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Subtleties in pulling out a Speedmaster crown...
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rob#1
·This is a very informative and detailed thread, thanks to all (most?) involved.
One finger or two, or finger and thumb? I must admit I never really give this any thought...
One finger or two, or finger and thumb? I must admit I never really give this any thought...
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerThis is a very informative thread, mostly due to Al’s photos and explanations. An additional question, though: is this contact area between the set lever post and the slot in the stem typically lubricated?
Yes, essentially every surface of the stem that enters the movement is lubricated. Omega typically calls for oil (HP 1300), but many people use grease, myself included.
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M'Bob
·On watches that I service it is. I use a very very thin film of Mobius 9504 applied to the groove in the stem.
Yes, essentially every surface of the stem that enters the movement is lubricated. Omega typically calls for oil (HP 1300), but many people use grease, myself included.
Thank you both.
Here’s what prompts the question: I have a 105.003, recent full service, new crown and stem. I found an old 105.012 in my stash, doesn’t wind or run, mostly a parts watch. But, it had the correct, earlier flat-foot crown which I wanted to use.
So I brought both watches to a local guy, he pulled the earlier, flat-foot crown and stem and showed it to me: it looked to both of us that it’s showing it’s age (very minor corrosion), but he said it was good enough to use, and, he couldn’t remove the crown from the stem, thinking it was probably frozen. Which he said is not uncommon.
So he made the switch, and the old crown/stem combo winds, fits, and sets well in the 105.003. But…I can swear it is much more difficult to pull to the setting position now.
So I started to review the photos in this thread, and re-read what could provide resistance to moving from the wind to set position. And if the stem/crown was the only thing changed, than other than a gummy crown gasket, my layperson assessment tells me the only other spot that would now change and increase the resistance would be where the set lever post interfaces with the stem. I thought maybe it could use some lubricant there.
On the other hand: the point of contact/surface area of these to parts seems very small, thereby making me question whether a little surface corrosion here could really increase the resistance I’m feeling.
Bottom line: hopelessly stumped…
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bombaywalla
·A little late to the party but to answer your original question - thumb on top, middle finger nail on bottom & a gentle tug to pull out. just did this 10 mins ago to set the time …
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dsio
··Ash @ ΩFMy dad always uses his teeth. It makes me sad but that’s what he does. I have no fingernails due to being a disgusting nail brighter so I use a credit card from behind the crown while applying pressure in a pinching motion from the front side to prevent it getting bent. I do that with all my watches that have annoying crowns which is most of my Omegas.
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bombaywalla
·My dad always uses his teeth. It makes me sad but that’s what he does. I have no fingernails due to being a disgusting nail brighter so I use a credit card from behind the crown while applying pressure in a pinching motion from the front side to prevent it getting bent. I do that with all my watches that have annoying crowns which is most of my Omegas.
and, you really are a chronic nail-bitter?
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bombaywalla
·Yes, and yes, dad is also a nail-biter and has slivers for fingernails like 1mm long on all his fingers, so he uses his teeth.
i used to be one when i was a teenager & I remember my parents slapping my hand the moment it used to head towards my mouth. 😁
luckily i outgrew that (bad) habit.
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Waltesefalcon
·I must be in the minority here, I place my thumb on top then use ... wait for it... my fore finger to pull the crown out. Since so many of you use your muddle finger to perform this is there some sort of advantage I am missing out on? I tried it that way and it didn't seem to make a difference.
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Evitzee
·I must be in the minority here, I place my thumb on top then use ... wait for it... my fore finger to pull the crown out. Since so many of you use your muddle finger to perform this is there some sort of advantage I am missing out on? I tried it that way and it didn't seem to make a difference.
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Walrus
·I just find it odd this topic got five pages. No offense to the OP of course the question was fine I just thought it was resolved quickly and that was that. I’m going to start using my teeth, probably just a tooth although I do have a David Lettermanesque gap in my front teeth which I may be able to utilize. Seems like most people are doing the same thing with minor deviations and I need to change that up.
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M'Bob
·I just find it odd this topic got five pages. No offense to the OP of course the question was fine I just thought it was resolved quickly and that was that. I’m going to start using my teeth, probably just a tooth although I do have a David Lettermanesque gap in my front teeth which I may be able to utilize. Seems like most people are doing the same thing with minor deviations and I need to change that up.
If your gap it quite wide, and the crown has that little post, it may get jammed between your teeth in the set position. Then try to explain this to the docs in the Emergency Department. You’d be one step of the way up from when they have to pull a Gerbil out of a guy’s…well, you know…
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Walrus
·If your gap it quite wide, and the crown has that little post, it may get jammed between your teeth in the set position. Then try to explain this to the docs in the Emergency Department. You’d be one step of the way up from when they have to pull a Gerbil out of a guy’s…well, you know…
I’m actually doing a Covid test at someone’s house here is the gap in my tooth so you can judge
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M'Bob
·Funny you mention that my neighbor is a PA(physicians assistant) which is one step under an MD in my state. He said people show up at the ER with things stuck up their, as you stated, you know, and always claim it was mistake. As soon as the issue is resolved and the patient leaves the md’s and nurses have a chat about “no way was that an accident.
I’m actually doing a Covid test at someone’s house here is the gap in my tooth so you can judge
You look like a ventriloquist I just saw. He was fantastic…
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Evitzee
·Funny you mention that my neighbor is a PA(physicians assistant) which is one step under an MD in my state. He said people show up at the ER with things stuck up their, as you stated, you know, and always claim it was mistake. As soon as the issue is resolved and the patient leaves the md’s and nurses have a chat about “no way was that an accident.
Sounds like Fusilli Jerry, "it was a million to one shot, doc, a million to one"
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studeb
·I must be in the minority here, I place my thumb on top then use ... wait for it... my fore finger to pull the crown out. Since so many of you use your muddle finger to perform this is there some sort of advantage I am missing out on? I tried it that way and it didn't seem to make a difference.
You are not alone with the use of the #2 digit. But then i only have a reduced....
So if someone wants to send me some Moonwatches, i will test them and report back.
