Stripped Crown Threads

[Pandacat]

I have this inherent fear that every time i screw in the crown on my OP 39, i will strip the crown threads.

How common is this problem?

Or am i just overthinking?

[spare]

The second...
Never heard of that to happen, was engineered for it to function properly as you do, and it the worst case scenario: an easy fix/replacement when you bring it in for service.

How do you think the original OPs from the 40s survived up till now?

[Dan Pierce]

Strip away, the crown tube is replaceable.
dP

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Pandacat

I have this inherent fear that every time i screw in the crown on my OP 39, i will strip the crown threads.

How common is this problem?

Or am i just overthinking?

Just thread it in slowly, there is no need to rush.

And as Fan said above, if the threads were to strip, you can replace the crown tube

[Cryten]

As far as I'm aware the crown and tube are replacement items at service time anyway.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Pandacat

I have this inherent fear that every time i screw in the crown on my OP 39, i will strip the crown threads.

How common is this problem?

Or am i just overthinking?

Overthinking it, dont forget there were thousands of Rolex manual wind Rolex they got wound up daily for decades with screw down crowns.Plus the fact that crown tubes are just normal serviceable disposable items, that are always replaced as part of normal routine service.

[mgsooner]

Try this: while applying gentle inward pressure (toward the case) turn the crown backwards. You will feel a "pop" when the crown seats. Then screw it down. This works to perfection on my 214270. It does not work on my 114060.

[Ec2016]

It can certainly happen, but doubt you will have to worry about it. If it somehow becomes an issue, it is easily replaced. They will probably not even charge for it during normal service.

I’d only worry if the crown doesn’t “catch” at all, but even if there is only minimal catch (1/4 turn), it’s fine.

[GBD]

Originally Posted by mgsooner

Try this: while applying gentle inward pressure (toward the case) turn the crown backwards. You will feel a "pop" when the crown seats. Then screw it down. This works to perfection on my 214270. It does not work on my 114060.

So much this! Doing this will avoid any chance of ever cross-threading.

[DCheeta]

I wore the same 14060 for almost 20 years, in that time I must have screwed and unscrewed the crown thousands of times and never stripped the threads. You paid a lot for your Rolex, and that's because they're built to last.

And, like everyone else said, the tube can be replaced at service time anyway.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by padi56

Overthinking it, dont forget there were thousands of Rolex manual wind Rolex they got wound up daily for decades with screw down crowns.Plus the fact that crown tubes are just normal serviceable disposable items, that are always replaced as part of normal routine service.

Very good point

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Pandacat

I have this inherent fear that every time i screw in the crown on my OP 39, i will strip the crown threads.

How common is this problem?

Or am i just overthinking?

It's not common at all; you would have to be He-man to actually "strip" the threads.

What does happen is that, over time, the threads wear, just like the gears inside the movement. When they are worn out, then they no longer engage properly.

You might deform the threads a bit if you crank it down with a pipewrench.

[Crazy Lugs]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

I wore the same 14060 for almost 20 years, in that time I must have screwed and unscrewed the crown thousands of times and never stripped the threads. You paid a lot for your Rolex, and that's because they're built to last.

And, like everyone else said, the tube can be replaced at service time anyway.

Out of curiosity, what is on your wrist these days?

[Vinnee]

This is a very good point. But what do you wear these days?

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by Crazy Lugs

Out of curiosity, what is on your wrist these days?

Mostly an Explorer 1 214270 mk.II

[Robf52]

overthinking it. Wind, wear and enjoy.

[Megalobyte]

It’s nothing to get wound up over. Or is it.... :)

[Dezie]

I replaced the tube on my 1987 DJ 16013 during lockdown. The crown wouldn't stay down so something had to be done and my go-to watchmaker was closed.

It was a simple job once I figured out how to remove the old tube. It was the 'old style' version which has no internal splines. I found if I pressed a small star key into it, the teeth on the star key just gripped the inside wall of the tube enough to unscrew it. Only took about 30 seconds.

The replacement 6mm tube has splines so I had to source a 3.2mm tool to tighten it down but that was easy enough to find on the net.

Now my watch is back on my wrist and I'm feeling great that I did the job myself.

[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by Robf52

overthinking it. Wind, wear and enjoy.

[Dezie]

Originally Posted by padi56

Plus the fact that crown tubes are just normal serviceable disposable items, that are always replaced as part of normal routine service.

You make it sound like a gasket lol. It's a precision part and not replaced during a routine service.

[SearChart]

A stainless tube is included in the service and the crown for a 39mm OP is €45... Hardly something to worry about.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Dezie

You make it sound like a gasket lol. It's a precision part and not replaced during a routine service.

Crown tubes are always replaced as part of service, its a fully disposable item its just a threaded metal tube nothing more,and sometimes winding crowns too again just disposable service items.

[Dezie]

Originally Posted by padi56

Crown tubes are always replaced as part of service, its a fully disposable item its just a threaded metal tube nothing more,and sometimes winding crowns too again just disposable service items.

Instead of repeating the statement you made previously, why not post a link to an authorised repair centre where this is shown to be part of a routine service?

[samson66]

Originally Posted by padi56

Crown tubes are always replaced as part of service, its a fully disposable item its just a threaded metal tube nothing more,and sometimes winding crowns too again just disposable service items.

That's good to hear. My DJII is (not sure I am saying this right) double threaded. Like the owner before me tried to force it and missed the threads. So, many times I start to close the crown and feel it getting hung up. I back it out and turn the crown some more and try it again. Usually I find the correct threads but it is annoying. Thinking I'll just deal with it until I get to the regular service interval unless I'm damaging it by waiting?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S10 using Tapatalk

[armypilot]

The crown/tube threads gave up the ghost in 2000 after 20 years on my 1980 GMT-Master. I'm now 20 years into this crown and tube. When they go, it's an easy fix and I'm sure I'll get 20+ years out of that set as well.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Dezie

Instead of repeating the statement you made previously, why not post a link to an authorised repair centre where this is shown to be part of a routine service?

Look at post 21 a authorise Rolex service watchmaker,and a plain and simple fact at full RSC service crown tubes are always replaced as part of service.

[Simon_jrees]

Originally Posted by spare

The second...
Never heard of that to happen, was engineered for it to function properly as you do, and it the worst case scenario: an easy fix/replacement when you bring it in for service.

How do you think the original OPs from the 40s survived up till now?

This. My recent Daytona service led to to having a new crown as it was worn, still held the water resistance but worn none the less.

[Dezie]

Originally Posted by padi56

Look at post 21 a authorise Rolex service watchmaker,and a plain and simple fact at full RSC service crown tubes are always replaced as part of service.

Again, you're just repeating yourself. Or in this case, repeating another anonymous poster.

Why not post a link to an authorised service centre where they state that the tube (you're now saying the crown as well lol) is replaced during a routine service?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Dezie

Instead of repeating the statement you made previously, why not post a link to an authorised repair centre where this is shown to be part of a routine service?

A crown tube is a standard replacement, unless it is gold then you're charged extra.

I'm an RSC watchmaker, hopefully that is enough proof for you...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Dezie

Again, you're just repeating yourself. Or in this case, repeating another anonymous poster.

Why not post a link to an authorised service centre where they state that the tube (you're now saying the crown as well lol) is replaced during a routine service?

I dont have to repeat myself this is a simple fact of RSC service, and if you cannot get this simple fact its a waste of time talking to you,and if you can read I stated sometimes crowns are changed to..