The watch crown is one of the most important components of a wristwatch. It is a small, cylindrical knob located on the side of the watch case that is used to wind and set the time on the watch. The crown is also responsible for adjusting other functions of the watch, such as the date and any additional complications the watch may have.
What is the Crown of the Watch?
The crown, also known as the watch push-button, is to adjust the time.
In ordinary watches, it is used to adjust the time. In some multifunctional watches, such as chronographs, it is used to pause or start the time, or to reset it.
Without it, you can only check time, not to adjust the correct time.
rolex embossed logo crownHistory of the Watch Crown
The watch crown has a rich history that dates back to the earliest days of watchmaking. The first watches were portable clocks that were worn around the neck or carried in a pocket. These watches were wound with a separate key that was inserted into a hole in the back of the watch case.
In the mid-19th century, pocket watches began to evolve into smaller, more compact wristwatches. As the design of the watch changed, so did the winding mechanism. The key was replaced by a small knob that was attached to the watch case. This knob, which was called the crown, was easier to use and more convenient for the wearer.
Over time, the crown became an essential component of the watch, allowing users to wind and set the time quickly and easily. Today, the crown is still used in most watches, and it has become an iconic symbol of watchmaking.
The Structure of The Watch Crown
In general, the bar has 3 parts, the crown head, the bar tube, and the spring.
According to the different watches, There are single pieces, two sets, three sets, etc.,
If it is not a special requirement crown, The single piece will be relatively high-end.
The below picture is a one-piece oil pressure logo embryo
The Functionality of the Watch Crown
The primary function of the watch crown is to wind the watch. When the crown is turned clockwise, it rotates the watch’s mainspring, which powers the watch’s movement. The mainspring is a coiled spring that stores mechanical energy and releases it in a controlled manner to power the watch.
The crown also controls other functions of the watch, such as the date and any additional complications the watch may have. For example, if the watch has a chronograph function, the crown may be used to start, stop, and reset the stopwatch.
Some watches have a screw-down crown, which provides additional water resistance. A screw-down crown has a rubber gasket that creates a seal when the crown is screwed into the case. This prevents water from entering the watch through the crown.
Types of Watch Crowns
There are several shapes and types of watch crowns, each with unique features and benefits.
According to the Function:
- Push-pull Watch Crown: A push-pull crown is the most common type of watch crown. It is designed to be pushed or pulled to adjust the time or date on the watch. This type of crown is easy to use and is suitable for most everyday watches.
- Screw-down Watch Crown: A screw-down crown is a type of crown that requires the user to unscrew it before use. This type of crown provides additional water resistance, making it ideal for divers’ watches or watches that are exposed to water regularly.
According to the Shape:
- Onion Watch Crown : An onion crown is a type of crown that is shaped like an onion. It is often used on vintage watches and has a unique, classic look.
- Fluted Watch Crown: A fluted crown is a type of crown that has ridges or grooves around the edge. It is often used on luxury watches and provides a secure grip for the user.
- Cabochon Crown: A cabochon crown is a type of crown that has a gemstone or other decorative element on end. This type of crown is often used on high-end watches and adds a touch of elegance to the watch’s design.
- flat-headed Watch Crown: Like the name suggests, his head is flat.
- Convex Crown: The crown is the shape of the head that’s raised.
- Round Head Watch Crown: Round head watch crown means that the head is round in shape.
- Water Bottle Shape Watch Crown: Water bottle shape watch crown is like the old fat water bottle shape.
- Pumpkin Shape Watch Crown: Pumpkin shape watch crown is the shape of the vegetable pumpkin we eat.
- Irregular Shaped Push Watch Crown: The irregular shaped Push watch crown is the irregularly shaped crown.
different irregular shapes of Crown
- None-standard Screw Down Watch Crown: None-standard Screw down watch crown is a special design of the crown, is not commonly used
The Artwork of the Crowns
The finish of the crown head:
rough finish, glossy, fine finish, full gloss; matt; round sand; straight sand; high gloss; CD pattern
Surface treatment: PVD(IP plating), AFP, Painting, Glued, Anodising, Water plating.
Waterproof: 1-30 ATM
The Classification of the Crown:
The crown is generally divided into two kinds of, one is ordinary crown and one is screw crown ;
Ordinary crown is divided into two kinds: one is the E; one is the T; the simple understanding is the E is flat, T protrudes a section.
Check the below picture, The left side is T, the right side is E
Difference of Ordinary crown and Screw down Crown?
The ordinary one is directly put in the Bar tube, you can directly push and pull to control the gear to operate the movement of various work;
The screw crown is the bar tube was lock in screw structure, if you want to operate the crown, you need to unscrew it first.
The ordinary crown is generally used in normal watches, and casual style, for watches which is 30-50mwaterproof, the screwed crown is generally used in diving, sports style, etc., and the screw crown is used in watches that are over 100m waterproof
Diving watches are internal spring structures, so the movement of different spring elasticities will be different, for example, the 2824 movement of the crown elasticity of 0.8N-1.3N
Waterproof Principle of Crown:
Use the O-ring to tighten around the tube to waterproof, general waterproof O-ring diameter of 0.6mm, Bar tube in the gap between the crown of about 0.05mm on one side, thickening the waterproof O-ring or adding more waterproof O-ring can properly improve the waterproof level.
With the ordinary bar tube, use the holding force + waterproof glue to fix the crown on the case.
Below is the structure of an ordinary E crown tube:
Diving watches all use screw crowns also with more O-rings, In simple understanding, the better the waterproof grade, the more O-ring. When required >500m Waterproof, we generally weld the crown tube on the case.
There are generally two ways to weld; one is laser welding; Another is to add welding paste, then Quenching the case, and then tempered welding. (which method to use, depends on the case material and polishing process)
The following drawing is a high waterproof watch:
The top picture is a Crown, and the bottom picture is a Crown Tube.
- 1 is the screw teeth/thread, the teeth for fixing the case structure,
- 2 is the screw teeth/thread, the teeth are for fixing the crown tube, and the crown tube structure
For strengthen waterproof function purposes, we will add 2 O-rings in the middle, there is a thread locking the bottom O-ring. ( if sometimes, you forgot locking the crown in the water, generally speaking, it will not enter the water)
There is too much knowledge of crown structure, I only know this, so share it with you briefly.
The Production Process of Crown
- Buy tooth shaped metal material,
- Use the automatic lathe, and cut off the material.
- Then use large grinding to do overall grinding (this is processing for the low-end crown after the grinding is completed, the thread is rough).
Swiss crowns generally machine screw teeth/thread by CNC, also by single-grain grinding.
PS: Mentioned the prices, the low-quality crown can sell for just 0.05 dollars, and the high crowns will be for 0.5 dollars
The Logo Process/ Type On the Crown:
- oil pressure three-dimensional Logo,
- finely engraved logo,
- etched logo;
The oil pressure logo is divided into a single-piece and two-piece set (corresponding to the above single-piece and two-piece crown).
A single-piece crown is pressed many times, which requires higher abrasives and equipment.
A Two-piece set crown is a stamping outside one, using the upper and lower die, compared to the single-piece simple some.
Engraving logo and etched logo, make crown first, then add the logo.
Conclusão
The watch crown is an essential component of the wristwatch. It allows users to wind and set the time on the watch, as well as adjust other functions such as the date and chronograph. There are several types of watch crowns, each with unique features and benefits. Whether you are a watch enthusiast or simply appreciate the elegance of a well-crafted timepiece, the watch crown is an integral part of watchmaking history and design.
