Removing a broken stem from a Speedmaster Crown

Posts

176

Likes

193

Gurn

·Apr 29, 2018

Thanks so much Archer! I've been wondering what to do about my crown with broken off stem within. Didn't want to get a replacement as mine is the original style decagon for my Constellation. Again, thanks so much! I'll be sure to post results.

 

Posts

176

Likes

193

Gurn

·May 1, 2018

Here is a video of mine bubbling away....

and link to my channel with some vintage Geiger counter videos as well.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdBIn-eTU4Wa7ttfSTy_G5A

Edited: May 1, 2018

 

M

Posts

12

Likes

2

Markrodes3214

·May 3, 2018

Alum will not dissolve stainless steel, so it works fine for removing a carbon steel stem from a stainless steel crown.

 

Posts

28,236

Likes

72,371

Archer

·May 3, 2018·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

M Markrodes3214

Alum will not dissolve stainless steel, so it works fine for removing a carbon steel stem from a stainless steel crown.

Is there an echo in here...

Archer

Alum will not dissolve stainless steel, so it works fine for removing a carbon steel stem from a stainless steel crown...I've done it many times.

 

Posts

176

Likes

193

Gurn

·May 3, 2018

I guess wisdom just needs repeated.

 

Posts

176

Likes

193

Gurn

·May 5, 2018

I believe after several days the broken stem has been dissolved. Dose anyone know the depth of the hole in the crown? Mine measures at a little over a millimeter. This is for Constellation 168-005.

 

Posts

28,236

Likes

72,371

Archer

·May 5, 2018·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Looks clear to me.

 

Posts

176

Likes

193

Gurn

·May 5, 2018

Archer

Looks clear to me.

Thanks Archer, and thanks so much for the instructions for this method.
Gurn

 

Posts

588

Likes

766

Franco

·Aug 5, 2018

In the past have used a dedicated screw tool, after having loosened the loctite with heat

 

Posts

316

Likes

1,683

Civic4982

·Aug 31, 2018

Alum advice above very accurate. Works for most and I’ve had success with it in the past most times.

 

Posts

3

Likes

0

relix

·Oct 3, 2018

I had the same problem and the decision is - new crown and new winding stem

 

Posts

84

Likes

55

Winston 1984

·Oct 21, 2018

Very interesting information here! I have an old logo Speedmaster crown that might need some time in the bathing tub.

 

Posts

2,326

Likes

1,884

VetPsychWars

·Dec 13, 2018

I suppose my experience of burning a broken tap out of a copper bus bar with an EDM is a little too macro for this discussion? 😀

Tom

 

Posts

302

Likes

1,185

TimtimeIntl

·Jan 9, 2019

I have used Vissin to remove broken off steel parts in watch movements. I ordered it from my watch tool and parts supplier. Alum certainly is cheaper. Good luck, Tim

 

Posts

1,241

Likes

3,868

WYO_Watch

·Jan 19, 2019

Remember that time when I thought I could use an old Bulova press that didn’t have the correct dyes to install my bezel after I replaced the crystal 🤬

Me too... so instead of buying a $15 press that works now I get to buy some “alum” and a new stem. Still some threads on my crown, but probably not enough to grab.

Is this the right stuff?

 

Posts

28,236

Likes

72,371

Archer

·Jan 19, 2019·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Yes, it is.

 

Posts

98

Likes

86

VintageOmegaLove

·May 5, 2019

Always learning something new in this forum! Very interesting indeed. 😀

To the OP, I hope you manage to get it sorted soon!

All the best,
Chris

 

Posts

416

Likes

673

321Only

·Jun 3, 2019

Thank you guys for sharing this. If I only knew before.... I could have saved some vintage crowns 🤦

 

Posts

99

Likes

38

silverbitz

·Jun 20, 2019

Wow

 

Posts

7,144

Likes

13,269

Evitzee

·Jun 20, 2019

Good to know. Would alum be ok to use on an 18k crown? I have a gold Vulcain Cricket that has a snapped tube.