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Crown is rigid, Getting a Callus on the thumb from winding this Speedy.

Steve.M.
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It’s no easy feat to take this piece off to put on another piece... While the dial is rewarding and the 44.25mm** case hovering over the Ulna rather comfortably winding this piece every 48 hours is a task… it’s been precise during my ownership since winter of 2023 the crown is rigid, hard to wind but easy to move the hands. Is there any easy and quick solution out there other than overhauling this piece? Thank you in advance;
Steve

IMG_8903.webp
Edited:
 
JimInOz
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One of these, there are other variants much cheaper.

s-l960.webp


Or try one of these.

Screenshot 2025-04-02 at 12.30.47.webp
 
Evitzee
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If it needs an intervention putting it off won't solve your problem. Something is obviously wrong with the movement.
 
dsio
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That’s one of my favorite models, and one of the rarest non-LE modern Speedmasters, very cool.

I have had a couple of Speedmasters with crown seals that were quite stiff and took a while to break in, that one though isn’t a new watch, they came out in 2014 or something and have been out of production for a long time so it might be due for a service despite being new to you.

One other thing is this reference, the 311.30.44.32.01.001 Is actually a 44.25mm rather than 42mm so it’s a bit bigger than most Speedys.
 
Steve.M.
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dsio dsio
That’s one of my favorite models, and one of the rarest non-LE modern Speedmasters, very cool.

I have had a couple of Speedmasters with crown seals that were quite stiff and took a while to break in, that one though isn’t a new watch, they came out in 2014 or something and have been out of production for a long time so it might be due for a service despite being new to you.

One other thing is this reference, the 311.30.44.32.01.001 Is actually a 44.25mm rather than 42mm so it’s a bit bigger than most Speedys.
Appreciate the direction and your insight, you’re 100% correct it’s 44.25mm case and surprisingly wears very comfortable. Probably not a good idea to wear it like this until it stops running and then send in for service… I just can’t bring myself to service a piece that runs fine but too stiff to wind smoothly…
 
Steve.M.
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Evitzee Evitzee
If it needs an intervention putting it off won't solve your problem. Something is obviously wrong with the movement.
That’s true I been wearing it in rotation every 4 weeks 😬 I wonder what the turn around time would be with the Swatch Group Service centre in the States
 
Steve.M.
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JimInOz JimInOz
One of these, there are other variants much cheaper.

s-l960.webp


Or try one of these.

Screenshot 2025-04-02 at 12.30.47.webp
Added to the bday wish list thank you 🙏🏻
 
bsowers34
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I never thought about a winding tool, I just ordered the bergeon because winding four speedies every two days is indeed tough on the fingertips.
 
Evitzee
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I have twelve Speedmasters and various other manual wind watches, and none of them is being worn right now, no need to keep a manual watch wound when not in use, it accomplishes nothing. Save time and your fingers!!
 
Evitzee
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bsowers34 bsowers34
Knew that was coming.
Snoopy occasionally needs a rest, a beagle can't go forever without resting. But seriously, why are keeping the four continuously running? It's very simple to reset a manual wound watch, especially without a date. There's no right or wrong, obviously, but I just don't see the need to keep all watches running all the time.

I wonder what the normal practice is among collectors, wound always, or not?
 
bsowers34
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Evitzee Evitzee
Snoopy occasionally needs a rest, a beagle can't go forever without resting. But seriously, why are keeping the four continuously running? It's very simple to reset a manual wound watch, especially without a date. There's no right or wrong, obviously, but I just don't see the need to keep all watches running all the time.

I wonder what the normal practice is among collectors, wound always, or not?
OCD.
 
padders
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Evitzee Evitzee
Snoopy occasionally needs a rest, a beagle can't go forever without resting. But seriously, why are keeping the four continuously running? It's very simple to reset a manual wound watch, especially without a date. There's no right or wrong, obviously, but I just don't see the need to keep all watches running all the time.

I wonder what the normal practice is among collectors, wound always, or not?
Not. Why add extra wear? It's the opposite of common sense.
 
YY77
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Does the winding tool even work when a watch has crownguards?
 
bsowers34
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YY77 YY77
Does the winding tool even work when a watch has crownguards?
I'm about to find out. I'll return it if it doesn't.
 
hen
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Other Speedy owners have said that winding their watch every morning stenghtens their relationship with the watch. You might be in an abusive relationship with yours. Get out before its to late, just buy an automatic, Its been around since the 1780`s its a tryed and tested technology,
 
Jones in LA
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There's no guarantee that a service will resolve the issue. I own four manual-wind Speedmasters -- a mixture of cal. 321, 1861, and 3861. Three of the four wind as easy as can be, but the fourth -- a Cal. 1861 -- has always been extremely hard to wind. I have had Omega service it twice to address the winding issue and it has come back in the same condition as when it went in. I've owned that particular watch for nine years and I'd say that just in the past year it has finally become easier to wind.
 
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