Stripped Crown Tube on my AP Royal Oak

[Guest]

Hi Guys.

I have two of my favorite AP ROs that have stripped crown tubes....I need your valuable help and recommendations. I have invested some serious cash in these.... watches, plus Francisco service (cheap)+fedex to and from Spain ($$$)+ AP Bands Croc Straps ($$$) about a grand each....

Options

1. Can I remove the spring load system so the crown just sits on the case?

2. Do a Stem sand/file down (makes me nervous)

3.....Your suggestion...

Thanks for your time!!!!

[stiff muckler]

stiff says you need to replace da tube (and crown, if necessary).

stiff muckler is in da House!

[plaifender]

doubt that actually replacing the crown and tube would be difficult. the difficulty lies in finding the parts.... I'd contact josh to see if he can get you rep tube and crown.. Not sure about where to source gen tube and crown though..

[Guest]

Yeah FInding the parts.....Impossible!!!!

So on to the repair part....Whats the recommendation...

Option 1, or 2, or......?

[mt666tm]

Option 2 works, I've done it a few times.

Remove stem, remove crown from stem, shorten the stem CAREFULLY around 1mm at a time with a knife sharpening stone by hand. Hold the stem with needle nose pliers close to the stone. Don't use a dremel or anything powered cuz you will either shorten it too much too fast, or snap the stem and shoot it across the room if it catches on a funny angle (all have happened to me as well).

[ExtraExtra]

I had the same problem with the SA. With the lack of parts, Ziggy filed it down to match the case. The result is the watch can be wound without pulling the crown, then pull the crown to adjust date and time - work exactly like the Navitimer. Works well.

[Guest]

wow I wasnt thinking out of the box...Thanks guys thats awesome!!!!! shorten stem....but I was thinking from the non crown side...duuuh