When You Tighten a Screw-Down Crown, Do You Turn Crown Counterclockwise?

I inquired about the safest way to tighten a screw-down crown and Steve Laughlin of Benarus was kind enough to respond: "All of our crowns and tubes are the same, are you turning it counter clockwise first as you push it in, so that it catches the threads properly? Then you will here a quiet click and you know the threads are lined up."

I don't hear a quiet click when I do this with any of my screw-down crowns. Steve responded that the counterclockwise motions aligns the threads and that the feel is subtle. 

I just don't get it. I feel like a troglodyte. 

Update:

I just read my Seiko Kinetic instructions and there is no mention of the counterclockwise turn for tightening it. And the same for another Seiko screw-down crown. 

Related articles

Time to Start a New Manly Watch Photo Bank

First Look: Seiko Kinetic Diver SUN023

Comments

[Gary]

I've read elsewhere that you should turn the crown counterclockwise for the threads to catch before turning it clockwise to tighten it. This a applies to machine screws in general, not just screw-down crowns. It's to keep from cross threading and damaging the threads.

[herculodge]

I don't think I know how to do it? So I'm pushing while turning counterclockwise and then I eventually turn clockwise to tighten. Is that it? Perhaps I need a video demonstration.

[jonnybardo]

I dabbled with my Black Monster and while you can catch the threads by pushing in and then going clockwise to tighten, it works better if you push in slightly, go just a bit counter-clockwise to get a slight click sound, and then clockwise to tighten. I'm thinking that even when doing the former there must be a slight turn counter-clockwise, because otherwise it is hard to catch the threads. Maybe just pushing in eventually ruins the threads.

[herculodge]

Mike at Watch City affirmed everything Gary said. He does the counterclockwise rotation before tightening any watch.

[Gary]

I only have one watch with a screw-down crown: a Citizen BN0100-00E diver. It has a spring holding the crown out when it's unscrewed. I just tested it. I unscrewed it, then while pushing in gently while rotating the crown counterclockwise I eventually feel a little click, then I tighten the crown clockwise. The trick is to keep gentle pressure on the crown both while rotating counterclockwise and while initially tightening clockwise, in order to take out the gap created by the spring until the threads mesh. I hope this makes sense.

[Angelo]

yes----if you think about it, almost any screw you turn in should be turned the opposite way first, even if just barely----to catch the threads. Then you can screw in smoothly. I honestly don't know if I remember to do that with my watches with screw down crowns----but from now on, I will. I totally get how this prevents cross threading, which will strip the threads.

[Gary]

Jeff,

Did this discussion resolve your problem with screw-down crowns?

[herculodge]

Gary, I have been getting used to the process and feel more confident about it now. Thanks. Jeff