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LucasK · 14 July 2021, 02:59 AM

Hi,

First of all, nice to be here!

Yesterday I finally recieved a grail of mine, a Submariner 16613 from 1997.
Im beyond happy finally obtaining one, I just have one small concern - the crown.
The markings or dots (that defines what type of screw-down the watch has) on the crown seems to have faded and are hardly visible from some angles.

How should a 24 year old Crown in gold look? Do the dots "fade"? Or is it likely that the watch has been polished to hard?

Attached 3 images, from different angles.
Would appreciate someone more experienced giving their opinion!

Best regards

Tools · 14 July 2021, 09:18 AM

The dots don't "fade", but they are just pressed dimples in the metal. You can pretty much hammer them back flat if you bang it enough. They can also be over polished and metal removed.

The danger of metal removal is that, since they are pressed, or raised parts of the crown, you can grind off enough metal on top that you are left with holes where the imprint was

LucasK · 15 July 2021, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

The dots don't "fade", but they are just pressed dimples in the metal. You can pretty much hammer them back flat if you bang it enough. They can also be over polished and metal removed.

The danger of metal removal is that, since they are pressed, or raised parts of the crown, you can grind off enough metal on top that you are left with holes where the imprint was

Thanks for the reply!
Ok I see but shouldn't the same principle apply to the crown-logo on the crown aswell then? I find it odd that the dots have been over polished/worn flat when the crown-logo is visible and looks almost new.

Tools · 15 July 2021, 09:31 AM

Looking at your second picture, it looks like some damage has been done at that side of the crown.

They do just unscrew from the stem and are easily replaced. The newer ones are not gold caps, but are solid gold blocks, machined to fit and with a pressed in stainless core. They are interchangeable,.

swaini3 · 15 July 2021, 09:29 AM

Maybe just the dots part was polished, You can reach smaller areas, it does not have to cover the whole crown.

14 July 2021, 09:18 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,494	The dots don't "fade", but they are just pressed dimples in the metal. You can pretty much hammer them back flat if you bang it enough. They can also be over polished and metal removed. The danger of metal removal is that, since they are pressed, or raised parts of the crown, you can grind off enough metal on top that you are left with holes where the imprint was __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

15 July 2021, 09:31 AM	#4
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,494	Looking at your second picture, it looks like some damage has been done at that side of the crown. They do just unscrew from the stem and are easily replaced. The newer ones are not gold caps, but are solid gold blocks, machined to fit and with a pressed in stainless core. They are interchangeable,. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

15 July 2021, 09:29 AM	#5
swaini3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Real Name: Mo Location: Dubai Watch: 1675 GMT, DRSD Posts: 1,458	Maybe just the dots part was polished, You can reach smaller areas, it does not have to cover the whole crown.

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