DIY Crown Winder

[Fergus]

Old worn crown and big mits.

Make yourself a crown winder. Crown winders can be purchased from most watch parts oulets but I found them to be made up of metal parts and because this watch has a 9K gold case wanted something more friendly to it. The crown may also be gold.

I have just completed the service restoration on this Smiths Astral. The owner (friend) wanted it brought back to life for sentimental reasons so to keep everything original I left the crown alone. Yes, I could have fitted an AM crown but felt it would look out of place and it'll spend much of its life in a box anyway. So for the rare occasional wind up I made this tool from manshed drawer parts.

1. Kenwood Mixer Rubber Foot - www.amazon.co.uk/KENWOOD-RUBBER-FOOT-SET-PCS-KW650568/dp/B0034OQ0SU
2. 10mm splined dowel.
3. 2.5mm x 20mm C'sunk wood screw.

Drill 2mm diameter hole x 20mm deep in the end of 2. Attach 1 to 2 with 3.

The inside bore of the foot is 4.5mm and expands to fit the 5mm crown which, though worn on its outer, still has some spline left.

It works well on my hand winders so I'm making another for myself.







As it arrived..

[inboost]

Nicely done Fergus! I actually must admit to having purchased a Bergeon crown manipulator and  sent it back after realizing it was no more than what you have made and didn't fit most of my crowns anyway.  I knew better to make one myself but I had a credit on Amazon and so spent it on myself instead of laundry detergent etc. Of course in the end the laundry detergent (HE stuff is bloody expensive) was what came in it's place. Meanwhile my fingers continue to struggle with the little shrouded crowns like the those found on the 5126-7030 I  have worn today.

[Fergus]

Yes, I struggle with some of the small shrouded crowns but at least with an auto you don't have to wind it. Their BIG issue is date/day setting if they don't have quickset. I assume that's why Seiko came up with the idea.