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Crown Guard

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(kroun gahrd)

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A Crown Guard is a protective feature on a watch case designed to shield the crown from accidental damage or impact.

What does

Crown Guard

mean?

A crown guard is a protective feature on a watch designed to shield the crown from impacts and potential damage. It is an extension of the watch case that surrounds the crown, ensuring it remains secure and less prone to accidental knocks. This feature is particularly important for dive watches and other tool watches, where durability and reliability are crucial. The crown guard helps maintain the integrity of the watch's water resistance and overall functionality by preventing the crown from being inadvertently pulled out or damaged. Introduced by brands like Rolex in models such as the Submariner and GMT-Master, crown guards have become a standard design element in many professional and sports watches, enhancing both their aesthetic appeal and practical utility.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crown guard?

A crown guard is a protective feature extending from the watch case that shields the winding crown from impacts and damage. First introduced by Rolex on the Submariner in the 1950s, it prevents the crown from being knocked, pulled out accidentally, or damaged, which could compromise water resistance.

Do crown guards affect winding?

Crown guards can make winding slightly more difficult to access, especially with larger fingers, but this trade-off protects the crown and water resistance. Some designs feature cutouts or curved guards to improve accessibility while maintaining protection. The functional benefit outweighs minor ergonomic considerations for tool watches.

Which watches have crown guards?

Crown guards are standard on professional dive watches and tool watches, including Rolex Submariner and GMT-Master, Tudor Black Bay, Omega Seamaster, and most modern dive watches. They're essential for watches rated above 200m water resistance where crown integrity is critical for maintaining pressure seals.

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