kenmasters Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Hi, I bought a Noobmariner, originally from TK less than a year ago. I gave it to a friend and a week ago he says the crown fell out while he was adjusting it. Is this a common problem ? How can I fix it myself ? Thanks! K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 If you have to ask, probably not. Either the crown unscrewed from the stem (remove caseback, release stem, screw crown back onto stem, reinstall stem) or the stem broke (replace stem) or the stem release in the keyless works got bent & it can no longer lock the stem in the movement (disassemble the keyless works, find/fix the problem, reassemble). If you post a good, clear close-up pic of the part of inside of the crown, I can tell you more (refer to the 'Macro' section of your camera's manual). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 i tightened the crown too tightly on one of my other non noob watches and the tube snapped. quite rare i bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenmasters Posted November 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Ok, I'll have to take a closer look by opening up the case. The stem is still attached to the crown. Broken stem ? worth fixing ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJR Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 PM sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJR Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Ok, I'll have to take a closer look by opening up the case. The stem is still attached to the crown. Broken stem ? worth fixing ? Is it the entire stem and crown together? Or is it part of the stem with the crown attached? If it is the entire stem, the stem will taper down and look smaller on the end. If it is the same size with threads then it broke off. One thing you have to be very careful of when removing the stem is damaging the keyless works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 I've gotten pretty good at screwing up the keyless works on the CN movements and I would guess that's probably the case in this situation. They seem to be much more delicate than the eta movements. Then you're faced with the old dilemna, paying $30-40 to fix a $10 movement. But I've had them fixed in the past and had good results after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJR Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 I've gotten pretty good at screwing up the keyless works on the CN movements and I would guess that's probably the case in this situation. They seem to be much more delicate than the eta movements. Then you're faced with the old dilemna, paying $30-40 to fix a $10 movement. But I've had them fixed in the past and had good results after that. Yea, if you push the release to hard it will mess up the KW. On the A21 you have to push very gently while pulling on the stem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenmasters Posted November 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Got a pic.. looks like the stem did not snap off.. I'll open it up later this week to see if it'll go in. Is there a pictorial of how to do this on this forum somewhere? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Sorry to say this, but the stem did break. You will need to both get a replacement stem (julesborel, ofrei, cousinsuk, etc) & remove the broken end that is still probably in the clutch gear in the keyless works (though it is possible that the broken piece could have fallen out of the watch, you may still need to open it up to verify). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 I agree with Freddy, broken stem. I think a watchmaker would be in order, and you might have to buy a whole new movement- does Borel or Ofrei sell just chinese stems?? Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenmasters Posted November 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Crap.. what does a full stem suppose to look like ? I'm thinking its not worth it for a $100 watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Kinda a crap shoot. Buy a movement for say $25, and pay a watchmaker $30-40 to install it. Or just buy another watch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJR Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Based on your pics you should be able to take the piece of the stem that is stuck in your keyless works out without taking the watch movment apart. You will need some tweezers to do it but most likley you should have enough exposed to get it out. Who ever your friend is that you let borrow your watch owes you a repair bill. This could not break without him messing with the crown. Maybe he didnt damage the movment in the process. Does the watch still run at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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