2mm and 2.5mm tube sizes so make sure you get the right one. I personally prefer to use the original “flat-foot” Omega logo vintage crowns but definitely not good for water resistance..
 
Danwales
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seekingseaquest seekingseaquest
Should be a 2.5mm tube, 0.9mm stem. These clover crowns came with both 2mm and 2.5mm tube sizes so make sure you get the right one. I personally prefer to use the original “flat-foot” Omega logo vintage crowns but definitely not good for water resistance..
Thank-you, that's really helpful. Not overly concerned with water resistance myself. Do you happen to know a supplier or is it just happy hunting?
 
seekingseaquest
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Danwales Danwales
Thank-you, that's really helpful. Not overly concerned with water resistance myself. Do you happen to know a supplier or is it just happy hunting?
eBay, and patience. However, I wouldn’t assume that another vintage one will have a better gasket than your current one.
 
Danwales
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seekingseaquest seekingseaquest
eBay, and patience. However, I wouldn’t assume that another vintage one will have a better gasket than your current one.

My one doesn't have a gasket anymore but then again I don't know how effective the gasket crown is against moisture anyway. I have seen a new one with the dimensions you suggested for £35. More than I would like to pay but then running old omegas is probably the horological equivalent of running an old rolls Royce. Prices won't be cheap
 
Archer
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Danwales Danwales
Hello, so I recently aquired a seamaster in need of a little attention. The old stem had snapped off inside the crown and looking to keep costs down I thought I would try the old Alum trick and dissolve the stem. This has worked to a degree, the old stem has gone. Only thing is, the crown gasket ( probably a 60 year old piece of rubber )has perished to nothing. So, my questions are

Is it possible to get a new gasket for the crown?

Should I just buy a new Clover crown ( £25 on ebay)

Will any Omega clover crown fit the 501 movement?

I was trying to dissolve the stem so that when I handed the watch over for service the original could be used and my watch repairer wouldn't have to go through the bother of dissolving it himself.

Crowns are case parts, not movement parts. You didn't say what the case material is for your watch, but here is a new yellow gold version I put on this case number of watch last year:



If your case is steel, change "SX" in the p[arts number to "ST", and if it's pink gold, change it to "SY".

The condition of the crown seal, case tube, case back (there is a gasket that goes inside it) and case will all impact the ability to get the watch back to the condition where it can have water resistance. I was able to do this easily with the one I serviced last year. and it passed pressure testing just fine.

Here's a before and after shot:



Cheers, Al
 
Danwales
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Archer Archer
Crowns are case parts, not movement parts. You didn't say what the case material is for your watch, but here is a new yellow gold version I put on this case number of watch last year:



If your case is steel, change "SX" in the p[arts number to "ST", and if it's pink gold, change it to "SY".

The condition of the crown seal, case tube, case back (there is a gasket that goes inside it) and case will all impact the ability to get the watch back to the condition where it can have water resistance. I was able to do this easily with the one I serviced last year. and it passed pressure testing just fine.

Here's a before and after shot:



Cheers, Al
Thank-you very much. The watch is steel. I think a new crown is the only way as the threads look worn. I thought I would give the alum method a go as I would have saved myself a few quid but hey ho , no point in cutting corners.
 
Danwales
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Apparently Gleave and Co London, have this part. Looks a useful shop for watch parts.
 
SkunkPrince
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Danwales Danwales
Apparently Gleave and Co London, have this part. Looks a useful shop for watch parts.
Once again, the part will likely cost less directly from Omega and you don't have to supply this part, your watchmaker has resources never dreamt of in your philosophy.
 
Danwales
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Once again, the part will likely cost less directly from Omega and you don't have to supply this part, your watchmaker has resources never dreamt of in your philosophy.

Maybe, but I am unsure if my very reasonably priced watchmaker has access to an Omega account. I shall ask.
 
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