Vintage crown doesn't screw all the way down

[freddie6346]

Hi

I'm looking to buy my first vintage rolex 60s/70s/80s and have noticed that a few of them that I have seen (including a couple of reputable dealers) have crows that dont screw in all the way and wondered whether this matters or not.

To my untrained eye it looks as if either the stem is too long or the tube (possibly a replacement) is too long for the vintage crowns which look a bit smaller than modern ones.

Has anyone else come across this issue and what are peoples thoughts?

Thanks

Freddie

[saskmh]

The crown shouldn't actually screw down so it's tight against the case. There should be a very small gap. The crown should only screw down until it seats against the o-ring seal inside. If if is screwed tight against the case I would suspect that the seal may be over compressed or the tube may have been installed just a hair too deep.

Although, if a watchmaker gauged everything very well then you could have proper compression of the o-ring and have it tight to the case as well.

[freddie6346]

Thanks for the response. I think the gaps a bit bigger - you can see at least a couple of 'rings' of the thread. I tried to post a link to a picture but I need eight posts to do so.

[tamiya]

Best to judge the spacing only when unit is in your own hands. Different people have different ideas how tight crown should be snugged down... I often find more gorillas overdosed on spinach, whereas I leave then backed off slightly.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by freddie6346

Hi

I'm looking to buy my first vintage rolex 60s/70s/80s and have noticed that a few of them that I have seen (including a couple of reputable dealers) have crows that dont screw in all the way and wondered whether this matters or not.

To my untrained eye it looks as if either the stem is too long or the tube (possibly a replacement) is too long for the vintage crowns which look a bit smaller than modern ones.

Has anyone else come across this issue and what are peoples thoughts?

Thanks

Freddie

that has a LOT to do with what kind of watch you are talking about.