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?

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by kilyung

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.

I agree. That's why I had one watch checked since - to my experience - the crown moved (wobbled - if that is a good word at all) too much. And the response was that everything was fine, and within individual variance.

Now, (and here my lacking skills of English fails me, so my explanation may be poor... ) if you look at the construction of the Rolex crown, it is not fixed to the stem, to allow for the screw down function. So there will - and should - be room for some wobble when the crown is unscrewed.

But, as have been said in this thread already. If it feels bad, have it checked out. And I agree, that lateral stress is bad.

I hope my explanation was possibly to understand... English is not my native language.

Best,

A

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by acce1999

I agree. That's why I had one watch checked since - to my experience - the crown moved (wobbled - if that is a good word at all) too much. And the response was that everything was fine, and within individual variance.

Now, (and here my lacking skills of English fails me, so my explanation may be poor... ) if you look at the construction of the Rolex crown, it is not fixed to the stem, to allow for the screw down function. So there will - and should - be room for some wobble when the crown is unscrewed.

But, as have been said in this thread already. If it feels bad, have it checked out. And I agree, that lateral stress is bad.

I hope my explanation was possibly to understand... English is not my native language.

Best,

A

Your English is excellent, Anders.

On all crowns, not just Rolex, the crown is firmly screwed into the stem with no play. The stem moves in and out and doesn't interfere with proper screwing down as the stem is cut to the proper size.

[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.

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Your English is excellent, Anders.

On all crowns, not just Rolex, the crown is firmly screwed into the stem with no play. The stem moves in and out and doesn't interfere with proper screwing down as the stem is cut to the proper size.

Thanks Mike!

I am not sure that we are saying the same thing, although I hope so. The crown on Rolexes are not firmly attached to the stem. Let me quote this from the internet:

"The Rolex crown to the owner of the watch only appears to be a single unit. Not including the crown gasket, the crown is actually made using four parts. There is the large crown that is used to set the time, change the date, or wind the watch. Attached to this are three more parts. There is a spring, the tube that goes into the case of the watch, and the part that the stem screws into. This part engages the small spring inside the tube of the crown. The entire crown can be taken apart. The part that attaches to the stem has two small flats that are machined into it. This part is the one that engages the spring.

When the crown is unscrewed from the case tube, the spring forces the crown out so that it engages two slots on the crown sleeve or tube. This makes it possible to use the crown to set the time, wind the watch or change the date. When the crown is pushed back into the watch, these parts disengage which then allows the crown to be screwed down upon the case tube. This secures the case, and if all the gaskets are working properly, water and dirt will stay out of the case."

What I am trying to say, is that there is room for play (or wobble, if you like) to a degree, due to the construction of the Rolex crown. On non-screw-down crowns, the winding crown is fixed to the stem, of course. There is no need for a complicated construction like on the Rolex on those watches.

Perhaps, we are confusing the OP with this - IMO interesting - discussion...

(Need to check out from the forum now... Time to go to the cinemas, as it is late afternoon/early evening where I am. Just have to decide which watch to wear... )

Best,

A

Edit: "wobble" is perhaps a poor word on my part... Reading kyungs post above (#13), I'd say that I am talking about the minor movement that is acceptable from the construction of the crown.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by acce1999

Thanks Mike!

I am not sure that we are saying the same thing, although I hope so. The crown on Rolexes are not firmly attached to the stem.

What I am trying to say, is that there is room for play (or wobble, if you like) to a degree, due to the construction of the Rolex crown. On non-screw-down crowns, the winding crown is fixed to the stem, of course. There is no need for a complicated construction like on the Rolex on those watches.

Edit: "wobble" is perhaps a poor word on my part... Reading kyungs post above (#13), I'd say that I am talking about the minor movement that is acceptable from the construction of the crown.

What you quoted is correct but I think you're getting your parts confused. The crown is screwed onto the threaded stem which is then inserted into the stem tube. Inside the tube, the end of the stem called the pivot sits in a hole in the movement plate. The square part of the stem sits inside the castle wheel. Thus the stem is restricted from moving around laterally. Imagine sticking a rod into the ground and wrapping your fingers around the rod. The rod won't move side to side unless your fingers move. Any movement at the other end of the rod is really just the natural elasticity of the rod. Likewise, the stem may flex slightly outside the tube but should not easily move around laterally. Stems are rather stiff so they don't flex much unless you apply some force to them. Tubes and crowns are usually replaced during service but the stem can be retained.