What’s wrong here

Rolex crowns do not align and have never intentionally aligned. So many threads out there on this. This is their version of the misaligned screws of Hublot, their heels are firmly dug into “this is a tool watch, therefore the crown does not need to align.”

From accounts, one can request to have it aligned when they have it serviced.

Rolex doesn't attempt to align crowns. Also, I've never been concerned with it so long as it serves its main purposes. I've never once had my watch on and checked or compared crown alignment.

Thanks for the info!

It’s a common thing many of us fall for when we start to look at them, especially when buying our first. We’re used it be aligned on most brands, it’s just a quirk of theirs. They could clearly align it, but like I said, heels dug in.

Did you end up buying anything?

The crown is aligned on my Pelagos 39, but that’s not intentional. Luck of the draw.

https://millenarywatches.com/rolex-crown-alignment/

I've heard all full PM pieces have aligned crowns. ^ article says on PM sky dwellers

I see no problem here

I must of got unlucky with my Tudor Pelagos 42 the crown not aligned not the end of the world haha

The rose on my BB58 crown does not align. I think you were just "lucky".

I'm not a Rolex apologist just commenting on the technical reality. As soon as the crown and stem gaskets get compressed some over time and use I don't believe any intentionally aligned crown will stay perfectly aligned anyway.

Yeah, Tudor now METAS too! 😀

Nice watch.

Far as crown alignment goes, personally, could care less, don't even look at it except when winding.

Not luxury pieces by any stretch, but I do not think any watch I have is perfectly aligned.

If it does, I'm usually, like, "Hmph, neat." And then promptly forget about it, YMMV.

The B on my Breitling crown is aligned… ish… upside down (!)

Crown at 3 o’clock on my left arm, I guess the only time I’ll be checking out the Rolex crown position whilst wearing a Rolex is whilst I’m picking my nose?

Crown on my sm300 lines up ok, but tbh couldn't care less if crowns are signed or not, really don't see what all the fuss is about 🤔

To be honest: I never got the peoples’ desire in having all screws and the crown of a watch to be perfectly aligned. These do serve technical functions and as the tools for making the threads start and stop in random positions, it just seems logical for the screws and the crown to remain in random positions as well. If everything is perfectly aligned I immediately get the feeling that those parts are just for decorative purposes (and people seem to hate these even more: e.g. faux rivets on the black bay bracelets). But that’s just me. 🤷‍♂️

I have to disagree with many of you on this. Sure it's classified as a tool watch, ok. It's also considered the epitome of the tool watch. Therefore I higher standard should adhered to. Heck my sub $200 Aragon has an aligned crown!

At the price you pay, why would you have to settle for less than their best effort.

You as the customer, collector, no connoisseur of Rolex deserve nothing less.

Comment if you believe otherwise 👍🏾

The crown on my Tudor Ranger is always facing the right way when screwed down. Lol.

As far as I am aware no crowns alligator it all matters where you start to screw it in, you can get any crown to alliance if your anal about it but none do so automatically all the time

I’ve never even considered whether the crown aligned. What kind of watch enthusiast am I? 🤦🏻‍♂️😏😉

I bought the pelagos early October, and end of October got the call to pick up palm dial datejust! Had I known the datejust was coming so soon I would not have purchased the pelagos as much as I love it

Why? Aligning screws makes sense only if exactly the same amount of torque is applied each and every time, no? With a regular thumb screw this is not the case so it simply cannot be aligned exactly, just approximately. I think something that is almost or approximately aligned is worse than if it looks misaligned on purpose.

Guess I never thought about that lol, I’m a left so I tend to notice more often 😅

Here’s an Aragon Divemaster with a misaligned crown — it’s not a feature of Aragon watches. And no, a misaligned crown isn’t something I sweat on any of my watches; most watches in this bracket (not brands, *watches*) don’t feature aligned crowns as standard. Not Omega, not Rolex, not Tudor, not Breitling, etc.

A sensible well adjusted one!

I stand corrected. I still feel that higher tier brands require a higher level of standard. To me (personal opinion), the small details are what makes a luxury watch. Sure COSC accuracy and fine finishing and all, but these highly skilled brands get to the crown and say "fuck it"!? Nah I don't accept it. They will only give you what you accept as "good enough".

Rolex will adjust it to align if you request it during service, but even if the crown tube was adjusted, the gasket contracts and dries over time and will theoretically turn farther than when it was adjusted, slowly over time. This will affect any watch using the same traditional system. I suspect that with some higher “tier” brands, this alignment / adjustment is done at each service when the gaskets are replaced so you don’t notice it.

Rolex has a patent to achieve a perfectly aligned crown in perpetuity, but that’s only currently being used on their precious metal Sky Dweller — they may or may not roll it out to other watches in their lineup. Either way, it’s not a big deal for the vast majority of Rolex (or Omega, or Tudor, or ‘insert brand name’) owners.

Comment if you believe otherwise 👍🏾

Okay. I believe it's a matter of taste. I just think that aligned crown doesn't make any sense - to me personally. And I just don't want to pay for it.

There's a number of things I don't understand in modern watches. Transparent casebacks are usually useless - they make watch cases thicker, and if it's not A. Lange und Sohne or Minerva level of movement, there's no reason to see it. But I understand that it's my personal taste, and I'm happy that other people can enjoy seeing watch movements, despite the fact that I had to skip some interesting models because of this feature. Also I don't understand higher levels of finishing - again, if it's Grand Seiko, or some haute horologie brands, that's fine, people like it. But I just don't want to pay for it. At the same time surprisingly I'm okay to pay for a simple satin finish, even on a $7K+ watch. I just like it, it looks good and it's pretty much utilitarian.

I can continue, but I think the idea is clear.

I like the way you think 👍🏾

As a newbie, I am still fascinated by the inner workings of the automatic/mechanical watch. I've owned my Aragon NH35 for a bit over half a year now. Still I am amazed at the inner workings. Like you said, it's all about personal preference.

I've read many post where a watch is described as having "soul". Watching the oscillating balance let's me look into said soul. The thickness of the watch is not so much of a concern for me. My lifestyle is FAR removed from the suit and tie. Only cuff I bust is in a sweatshirt in the winter 🤣.

I love this spirited banter. Picking the brains off various collectors is a hobby of mine

My sub crown aligns each time. Totally agree that Tudor are killing it just now.