u/DiogoFerreira1904

I’m working on a vintage Soviet Vostok with a 2414 movement and the winding stem snapped off inside the crown.

Unfortunately the remaining piece of stem is basically flush/recessed inside the crown, so there’s nothing I can grab with pliers or tweezers. I’ve tried very carefully using a fine needle to rotate the broken piece anticlockwise, but haven’t had any luck and I don’t want to keep going and damage the inside of the crown.

I’d really like to save this particular crown because it’s the original gold-tone crown and I haven’t been able to find a matching replacement.

Photos attached under magnification.

Has anyone successfully removed a stem broken this deep inside a crown? What method would you recommend without destroying the crown?

Thanks!

Lately I’ve been unhealthily into vintage watches, so what better place to start than on holiday in Prague.

The second I saw this late-70s mechanical Vostok 17 Jewels, I knew I had to get it. It was the first watch I asked for in the window and it was the one that left that shop with me. I know this is exactly the type of watch I wanted because it’s become my daily since coming home (and it doesn’t feel forced at all).

I originally bought it on a leather strap which is really nice and classy but ended up putting it on an olive green RAF strap. Not the “correct” pairing for a gold Soviet watch, but it’s mine so putting a gold vintage Vostok on an olive green RAF strap makes it feel more rugged, individual and actually mine.

It’s funny how fussy I was about scratches and wear when I first started collecting, but recently the way I look at watches has completely changed. The history, stories, little marks, old acrylic and general wear is now half the reason I enjoy them so much. It feels like a watch with character and actual use, and now I’m just adding to it and making it “mine”.

Lately I’ve been unhealthily into vintage watches, so what better place to start than on holiday in Prague.

The second I saw this late-70s mechanical Vostok 17 Jewels, I knew I had to get it. It was the first watch I asked for in the window and it was the one that left that shop with me. I know this is exactly the type of watch I wanted because it’s become my daily since coming home (and it doesn’t feel forced at all).

I originally bought it on a leather strap which is really nice and classy but ended up putting it on an olive green RAF strap. Not the “correct” pairing for a gold Soviet watch, but it’s mine so putting a gold vintage Vostok on an olive green RAF strap makes it feel more rugged, individual and actually mine.

It’s funny how fussy I was about scratches and wear when I first started collecting, but recently the way I look at watches has completely changed. The history, stories, little marks, old acrylic and general wear is now half the reason I enjoy them so much. It feels like a watch with character and actual use, and now I’m just adding to it and making it “mine”.