Omega, Rolex, others: what’s your screw-down crown technique?

Posts
2,067
Likes
4,210
My modern Railmaster wants a solid push in on the crown and then seemingly a half turn clockwise to close, going CCW doesn't make it any happier for sure.
 
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,804
The most notorious stripped thread watch types are the manual winders with screw down crowns. Years back my wife's watchmaker Godfather taught her to make note of the clock position of the crown-on-the-crown of 6694 oysterdates when unscrewing the crown. When the crown "pops" free simply start an hour or so earlier in position when screwing the crown back down. This lessens the wear on the threads when pushing to find the "notch". Works like a charm on any screw down crown style watch and preserves the threads. We even mark the unsigned crowns on Seiko divers so we can do the same via clock position. Of course lubing the threads periodically also helps.
 
Posts
29,117
Likes
75,251
Of course lubing the threads periodically also helps.

There's no need to lubricate threads on the crown or case tube. For Rolex style that are exposed, that will just attract dirt...

Keeping the external style of threaded case tube clean is a good idea though. Of course not an issue with internally threaded case tubes, like Omega uses.
 
Posts
7,092
Likes
23,001
The most notorious stripped thread watch types are the manual winders with screw down crowns. Years back my wife's watchmaker Godfather taught her to make note of the clock position of the crown-on-the-crown of 6694 oysterdates when unscrewing the crown. When the crown "pops" free simply start an hour or so earlier in position when screwing the crown back down. This lessens the wear on the threads when pushing to find the "notch". Works like a charm on any screw down crown style watch and preserves the threads. We even mark the unsigned crowns on Seiko divers so we can do the same via clock position.

Makes perfect sense. As Al says, if there’s only one notch, then that position wont change, and noting it reduces needless repetition of pressure/rotation.
 
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,804
My Rolexes have lubed tube and crown threads and they don't get dirty. Nowadays with all the robbers ready to pounce, my Rolexes will never get dirty on my wrists when I'm hiding on the freshly vacuumed carpet under my bed. 😁
 
Posts
792
Likes
915
Your watch has a feature not included in a jar lid; a stem to center and to hold the crown square to the tube. Because of this, the slope of the female thread always matches that of the male thread. In almost all positions, the threads will mate properly and simply screw on, no risk to either thread.

There's a chance that the threads meet right at the start of each and potentially jam together, but that chance is vanishingly small.

I just push and turn.

I've only had one experience with a stripped tube and it was one of the Aquaracers made back in the early teens. It's problem was the stem was cut to long (thanks TAG) and only had maybe one of the two and a half turns of engagement.
 
Posts
326
Likes
1,244
Just push and make a big whole screw turn, then continue screwing when its in the thread
 
Posts
1
Likes
0
Just push and make a big whole screw turn, then continue screwing when its in the thread
Just push and make a minor counter clockwise turn, then proceed clockwise.
 
Posts
49
Likes
88
Just push and make a big whole screw turn, then continue screwing when its in the thread
This!