Wobbly Crown?

[psharpless]

Just got a pre-owned Day Date. When I pull the stem out all the way to set the time or day the stem/crown seems a bit wobbly. Is this normal? The watch is a 1980 production, single quick-set, calibre 3055 Day Date model 18038. The day is not advancing at all and the seller has agreed to pay for a watchmaker to repair this. Should I mention the wobbly crown too or is this normal? Thanks for advice from knowledgable forum sources!!

[kilyung]

Is it the crown or the stem that's wobbly?

[psharpless]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Is it the crown or the stem that's wobbly?

when pulled out all the way, the crown and stem pivots and and will move around or wobble; the crown is firmly attached to the stem

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by psharpless

when pulled out all the way, the crown and stem pivots and and will move around or wobble; the crown is firmly attached to the stem

If it's wobbling that much, I'd guess best case you need a new stem due to wear. Worst case, you'll also need a new castle wheel. Either way, it's a job for a watchmaker.

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by kilyung

If it's wobbling that much, I'd guess best case you need a new stem due to wear. Worst case, you'll also need a new castle wheel. Either way, it's a job for a watchmaker.

I agree with Mike.

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by kilyung

If it's wobbling that much, I'd guess best case you need a new stem due to wear. Worst case, you'll also need a new castle wheel. Either way, it's a job for a watchmaker.

Not necessarily... I've experienced wobbling on brand new watches, and actually had one checked out since I wasn't convinced that everything was fine... but it was.

Anyway, if the impression is that the wobbling is too much, it is well worth looking into.

Best,

A

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by acce1999

Not necessarily... I've experienced wobbling on brand new watches, and actually had one checked out since I wasn't convinced that everything was fine... but it was.

Anyway, if the impression is that the wobbling is too much, it is well worth looking into.

Best,

A

Lateral stress on a stem is very very bad regardless of brand. You can damage the winding works and maybe even break the stem. I would expect some FLEX if it's a long stem but nothing that I'd describe as a wobble.

[Darlinboy]

Originally Posted by psharpless

Just got a pre-owned Day Date. When I pull the stem out all the way to set the time or day the stem/crown seems a bit wobbly. Is this normal? The watch is a 1980 production, single quick-set, calibre 3055 Day Date model 18038. The day is not advancing at all and the seller has agreed to pay for a watchmaker to repair this. Should I mention the wobbly crown too or is this normal? Thanks for advice from knowledgable forum sources!!

Wobble is not normal and could be an easy fix or quite expensive, depending in the issue. Watchmaker can tell - seller should pay.

[dddrees]

A service might be in order, do you know when the watch was last serviced? If you can talk the person into getting the watch serviced by a person with a Rolex parts account this would probably be your best bet.

[1bad750]

Not normal, also the older day dates the time is usually moved while twisting the crown down, not up like the newer ones.

[WhatTheDeuce]

I had a wobbly crown on my 1997 DJ, and I always got close to cross-threading it. I got it serviced and the wobbly went away.