Hi everyone! I just got my Noob PAM111 and while overall it's pretty darn good (I used to own a gen) - the crown is loose (wobbly) when the lever is opened (seems to not affect operation as both winding and time setting works fine). Wanted to see if anyone had this issue and if there ia an easy way to fix it? Also, I already heard of Strodda but are there any other good modders who can waterproof it for me in case his turnaround times are too long? Thanks in advance and apologies if my questions repetitive/stupid.
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PAM111 Noob Wobbly crown
- Thread starter Goodwin095
- Start date
It's not a stupid question, although it is repetitive as it has been mentioned before. The way to fix this is
1. Remove crown guard.
2. Unscrew caseback.
3. Loosen (not remove) the screw that locks the stem in place. Probably just a quarter turn.
4. Remove the stem.
5. Insert the stem on a pin vise and lock the crown onto the stem (a little weak threadlocker, Loctit 243 is a common one, for some insurance can be applied).
6. Re-insert the stem into the case/movement.
7. Re-lock the screw in #3.
8. Screw in caseback and tighten it.
9. Re-attach the crownguard (again, some weak threadlocker on the screws for some insurance).
Finished!
Now if any of that sounds complicated to you, or you don't have the tools, or both, bring it to a rep-friendly watchmaker who will make short work of that procedure. Probably less than 10 minutes work if he's relaxing.
Now if you're thinking, why don't I just try to tighten the crown by turning the crown clockwise? That's hard and even dangerous to do. First off, at a certain point, when the spring inside is fully wound, you will feel some resistance when you wind it. One would think, well if I continue winding the crown it should tighten right? Well, it could, but also since the spring inside is already at its limit, tightening even further might break something inside, then you would have even bigger problems, and you would have to bring it to a watchmaker and you'd have to explain what happened and he'd look at you and tell you "You should have brought it to me when your only problem was the wobbly crown. It would take me less than 10 minutes, if I'm relaxing." :lol:
1. Remove crown guard.
2. Unscrew caseback.
3. Loosen (not remove) the screw that locks the stem in place. Probably just a quarter turn.
4. Remove the stem.
5. Insert the stem on a pin vise and lock the crown onto the stem (a little weak threadlocker, Loctit 243 is a common one, for some insurance can be applied).
6. Re-insert the stem into the case/movement.
7. Re-lock the screw in #3.
8. Screw in caseback and tighten it.
9. Re-attach the crownguard (again, some weak threadlocker on the screws for some insurance).
Finished!
Now if any of that sounds complicated to you, or you don't have the tools, or both, bring it to a rep-friendly watchmaker who will make short work of that procedure. Probably less than 10 minutes work if he's relaxing.
Now if you're thinking, why don't I just try to tighten the crown by turning the crown clockwise? That's hard and even dangerous to do. First off, at a certain point, when the spring inside is fully wound, you will feel some resistance when you wind it. One would think, well if I continue winding the crown it should tighten right? Well, it could, but also since the spring inside is already at its limit, tightening even further might break something inside, then you would have even bigger problems, and you would have to bring it to a watchmaker and you'd have to explain what happened and he'd look at you and tell you "You should have brought it to me when your only problem was the wobbly crown. It would take me less than 10 minutes, if I'm relaxing." :lol:
Thanks a lot! Seems like I am lacking pin vise and thread locker to perform it. Torn between the desire to do it quickly and properly. Assume I am also lacking a tool to open case-back. Is there a definitive list of rep-friendly watchmakers by city byanychance?It's not a stupid question, although it is repetitive as it has been mentioned before. The way to fix this is
1. Remove crown guard.
2. Unscrew caseback.
3. Loosen (not remove) the screw that locks the stem in place. Probably just a quarter turn.
4. Remove the stem.
5. Insert the stem on a pin vise and lock the crown onto the stem (a little weak threadlocker, Loctit 243 is a common one, for some insurance can be applied).
6. Re-insert the stem into the case/movement.
7. Re-lock the screw in #3.
8. Screw in caseback and tighten it.
9. Re-attach the crownguard (again, some weak threadlocker on the screws for some insurance).
Finished!
Now if any of that sounds complicated to you, or you don't have the tools, or both, bring it to a rep-friendly watchmaker who will make short work of that procedure. Probably less than 10 minutes work if he's relaxing.
Now if you're thinking, why don't I just try to tighten the crown by turning the crown clockwise? That's hard and even dangerous to do. First off, at a certain point, when the spring inside is fully wound, you will feel some resistance when you wind it. One would think, well if I continue winding the crown it should tighten right? Well, it could, but also since the spring inside is already at its limit, tightening even further might break something inside, then you would have even bigger problems, and you would have to bring it to a watchmaker and you'd have to explain what happened and he'd look at you and tell you "You should have brought it to me when your only problem was the wobbly crown. It would take me less than 10 minutes, if I'm relaxing." :lol:
No there is not, as it could be an ever changing list. Reputable watchmakers definitely won't advertise that they'll work on reps, but if you approach them with just the basic "My watch crown is wobbly, can you fix it?" rather than "My rep watch has a wobbly crown." then maybe they'll be more open to fix it (and like I said, it takes a short time to do). Also don't go to watchmakers attached to (or usually inside) ADs obviously. The independent ones usually are easier to approach.
Maybe if I keep it even more generic- there will be even less suspicion? For example "hello, my mechanical device has a critical part loose"
Maybe if I keep it even more generic- there will be even less suspicion? For example "hello, my mechanical device has a critical part loose"
Well up to you regarding the wording. To me, mechanical device instead of watch and critical part instead of crown sounds trying too hard (and actually sounds more complicated than it needs to be).
It's not a stupid question, although it is repetitive as it has been mentioned before. The way to fix this is
1. Remove crown guard.
2. Unscrew caseback.
3. Loosen (not remove) the screw that locks the stem in place. Probably just a quarter turn.
4. Remove the stem.
5. Insert the stem on a pin vise and lock the crown onto the stem (a little weak threadlocker, Loctit 243 is a common one, for some insurance can be applied).
6. Re-insert the stem into the case/movement.
7. Re-lock the screw in #3.
8. Screw in caseback and tighten it.
9. Re-attach the crownguard (again, some weak threadlocker on the screws for some insurance).
Finished!
Now if any of that sounds complicated to you, or you don't have the tools, or both, bring it to a rep-friendly watchmaker who will make short work of that procedure. Probably less than 10 minutes work if he's relaxing.
Now if you're thinking, why don't I just try to tighten the crown by turning the crown clockwise? That's hard and even dangerous to do. First off, at a certain point, when the spring inside is fully wound, you will feel some resistance when you wind it. One would think, well if I continue winding the crown it should tighten right? Well, it could, but also since the spring inside is already at its limit, tightening even further might break something inside, then you would have even bigger problems, and you would have to bring it to a watchmaker and you'd have to explain what happened and he'd look at you and tell you "You should have brought it to me when your only problem was the wobbly crown. It would take me less than 10 minutes, if I'm relaxing." :lol:
Ok, thanks again for the advice! I got thread locker and pin vise and did what you suggested which reaulted in crown becoming tighter while still not 100% (I was afraid to tighten in further out of fear of damaging the thread). However after I assembled everything back my crown lost it's neutral position which it usually assumes with CG lever open. In other words the crown now is either pushed into the case ( but it still winds the watch in this position), or it is in a time setting position. Did I overtighten it or reinserted it incorrectly?
Thanks again!