I’ve bought this vintage watch at an antique store for the outrageously ridiculous price of $1. It’s missing the crown but the stem is still there. If I shake it up it does tick for ten seconds then stops but it’s a hand wind movement. I would service it but I’m a broke 18 year old, so I am wondering if I can just buy a crown and just put it back in and hoping that it will work instead of paying $250 for a full service. My questions are, where can I get a crown for this and what kind? And what’s the background on the 511 movement?

 

Very likely will need a new stem as well, as it looks to have been broken off.
Search Ebay using the case ref #.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum!

First off, a bit impressive to get that piece for 1$. If you're looking for a crown, I usually look at http://www.ofrei.com/.
In this specific case, I wouldn't be so sure about not having to service it. These watches have been sitting there for a while and are more than likely needing of a service in order to function well. If you don't want to spend the money on a service, you can sell the watch for parts and use that money to get another piece.

Best,
Javi.

 

Isn’t that little dot in the hole where the crown is supposed to be the stem?

 

Thank you for the warm welcome, as a young watch enthusiast and this being my first Swiss timepiece, I’m glad I have a good community surrounding me.
To be honest I’m not looking for a “good” functioning watch since I’m mainly using this as a dress watch and not as something to keep accurate time. I will service it once I have the money of course but I would like to have it at least working in time for prom, will a new crown make it work since it does kinda tick without me winding it?

 

The stem is a metal piece with a "stick" form that connects the crown with the movement.

 

It's a bit early to get a full diagnose. If it ticks when you move it, it's definately a good sign (but not enough). As it's manual wind, you can't check if the watch has a powerfull mainspring. You can't also check the winding train or the time-keeping abilities.

 

Well of course he can!

What he wants to do here is check if it runs (since he wants to wait to service it). As someone said above might also need a new stem for the new crown.
But first off u can try if the movement runs. U already know the balance turns which moves the centre second. Now u wanna know if power is transfered from thw mainspring to the escape and balance.

Take a small screwdriver and turn the ratchet wheel clockwise to wind the watch. If its stuck its already wound and it got stuck without the possibility to release power out to the escape wheel. This is often because of dirt, rust and such.

Let us know how it went!

 

Nice find. Absolutely keep us posted on how this goes. I'll be following along!

 

I had it sent to a repair man in Georgia and told me it needs a movement overhaul. Apparently this will cost $600!! Is that far too much?

 

Apparently it needs a movement overhaul. I had it sent to a watch maker in Georgia and said it will cost $600! Is this too much?

 

Not even Omega charges that much for a complete overhaul (theirs is at $450-500 if I'm not mistaken). I think you should get other quotes from other watchmakers and make a decision.

 

$600 for service plus a replacement crown and stem? Or just for the overhaul before any replacement parts?

 

In short. Way too much. Keep searching for a horologist.

 

Someone else just shared this link (sorry I forgot who). You can search for a watchmaker.

https://members.awci.com/AWCIWEB/AWCISearch/MemberSearch.aspx

 

$600 for a stem, crown, overhaul, and new main spring

 

I still think that the price is a bit on the high side. Nevertheless, if you trust the watchmaker and know he is good an professional, I'd rather pay a bit more and get a good service than save a couple of bucks and be back at another watchmaker in a couple of weeks.