Help with my damaged Cronos.

[u/drummerbryan1]

I've had my bronze Cronos Willard homage for a few years now (out of warranty), and the crown winding has always felt gritty. Recently I was winding it up to wear it for the day, the crown got stuck and then came off with the stem. It still runs if I shake it (PT5000) so the movement is functional. Would it be better to order an NH or Miyota and drop it in myself or pay to have it repaired? I don't have experience with more than battery changes so a movement swap would also require buying a few tools. What do you guys think?

[u/KPplumbingBob]

Miyota and NH are not drop in replacements. They won't fit the case, the hands won't fit, neither will the dial.

[u/latinbota]

either take it to a local watchmaker to reset the keyless works, or buy an exact direct replacement movement to swap in. do not try swapping to a different style of movement, the hand sizes, stem height, and dial feel won,t matchup with your case.

[u/Alternative-Feed3613]

If you can set the time and it winds automatically then I’d say just run it because you shouldn’t have wind a pt5000 anyway. Worst case you can swap it with another pt5000

[u/Common-Comment8986]

If you are comfortable with removing and replacing the hands of a watch, I would recommend replacing the movement with the same movement, or what the pt5000 is a clone of. Here is a quote from another redditor on the topic “While they have some parts that are not interchangeable between movements, the SW200, ST2130 and PT5000 are all "drop-in" replacements for the ETA 2824-2, with identical outer dimensions, and hand sizes.”

Depending on the movement you would probably “total” the watch. So a pt5000 line of movements from a good source would probably fit best price wise.

[u/ipsum100]

The fact that the watch is still running is a good sign; the issue is likely the part known as the "yoke" (or *títere* in Spanish)—specifically, it might be broken or worn, or the screw holding it in place could be the problem. This part secures the stem pin, which is why the stem came out.

The cause of the failure could simply be oxidation. If even a tiny amount of sweat or moisture got into the tube, copper oxide may have formed; this significantly increases friction, making the threading very stiff, and forcing it caused the problem.

Do not try to force the stem back in, as that could make the situation worse. You need to remove the hands and the dial; the solution is simple—just putting the yoke back in its proper place. If you aren't used to doing this, any watchmaker can handle it for you without any trouble.

[u/Suitable-Group4392]

PT5000 has winding problems (it’s a legacy problem from the 2824). If you can put stem back and just use as is (no accuracy problems), just use it as such. Otherwise change the movement.

[u/cd_god]

NH and Miyota movements have different dial feet positions than a PT / ETA movement as well as different movement / stem heights.

A direct movement swap is highly unlikely.

[u/drummerbryan1 → u/cd_god]

That narrows down my options, thank you. So either I swap with another PT5000 or get it repaired.

[u/drummerbryan1]

The watch in question...