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Omega 2531.80 - help with crown replacement / repair

C
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I wish I was making this story up. I picked up my new-to-me 2531.80 Seamaster today @ FedEx. First nice watch I’ve ever owned. Sitting in my truck, I opened up the box, unwrapped the watch, etc. I immediately went to try and pop out the crown to set the date and time, and the crown would not budge no matter what I did. Crown also wouldn’t turn in place. I got out my knife I keep in my truck with a tiny flat head screwdriver attachment and tried to gently pry on the crown against the case. Apparently I was too forceful and the first movement the crown made was to completely fly off into the unknown of my truck. As of right now I spent an hour searching, my hands are freezing cold, and I have not located the crown (and whatever else I might be missing because I have no idea what I’m doing).

Can anyone help guide as to what I should do next? I have photo attached of the watch from the listing with crown on, and a photo of the way it currently is. I don’t even know where to start other than keep looking through my truck for the crown.

TLDR: I’m an idiot.

image.webp IMG_8699.webp
 
C
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Bing813 Bing813
Unfortunately it unscrews my friend

So, realistically speaking, what have I don’t to myself here. Should I even bother looking for the crown?
 
C
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jameshill51276@g jameshill51276@g
Hi there,

I just bought a new rubber gasket for my 36mm (2561.80) from this eBay seller.

Fortunately they are selling a replacement crown with screw.

Hope you can get it sorted!


eBay Link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26617663...9QX1E9&hash=item3df95d2166:g:02QAAOSwf5BiBP4L

Cheers,
James

Screenshot 2024-12-05 200000.webp Screenshot 2024-12-05 200011.webp


Thank you for your reply - I guess my concern is that since I clearly don’t know what I’m doing, considering the situation I’m in, is it even advisable for me to try and fix it even if I got the right parts ?
 
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jameshill51276@g
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C cameronindoor
Thank you for your reply - I guess my concern is that since I clearly don’t know what I’m doing, considering the situation I’m in, is it even advisable for me to try and fix it even if I got the right parts ?
You could always buy the crown and get a watchmaker to take a look at it.
In the UK a good shout is Timpson, not sure about other countries but there's bound to be a watchmaker or watch repair shop nearby.

Failing that you could open it up and get the crown stem from out of the movement to then attach the new crown, but I'd bet that you could probably just reattach the new crown without having to take it apart as it looks like it screws down.

I couldn't find a video of the 2531.80 but I've found a similar Omega crown removal video:
 
C
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jameshill51276@g jameshill51276@g
You could always buy the crown and get a watchmaker to take a look at it.
In the UK a good shout is Timpson, not sure about other countries but there's bound to be a watchmaker or watch repair shop nearby.

Failing that you could open it up and get the crown stem from out of the movement to then attach the new crown, but I'd bet that you could probably just reattach the new crown without having to take it apart as it looks like it screws down.

I couldn't find a video of the 2531.80 but I've found a similar Omega crown removal video:

Thanks a lot for your help!
 
Archer
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C cameronindoor
So, realistically speaking, what have I don’t to myself here. Should I even bother looking for the crown?

What you have done is break the crown itself. The cap of the crown that has the logo on it has separated from the tube portion of the crown that screws into the case. In my view, the only reliable way to repair this is with a new crown.

Although the post with the replacement crown for sale might be helpful, the advert is misleading, as that crown will not fit all 25318000's. The 25318000 used a few different cases, so in order to determine what crown you need, you will have to open up the case back, which also unscrews. Inside the case back there will be some information, but there will be numbers. The crown and case tube (the part that the crown screws into - just in case you need it) will vary based on those numbers as follows:

168.1503 - crown needed is 069ST42123, case tube 090ST4201

168-1603 - crown needed is 069ST42123, case tube 090ST4201

168-1623 - crown needed is 069ST42147, case tube 090ST1231

You may also need a new winding stem - 72211205101021

Honestly, if you have never done this sort of work before, I would suggest taking it to a watchmaker. There are so many thing that you can damage if you are not very careful, that it's not worth trying to do this yourself and ending up damaging more...

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Al
 
C
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Wow - thank you. I’m definitely in over my head. I don’t have the tools to open the case back.
Would you think this sort of repair can be handled by a local jeweler , or do I need to send this off to omega?
 
Archer
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C cameronindoor
Wow - thank you. I’m definitely in over my head. I don’t have the tools to open the case back.
Would you think this sort of repair can be handled by a local jeweler , or do I need to send this off to omega?
Not a jeweler - a watchmaker. If you can find one locally who is certified by Omega, they will be able to do this job easily, and will be able to source the parts directly from Omega. If you give your general location, someone may be able to offer a suggested watchmaker.
 
C
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South eastern PA, in case anyone has recommendations.

My local omega AD has a watchmaker on staff, but they have nothing mentioned on their website about being omega certified.
 
Bing813
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Archer Archer
What you have done is break the crown itself. The cap of the crown that has the logo on it has separated from the tube portion of the crown that screws into the case. In my view, the only reliable way to repair this is with a new crown.

Although the post with the replacement crown for sale might be helpful, the advert is misleading, as that crown will not fit all 25318000's. The 25318000 used a few different cases, so in order to determine what crown you need, you will have to open up the case back, which also unscrews. Inside the case back there will be some information, but there will be numbers. The crown and case tube (the part that the crown screws into - just in case you need it) will vary based on those numbers as follows:

168.1503 - crown needed is 069ST42123, case tube 090ST4201

168-1603 - crown needed is 069ST42123, case tube 090ST4201

168-1623 - crown needed is 069ST42147, case tube 090ST1231

You may also need a new winding stem - 72211205101021

Honestly, if you have never done this sort of work before, I would suggest taking it to a watchmaker. There are so many thing that you can damage if you are not very careful, that it's not worth trying to do this yourself and ending up damaging more...

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Al
Another example of why I love this forum!!

Thank you Archer for being a reliable source of information because I assure you that many people would become frustrated without your knowledge base helping us. Its definitely scrolled through by many daily and we thank you for your insight.
 
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