Flexible, Jointed Winding Stem On Eta 2824 - Why?

[WillFly]

Mark, I was rewatching your excellent video on servicing an ETA 2824 movement, and noticed that the winding stem had a flexible, two-way joint in the middle. What would the reason for that be - I had assumed most stems would be rigid...

[Mark]

Hi Will,

 

They are called "Split Stems" and are required when the case has no back for example.

 

Notice this case has no back:

 

 

So here is a shot of three of these Thunderbirds - the one on the right is intact. The middle one has the crown removed (it snaps out because it's a split stem) and the third shows the watch out of the case :)

 

[WillFly]

All is now clear - many thanks!

[autowind]

Not heard of a Thunderbird watch before, who makes them and are they mech. or quartz, just curious.

[Mark]

Those are Ikepod watches.

 

http://vintage-ikepod.com/Vintage_Ikepod/Vintage_Ikepod_Thunderbird.html

 

http://www.ikepod.com/

 

These are mechanical with an ETA 2824 and a Dubois Depraz module for the chrono.