I need help identifying this crown. The photos below are of the original crown, however the part of the stem has snapped off inside it, and my watchmaker was unable to save the crown (5.5mm Dia X 2.25 Thick X 2.5mm tube opening) The watch is a 1959 Cal 320, and case back indicates it's a 2278-3 and first 3 digits of the SN are 173
What did he do to try to save the crown? Did that result in the discolouration in the last photo? If that can be removed the crown might still be salvageable. The crown should be stainless steel, and the stem carbon steel, so an alum solution can be used to dissolve the broken portion of the stem out of the crown - I do this often. Can't help finding a vintage crown, but there is a modern Omega replacement of course - 069ST43238. Cheers, Al
Thanks Archer! I'm told it was actually a nickel coated crown, and he tried boiling it in an emulsified solution to free the stem piece stuck inside? He did install the Omega replacement, and the watch is functioning fine, but it is slightly larger and I'd like to find another like it so it's right.
Okay well if it's nickel plated and that is plating that's missing, then it will be more difficult to repair, but not impossible. Alum will dissolve the stem, and you could have the crown replated, but would likely cost more than finding an original crown would. Cheers, Al