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Omega Planet Ocean 2201.50 crown repair help

V
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Modernism Modernism
Even though you've bought genuine parts and from a reputable? It may be a reluctance because he wants to make sure that if the parts fail, then he can blame OMEGA for the shoddy parts, and can't do that with yours, (as a worst case scenario), or maybe, just not enough money in it for him if you supply them. Anyway, like you say, may as well go direct. I've had same problem as you with the crown on the same watch 3 times, but it was here in the UK. If it wasn't for the fact it is still my favourite watch, I'd have got rid long ago. It's very annoying. You should have better luck out there. You didn't order the crystal as well did you?
I didn’t purchase the crystal
 
J!m
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Wise to send it in.

Replacing a stem is a basic job but it’s really easy to cut it short… and the keyless works is usually the first thing a budding watchmaker screws up. Then you have to do a partial tear down.

The 2500 is a nice movement based on the 2892. Any watchmaker can deal with it. I bought a ruined (swamped) one on eBay to tear down and rebuild and then I sold it on after. I have not torn into mine- I sent it to Omega when it needed service.

They replaced what I asked for and didn’t replace what I didn’t specify. Unlike Rolex who will do as they please and charge you for ruining the originality of your watch… the orange on the seconds hand fades away and a fresh new hand really pops. I had hands and bezel replaced but kept my original crystal. Old parts came back which I sold on to offset the repair cost a bit.

For a modern watch I recommend Omega service without hesitation. A vintage piece? No way.
 
V
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J!m J!m
Wise to send it in.

Replacing a stem is a basic job but it’s really easy to cut it short… and the keyless works is usually the first thing a budding watchmaker screws up. Then you have to do a partial tear down.

The 2500 is a nice movement based on the 2892. Any watchmaker can deal with it. I bought a ruined (swamped) one on eBay to tear down and rebuild and then I sold it on after. I have not torn into mine- I sent it to Omega when it needed service.

They replaced what I asked for and didn’t replace what I didn’t specify. Unlike Rolex who will do as they please and charge you for ruining the originality of your watch… the orange on the seconds hand fades away and a fresh new hand really pops. I had hands and bezel replaced but kept my original crystal. Old parts came back which I sold on to offset the repair cost a bit.

For a modern watch I recommend Omega service without hesitation. A vintage piece? No way.
Omegas website says $700 for non chronograph non vintage. Is that an estimate? I’m not really in need for a new crystal or hands, I mostly just want the stem and crown replaced and a water pressure test. Last thing I want to do is be quoted one thing and then billed twice that.
 
V
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V Valiant Thor
Omegas website says $700 for non chronograph non vintage. Is that an estimate? I’m not really in need for a new crystal or hands, I mostly just want the stem and crown replaced and a water pressure test. Last thing I want to do is be quoted one thing and then billed twice that.
Also, can anyone explain what the piece is here connect to the tube, there is a separation there and it looks to be possibly the screw down part of the crown that fell off.
 
IMG_2773.jpeg
padders
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V Valiant Thor
Also, can anyone explain what the piece is here connect to the tube, there is a separation there and it looks to be possibly the screw down part of the crown that fell off.
Archer who is an Omega authorised watchmaker already explained that above. You’d do worse than send it to him, but he’s not quite in your part of North America it must be said. Nesbitts are closer it’s true.
 
JimInOz
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V Valiant Thor
Omegas website says $700 for non chronograph non vintage. Is that an estimate? I’m not really in need for a new crystal or hands, I mostly just want the stem and crown replaced and a water pressure test. Last thing I want to do is be quoted one thing and then billed twice that.

Omega factory service and Omega Certified watchmakers are generally reluctant to do a part repair/service.
Say they fix your problem, and then six week later you go back and complain about a different problem you say was caused by them.

They have to provide warranty on their work, so doing half a job isn't worth the risk to them.

Just get a full service at either Omega or an OCWM.
 
Modernism
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Same when mine came off, they wouldn't repair without a full service, it wasn't even 3 years old at that time.
And when you send it back, get rid of the isofrane and put the bracelet back on, if you have it, as you're paying for that polish and scrub up inc.
 
duc
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J!m J!m
Wise to send it in.

Replacing a stem is a basic job but it’s really easy to cut it short… and the keyless works is usually the first thing a budding watchmaker screws up. Then you have to do a partial tear down.

The 2500 is a nice movement based on the 2892. Any watchmaker can deal with it. I bought a ruined (swamped) one on eBay to tear down and rebuild and then I sold it on after. I have not torn into mine- I sent it to Omega when it needed service.

They replaced what I asked for and didn’t replace what I didn’t specify. Unlike Rolex who will do as they please and charge you for ruining the originality of your watch… the orange on the seconds hand fades away and a fresh new hand really pops. I had hands and bezel replaced but kept my original crystal. Old parts came back which I sold on to offset the repair cost a bit.

For a modern watch I recommend Omega service without hesitation. A vintage piece? No way.
Omega HQ in Bienne has a vintage only group that will restore your watch as you desire (fully or without polishing, reuse of hands, etc.). They worked over a 166.077 of mine and I couldn't be happier.
 
V
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Modernism Modernism
Same when mine came off, they wouldn't repair without a full service, it wasn't even 3 years old at that time.
And when you send it back, get rid of the isofrane and put the bracelet back on, if you have it, as you're paying for that polish and scrub up inc.
Good eye, I purchased a new crown and stem from SLE. I honestly want to make the repair myself, the movement and time keeping was great I don’t feel it needs a full service and I would save money and time away from my watch but I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do. Applying the crown to the stem with loctite doesn’t look very difficult and the stem is already cut the fit the case.
 
V
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V Valiant Thor
Good eye, I purchased a new crown and stem from SLE. I honestly want to make the repair myself, the movement and time keeping was great I don’t feel it needs a full service and I would save money and time away from my watch but I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do. Applying the crown to the stem with loctite doesn’t look very difficult and the stem is already cut the fit the case.
I don’t have anything to lose if the parts won’t be used anyways I might as well make my own attempt and then send it in if all else fails.
 
J!m
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Stems are always supplied over-length and must be cut to length.

I prefer to thread it through a die plate before cutting so that the threads are straightened when you take it out of the plate. I also deburr and polish the end of the stem- they are very hard steel, and the cut edge is like a razor, and susceptible to cross-threading.

Use the purple locktite if you attempt this. And don't put the locktite on until you have the length perfect...
 
Archer
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V Valiant Thor
Good eye, I purchased a new crown and stem from SLE. I honestly want to make the repair myself, the movement and time keeping was great I don’t feel it needs a full service and I would save money and time away from my watch but I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do. Applying the crown to the stem with loctite doesn’t look very difficult and the stem is already cut the fit the case.

You will need to be careful unscrewing what remains of the crown from the case tube - if you damage the tube, it will need replacing, and that is not a DIY job for someone with little experience.

The stem is already cut to fit the case and crown - as I've already mentioned in my previous post, often the depth of the threads in the crown will vary enough that the existing stem may be too short, so it's a good idea to have a spare on hand, just in case.

J!m J!m
Stems are always supplied over-length and must be cut to length.

I prefer to thread it through a die plate before cutting so that the threads are straightened when you take it out of the plate. I also deburr and polish the end of the stem- they are very hard steel, and the cut edge is like a razor, and susceptible to cross-threading.

Use the purple locktite if you attempt this. And don't put the locktite on until you have the length perfect...

Not "always" - Omega uses a number of stems that are of a predetermined length, for example like this one:



It requires no cutting, and the threaded portion is only at the very end.



When you are cutting a stem to fit, all that is needed is a good set of cutters, and a stone to clean up the end of the cut - I use an India stone.

Red Loctite is better - holds much firmer than the purple. When the crown is being changed it won't matter anyway - just use heat to break the bond...

 
J!m
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Ah! I was not aware of these custom stems. Makes sense, as they would be stronger.

I avoid red locktite (even blue) on such small diameters personally because maybe the stem needs replacing, but not the crown (or vice-versa) and I like to have a "get out of jail" card... I don't like to heat the crown and the purple has held well for me so far... This is important to me on vintage Rolex where you might be working with an irreplaceable (at least difficult/expensive) 700 crown for example.

But I understand an OEM wanting to be sure that crown WILL NOT come off the stem, and generally you replace both together when you have a parts account.

I'm not a professional watchmaker, so I defer, but just relaying my personal experience.
 
Archer
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J!m J!m
Ah! I was not aware of these custom stems. Makes sense, as they would be stronger.

I avoid red locktite (even blue) on such small diameters personally because maybe the stem needs replacing, but not the crown (or vice-versa) and I like to have a "get out of jail" card... I don't like to heat the crown and the purple has held well for me so far... This is important to me on vintage Rolex where you might be working with an irreplaceable (at least difficult/expensive) 700 crown for example.

But I understand an OEM wanting to be sure that crown WILL NOT come off the stem, and generally you replace both together when you have a parts account.

I'm not a professional watchmaker, so I defer, but just relaying my personal experience.

Yes, I understand vintage Rolex...this is mine BTW:



Most of my work is on vintage, although I do a bit of modern work also. Not sure what damage to the crown you believe the heat would do? You aren't using enough to damage the crown - maybe the seal if you were really careless, but on these the seals are easily replaced anyway.

Anyway, you do you, but red is used widely in both vintage and modern watches, just so you know.
 
J!m
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Very nice!

Mine is a 3.9M serial but came to me with a service dial. I installed a Mk. I white dial because otherwise I'd never be able to wear the thing...

Maybe a late red dial will cross my path, but I'll enjoy it in the meantime.
 
V
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J!m J!m
Stems are always supplied over-length and must be cut to length.

I prefer to thread it through a die plate before cutting so that the threads are straightened when you take it out of the plate. I also deburr and polish the end of the stem- they are very hard steel, and the cut edge is like a razor, and susceptible to cross-threading.

Use the purple locktite if you attempt this. And don't put the locktite on until you have the length perfect...
Update***

I went to a local repair shop, guy was super knowledgeable with Omegas and told me the original stem was still in good condition, just the crown fell off. He used the original stem and told me to keep the spare uncut stem in case it’s needed later. He salvaged the part for me and did the repair for next to nothing. Timegrapher was great too. Told me I would have wasted money and time sending it to Omega.
 
padders
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V Valiant Thor
Update***

I went to a local repair shop, guy was super knowledgeable with Omegas and told me the original stem was still in good condition, just the crown fell off. He used the original stem and told me to keep the spare uncut stem in case it’s needed later. He salvaged the part for me and did the repair for next to nothing. Timegrapher was great too. Told me I would have wasted money and time sending it to Omega.
A good outcome all round! Just be careful about water resistance. It may have none.
 
Modernism
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V Valiant Thor
Good eye, I purchased a new crown and stem from SLE. I honestly want to make the repair myself, the movement and time keeping was great I don’t feel it needs a full service and I would save money and time away from my watch but I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do. Applying the crown to the stem with loctite doesn’t look very difficult and the stem is already cut the fit the case.

Glad you're sorted. The annoyance of sending them in when they are running great, and then getting it back and not being as accurate as it was when it left is something I've sadly had to get used to.

Good luck, still love that watch!
Just find a jeweller who'll pressure test it for you, for added peace of mind if you can.
 
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