Whether your watch crown was broken off or simply disappeared one day, you don’t have to throw your favorite watch away. Use this guide to learn how to measure a waterproof watch crown without the crown so you can order a replacement and keep wearing your favorite watch.
You can tell that your watch crown is a waterproof one by checking on the watch case for a stamp of “water resistant” or “waterproof”. Watches without this marking will not have a waterproof crown.
Tools Needed:
- A digital gauge
- And a notepad and pen
Step 1
The first thing you will need to do is determine the diameter of the missing watch crown. To do this you will need the watch case and your digital gauge.
Hold the watch case in you hand so that the hole where the crown used to be is clearly visible and easily accessible. You should be able to see a small cut out or indent around the hole for the watch stem where the crown would sit. This is the diameter you will measure.
Take your digital gauge and position the backward opening jaws inside the indent. Open them wide enough that they will sit on either side of the case tube and stem then open them further until they stretch snugly from one edge of the indent to the other.
Repeat this measurement a few times to ensure you have an accurate result and then record the diameter on your notepad.
Option 2
You can use the regular jaws of your digital gauge to measure for the crown size. Simply open the jaws wider than the indent in the metal watch case where the crown would normally sit, then close the jaws until the rest at the outside edges of the indent.
If you choose to use this method, be sure to repeat the measurement several times since you are estimating where the indent edges are and you digital gauge jaws will not catch against them. Once you are satisfied with the accuracy of your reading, record the measurement on your notepad.
Step 2
Next you will need to find out what the post size of your crown is. Note: if you are missing the case tube for your waterproof watch crown as well, you will need to take your watch to a professional to get the crown replaced.
Holding the watch case on its side in your hand still, take your digital gauge and use the regular jaws to measure the outside diameter of the case tube to find the post size. Open the jaws wider than the case tube and then close them snugly around the case tube.
Record the post size measurement on your notepad.
Step 3
The last measurement you will need will be to find the tap size of the crown. To do this, you will need to remove the watch stem from the watch case and movement. For help doing this, please check out these links:
Be sure to keep the case tube in place while you remove the stem.
Step 4
Once you have removed the stem of the watch, take your digital gauge and use it to measure the outside diameter at the threaded end portion of the stem. Again, close the jaws around the end of the watch stem until they grip the metal closely.
If the stem has been damaged and you cannot measure the threaded portion, you can use the movement number on the movement itself to look up the correct size stem and tap for the watch.
Record the measurement of the tap size. Note: sometimes the tap size is not always listed in millimeters, to convert your millimeter measurement to the correct tap size, check out this conversion chart.
Step 5
Once you have all three measurements in hand you are ready to order your new watch crown. All you have left to do is decide if you want a white or yellow crown to match your watch case, and if you want the crown to be flat or domed.
Finished
With all your measurements and styles in mind, you can order your new watch crown here! Or, to learn more about removing, replacing, or measuring watch crowns, visit our Learning Center today!
I did all these measurements but the chart calls for a Btl number. Where or how do I determine the Btl number?
Hello,
I’m not sure which chart you’re referring to, but if you are looking at the waterproof crown chart found here:
https://blog.esslinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/WATERPROOF-CROWNS.pdf
The part number is listed to the right of the measurements, and that part number can be found by using the search bar on our website http://www.esslinger.com