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  1. steelcharlie99 Dec 17, 2015

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    So I'm a newbie to the forum and to automatics. I have a few old watches, two Speedmasters and some Longines, but they are all manuals and I just picked up the first automatic for the pile, a pie-pan Constellation. It has the faceted crown which would seem not intended for winding.
    Before I do something stupid, could someone tell me if there is a secret to stem winding Constellations?

    Great collection of forums here and more info than I could ever have hoped for!

    many thanks for your assistance

    Charlie
     
  2. Peemacgee Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers Dec 17, 2015

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    It is intended for winding -just bloody difficult to use!

    Try winding one way (clockwise)
    Some crowns are very stiff (may need servicing)

    Welcome and Congratulations on your new Connie
    Pics?
     
  3. Spike Dec 17, 2015

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    They are a bugger to grip and wind by hand, I even took mine back to my watchmaker after he serviced it to complain that something was wrong!

    He actually took the movement out of the case to show me that it winds perfectly fine but in the case you can hardly grip it and turn it.

    I've since bought a 'crown winder' from Cousins in the UK, it works a treat!
     
  4. Hijak Dec 17, 2015

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    Sometimes on these difficult to grip crowns I use a wider rubber band to hold it and wind. It works well for me.:)
     
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  5. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Dec 17, 2015

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    FYI these can't be "over wound", there is a clutch in the winding train that lets the mainspring slip when its fully wound.

    Welcome to the forum.

    Lets see some photos of your Connie. :)
     
  6. CanberraOmega Rabbitohs and Whisky Supporter Dec 17, 2015

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    Shame on you alll for helping out a newbie before he posted pictures! :whipped::whipped:
     
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  7. Peemacgee Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers Dec 17, 2015

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    Give a little
    Take a little....:)
     
  8. Peemacgee Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers Dec 17, 2015

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    BTW steel Charlie
    That was a cue to post pics of all of your watches
    The speedy boys will be chomping at the bit to see your 'tool' watches

    Just post them separately to your 'more cultured' Connie :whistling:::stirthepot::
    5,4,3,2......
     
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  9. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Dec 17, 2015

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    Here is the secret...

    [​IMG]

    Cheers, Al
     
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  10. Hijak Dec 17, 2015

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    Have to get me one of these!:)
     
  11. cfw Dec 17, 2015

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    Then u should steer clear of a JLC 2285

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1450388290.495703.jpg

    Its a pain winding that and according to JLC it should be done on a daily basis
     
  12. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Dec 17, 2015

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    I still prefer the old fashioned crank winding method.
    OMEGA-Elvis-OMEGA-Constellation-Case-Back.jpg
     
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  13. noelekal Home For Wayward Watches Dec 17, 2015

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    Hey cincindela, does it ever kick-back on you like an old Ford Model T?
     
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  14. steelcharlie99 Dec 17, 2015

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    Gentlemen -

    Many thanks for your assistance. And it is certainly not a quick and easy wind hahaha Since it did not seem to hit an "end" I presumed that the automatic function would provide a clutch of some sort to protect the spring.
    I'll get some pix up in a few days. The Constellation is a 561 and the Speedmasters are are both early '70's 861s.

    again, I really appreciate the info

    Charlie
     
  15. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Dec 17, 2015

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    Did I hear something about pics of speedies? I can't see them! Argh!
    :cool:
     
  16. constellationM Dec 17, 2015

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    Nice!! I gotta get me one of these :D
     
  17. constellationM Dec 18, 2015

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    OK so to clarify, you only need to wind your automatic Constellation when you start wearing it from dead stop. You only need to wind it between ten to thirty turns of the crown. Once you are wearing it, the auto winding will take care of it and you don't need to wind on a daily basis.

     
  18. Peemacgee Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers Dec 18, 2015

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    If you think the faceted crowns are a problem to wind -I still haven't worked out how to wind my hidden crown Connies....there's nothing to hold to wind ....::confused2::

    (I just tip them back and forth gently a few times to kick start them -and then strap 'em on quickly!)