I learned a valuable lesson. While many Chinese watches are excellent value - especially when they use Seiko movements - buying an automatic watch with a screw down crown is just asking for trouble. The screw mechanism is bound to fail if you use it every day. In future I'll stick to solar for dive watches, and I'll keep this thing on my wrist and the winder, likely only setting it once a week.
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Why would you use the screw down crown on your watch every day?
On both my Omegas and Rolex’s I have never had a problem with the screw down crown. 
Mech Spec wroteI expect the time on my wrist to be accurate. I've learned that lesson too - if I do buy another automatic it will be COSC.Why would you use the screw down crown on your watch every day?
Well it's been about 2 weeks since I set my SSK005 daily thrasher and its about 20 seconds off.
Maybe $150 junker watches are the problem?
Also, why do you need precise time? launching rockets and tracking telemetry are we?
Maybe $150 junker watches are the problem?
Also, why do you need precise time? launching rockets and tracking telemetry are we?
Mech Spec wroteBut the watch has the same Seiko movement and is not junk by any means.Well it's been about 2 weeks since I set my SSK005 daily thrasher and its about 20 seconds off.
Maybe $150 junker watches are the problem?
Also, why do you need precise time? launching rockets and tracking telemetry are we?
So the watch, that you just told us had the crown stem snap off, and kept such poor time you need to set it daily, is not junk?
Id warrant its actually just user error on snapping the stem. It's sealed with an o-ring and you don't need to tighten it down much to get full water seal.
Id warrant its actually just user error on snapping the stem. It's sealed with an o-ring and you don't need to tighten it down much to get full water seal.
Junky watches are junk, News at 11.
Seriously, your issue is junk watches, not automatics with crowns. Winder is probably worth more than the watch.
Seriously, your issue is junk watches, not automatics with crowns. Winder is probably worth more than the watch.
DanG wroteYes can't say I've had issues such as this with my Omegas either.On both my Omegas and Rolex’s I have never had a problem with the screw down crown.
DanG wroteMy Oris's, Omega, Tudor, hell, even on my Victorinox watches that I loved when I first got into watches, never had any issues with the screw down crown. I think the issue is the cheap Chinese watch overall isn't really made to last long, let alone keep time properly.On both my Omegas and Rolex’s I have never had a problem with the screw down crown.
OP, I think it makes the most sense to pick up a watch with a Quartz movement, sort of set it and forget it. If you do decide to go with an automatic movement, I don't think you can get a better bang for the buck than a Seiko SSK watch.
Bumpinjeep wroteHalf of them solar in a mix of Swiss, Citizen, Seiko, Casio and Timex. Let me say it again: this Boderry - which works fine now - has the same movement as the Seiko SSK. I will not buy watches with Chinese movements, even Seagull.OP, I think it makes the most sense to pick up a watch with a Quartz movement, sort of set it and forget it. If you do decide to go with an automatic movement, I don't think you can get a better bang for the buck than a Seiko SSK watch.
Truth be told one reason I set this watch daily was to ensure that the crown - which had a stiff spring from day one - broke during the warranty period.
I totally get it—screw-down crowns can wear out fast with daily use. Solar dive watches definitely make sense if you want something reliable without the fuss. Keeping the automatic on a winder and setting it once a week sounds like a smart balance. Great lesson for all watch lovers!
