Zenith 12-4-P-6 crown stuck

[Khan]

Hi

The crown wont turn anti-clockwise as well as not able to pull out to set the time. 

The push button to release the crown is super stuck as well. 

Any idea how to proceed from here? 

Is the crown wheel screw to be turned clockwise or anti clockwise?? 

 

Edited July 11, 2024 by Khan

[SwissSeiko]

You could put some penetrating oil on the setting lever release and between the crown and case. yes the crown wheel should be anti-clockwise, but also looks like there may be some rust on it, as I suspect there is water ingress from the crown.

[Khan]

Ok I will try that thanks. 

Just to be sure, do you mean that the crown wheel screw should be loosen by turning it anti-clockwise? 

 

[SwissSeiko]

4 minutes ago, Khan said:

Ok I will try that thanks. 

Just to be sure, do you mean that the crown wheel screw should be loosen by turning it anti-clockwise? 

 

Yes, the screw in red "should" be but I have run into a few that are not. But looking at the marks on the screw, it confirms that its reverse threaded. This is where the last watchmaker used a little too much torque, so it might be harder to get off

 

[Khan]

Okay thank you for explaining in details, a pleasure. 

[Khan]

Yes...you guessed right - there is definitely some rust! I only need to loosen the setting lever release button from the plate and the winding pinion from the stem. Any tips? 

[rjenkinsgb]

I use a rust remover made from 5g EDTA powder in 100ml deionised water, plus a drop of washing up liquid (dish soap). It's not fast, but it does not affect the base metal.

These are some bits I've just done, from an old wooden case I got to store some watchmaking tools; before and after an overnight soak. The residual light brown marks are from me not drying them properly (plus the box was originally varnished after the latches were added).

I use the same mix on watch parts and old tools, and it works equally well:

[Khan]

Guess what..

I managed to pull the stem out with some force and a "stem-holder". I began with soaking it in vinegar up to couple of hours which didnt work that much. 

[AndyGSi]

Good news. Pinons don't look too bad from the photos do you think they're re-useable? 

[Khan]

The pinions are luckily quite crisp in the teeth and so on. The stem thread got a little thinner after scraping the rust away but seems to be strong enough in construction. 

[AndyGSi]

1 hour ago, Khan said:

The pinions are luckily quite crisp in the teeth and so on. The stem thread got a little thinner after scraping the rust away but seems to be strong enough in construction. 

For the cost of it I think I'd just replace the stem anyway.