hi ian

stems are a real problem for the monaco.

the stem is unlike other heuers in that it's a 2 part stem.

this is because you can not get to the movement to release the stem, due to the bonkers case design, so you have to be able to pull it apart to release the movement from the case. as you may imagine the part wears and replacements are difficult to find.

anyone buying a monaco should be aware that a loose crown usually indicates that this is going to be a problem.

for the record, other monaco problems are: sticking spring clips that hold the case halves together; damage to the case by incorrect opening (graunches and lever marks between the case halves and bends in the case top half over the crown and pushers); dial damage where the seal melts onto the dial with age; damage to the somewhat exposed pushers and pusher tubes; cracked plexis usually at the exposed corners and all the usual cal 11/12 problems of course. i'm sure i've forgoten something in the list. fortunately it's not all bad news because heuer sold bucket loads of them so with patience most problems can be solved.

good luck with the restoration

bruce