[TheTigerUK]

The metal rings are not after market they are the original movement holders and should have a spring running round the top of them.

The plastic rings are your dial spacers that go between your dial and movement.

Your crown/stems look as though they are missing the male section as well as the spring and washer.

 

[TheTigerUK]

Ah, just when I thought I might have been in luck! Slim chance I know, but is there anywhere to get hold of the spring needed? Or an alternative instead? Wonder if I can DIY one out of wire perhaps....!


I think with the crown the male stem section is actually in the crown head itself as there is the notched stem aspect inside which fits in the female section - my poor picture doesn't really make this very evident! A lazy option might just be to get the new complete stem as the missing washer might prove a little troublesome procuring..!

I know some guys have made new springs out of guitar wire if they cant get the original, i have been lucky and been able to use originals in mine which i prefer to do.

New OEM springs and washers are available still i believe, a new complete stem is another option if you can source any (if you do find a source for originals please give me a heads up, thanks)

 

[TheTigerUK]

Just out of interest i have just changed a cracked one for a friend and replaced with an original, never had anything to do with the after market ones.

 

[TheTigerUK]

Was the replacement taken from a "scrap" watch, or did you manage to find an unused one?


Looking at the photos, there appear to be a multitude of small cracks on the inside. Suggests weakness and gradual failure from stress, rather than a one-time catastrophic failure on removal and refitting. Could it be the build-up of corrosion between the ring and the case forces the ring outwards, stressing it until it breaks?

The replacement was from a spares watch i had.

I don't see any other cracks looking under a lupe.

I don't know how it split but there was water damage in the movement but that could also have been due to the fact the gaskets had never been changed, I think all the corrosion in the area of the crack could of happened after the crack as there was a considerable build up of rust, also under the bezel it was full of rust.