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Speedmaster Pro winding
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VetPsychWars
·This is why I suggested (Al, what do you think?) a little silicone grease on the outside of the crown tube. This is where the o-ring in the crown seals. So very little that you wipe it on and wipe it off.
Tom
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Duckie
·This is why I suggested (Al, what do you think?) a little silicone grease on the outside of the crown tube. This is where the o-ring in the crown seals. So very little that you wipe it on and wipe it off.
Tom
I wonder if it would work its way into where it needs to do its thing on the seal.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerThis is why I suggested (Al, what do you think?) a little silicone grease on the outside of the crown tube. This is where the o-ring in the crown seals. So very little that you wipe it on and wipe it off.
Tom
First off, grease is applied to the tube and the inside of the crown when the watch is made, so they don't go out dry by any means. In my experience the seal is so tight on the case tube that the grease you may put there will initially make it better, but once you pull the crown out and push it back in a few times for time setting, it essentially wipes that grease away from the spot where it's needed and it gets tight again.
For years the SM300 cases that Omega were making and were being used to make Watchco-like conversions had very tight crowns. I have callouses on my fingers from turning crowns all day long, so my fingers are used to difficult to turn crowns, but those were even tough for me to turn for any length of time. So I tried many things to loosen those up, but the only thing that will is use and time.
Cheers, Al
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scapa
·Quick update -- after a few weeks of trying and largely failing to wind this Speedy properly I adapted a two-track strategy.
First, I dropped by my AD for a bracelet adjustment on another watch and they graciously offered to put it on their winder for a week. I picked it up on Friday and it has indeed loosened up a bit, as several Omegexperts here prophesied.
Next, I offered my younger son a small bump in his allowance for adding the relatively pleasant chore of winding this Speedy with his smaller and more dextrous fingers, and he signed up with some enthusiasm.
And here we are, ticking along very nicely -- thanks all for the useful advice!
First, I dropped by my AD for a bracelet adjustment on another watch and they graciously offered to put it on their winder for a week. I picked it up on Friday and it has indeed loosened up a bit, as several Omegexperts here prophesied.
Next, I offered my younger son a small bump in his allowance for adding the relatively pleasant chore of winding this Speedy with his smaller and more dextrous fingers, and he signed up with some enthusiasm.
And here we are, ticking along very nicely -- thanks all for the useful advice!
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerFirst, I dropped by my AD for a bracelet adjustment on another watch and they graciously offered to put it on their winder for a week. I picked it up on Friday and it has indeed loosened up a bit, as several Omegexperts here prophesied.
They put it on their "winder"? What sort of winder was this?
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scapa
·They put it on their "winder"? What sort of winder was this?
Oh, by hand, I expect -- so far as I know, sorry for the lazy phrasing. They wound it to full power once a day, which I'd not been able to do. While I was there I played around with an Apollo 8, which was noticeably smoother and easier to wind than my Speedy.
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Evitzee
·Oh, by hand, I expect -- so far as I know, sorry for the lazy phrasing. They wound it to full power once a day, which I'd not been able to do. While I was there I played around with an Apollo 8, which was noticeably smoother and easier to wind than my Speedy.
Edited:
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Duckie
·Quick update -- after a few weeks of trying and largely failing to wind this Speedy properly I adapted a two-track strategy.
First, I dropped by my AD for a bracelet adjustment on another watch and they graciously offered to put it on their winder for a week. I picked it up on Friday and it has indeed loosened up a bit, as several Omegexperts here prophesied.
Next, I offered my younger son a small bump in his allowance for adding the relatively pleasant chore of winding this Speedy with his smaller and more dextrous fingers, and he signed up with some enthusiasm.
And here we are, ticking along very nicely -- thanks all for the useful advice!
Outstanding solution.
Well done on every level indeed😀
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Duckie
·There are a few winders that specifically wind a manual watch's crown, but I doubt a dealer would have such a winder in their shop. It should not be so stiff to wind a Speedmaster that you have to pay an eight year old to wind it (but nice work if you can get it). Hopefully you'll be able to get it to a point where you can fly solo. My Ultraman was about as stiff as any Speedmaster I've owned but has loosened up considerably in the year I've owned it. The Apollo 8 is very easy to wind, but a different case and crown design gives much better grip on the crown, it's about the easiest I've seen.
Some people simply have more dexterity than others.
And then there are those who have extra fat and stubby fingers. We have one on our gang who we affectionately nickname Stumpy as opposed to his real name behind his back.
Looks like the OP has worked out a mutually beneficial solution between him and his son.
One only hopes the young fellow gets a bit of a taste for it and not turned off.
I personally would've had him do it as a daily favour for me😉
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Johnny_C
·Ive got a 60s piepan gold Constellation which i love and is a daily wear.
The winder is stiff (last dervice 15 years ago!) it feels more like the mechanism. However i wonderered a little lubrication might help.
There are 2 options and i know from precision which you use is critical you can gum a tight joint up.
They are lithium orcsilicone, or graphite powder.
Graphite powder is used for precision locks as it tends to stay wherenits put and not work its way inside.
Does.anyone know anything about the choices?
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Canuck
·Difficulty winding a manual winder? Here’s what you need. Likely no longer made, but Bergeon offered this stem winder about 70 years ago. Not much use for pocket watches, but very useful for wrist watches. Could be used on automatic winders as well.
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Johnny_C
·Bergeon have a manual. Winder about £40 and used to have an electric one about £1k+.ive bought a manual going to see ifni can attach the grip to one of those mini electric screwdrivers kickstarter sell for about £20
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Johnny_C
·This is it. Has a marker so you can count turns and not overwind.
