Just completed building my Pilot watch (Sellita movement) but there is about 1mm gap between the case and crown. Do I cut the stem shorter or any suggestions please? Was denied to post the picture.
Verify absolutely everything is installed correctly. Then remove the crown and ensure the stem is seated as far into the crown as it will go. I’ve never removed a stem from a crown (only the other way around!) but it’s quite feasible the stem could just go in another 1mm and you skip the work of cutting.
Cutting the stem should be a distant third option, because cutting is irreversible and it’s a PITA to buy a new stem. They’re not expensive or hard to work with, just means less time on your wrist!
Hello,
The stem/crown was pre-cut by DWC so I don’t want to mess with it, besides I don’t have the pin vise for that. Communicated through their Customer (Charlotte) and they’ll be sending a replacement part.
Thanks you for replying.
Joseph
Hi! I’m also having the same problem with the same watch but in the reverse way. My stem is too short when in the case. Works perfectly outside of case. Any suggestions? Unsure if you can extend the stem or not.
There’s a slight chance you can extend it a tiny amount. Assuming DWC assembled it correctly, a little heat should loosen the loc-tite on the crown. Then you unscrew it, clean, apply fresh loc-tite, and re-attach the crown higher up. But this will only get you a few millimeters at best and it’s probably not a ‘best practice’. At a watch shop, they’d toss the stem and cut a new one. If you’re sure it’s too short (and it sounds like you are) you’ll need to contact the company and get a new one. Or you can always just buy one off Amazon for a few bucks, and it’ll get to you faster. If you’re going to get into watch making, you’ll need some on hand anyway, but I know it’s kinda crummy paying the extra $2 to ‘fix’ the kit.