I was wearing this 7002 this morning and the crown was binding in the case tube. I imagine the crown gasket was dry or swelled up. I figured take a look inside. The crown was really hard to turn. I removed the crown and stem and the stem is broken. No biggie I just ordered a new crown and stem, As they say S... happens.

After I removed the stem and crown out of curiosity I lubed up the gasket on the crown and all was well with the crown the crown the stem and crown are sold as a set. Now I have to wait for the part to arrive at the supply house. Part of the stem is in the pin vise.

 

You could change your thread title to "Watches, always something to cry about".

You know, you're winding a Speedy with an original crown and the stem breaks off at the crown. You buy a seeming bargain on fleaBay and send it off to the watchmaker. You get a call and the conversation starts "Well, when I finally got the caseback off there was..." and there goes your bargain.

 

No need for years...just read the stickies in the vintage section...takes a little time, but is easily solved:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/removing-a-broken-stem-from-a-speedmaster-crown.61416/

Cheers, Al

 

Thanks, I read that and have every intention. I actually have 2 old crowns that need "massaging". The mentioned Speedmaster and a Zodiac that needs the heat treatment so the crown can be removed and the stem shortened the 0.3mm it needs to seat properly.

 

When I purchase vintage watches that I like. I always figure in the cost of a service into the purchase price. If my figures get too rich I pass on the watch By the time you get the watch serviced add that to the purchase price and you no longer have a deal. Some
parts of vintage high end watches are worth crazy prices. And the parts can be very hard to find I have a few watches that have taken me several years to find the parts to repair the watches. When I get a watch like that I just put it aside until I find the parts to fix it up.

 

I agree with you about that, there have been several watches that I have passed on because of this.