An onion crown is a winding crown with a round, swollen shape that recalls an onion. It is usually large and grooved, so it can be turned with gloves on. That makes it easier for pilots and divers to use, and it is closely linked with early pilot watches.
Why is an onion crown so large?
An onion crown tends to be big, and it carries engraved grooves. Its size, swollen form and grooves make it easier to hold and use. This matters when the hands are covered. A pilot or a diver in gloves can still grip the crown and turn it. The name, by contrast, simply describes how the crown looks, since its shape recalls an onion. The same bulk has a drawback, though. Some wearers find an onion crown uncomfortable against the wrist.
Where are onion crowns found?
The onion crown is usually associated with early pilot watches. It often appears on pilot’s watches and on other watches built for tough use. Wristwatches made for German military pilots used it too. It is also a favourite on watches with a vintage or retro look. It sits alongside the push-in crown and the screw-down crown as one of the common crown types.
How does it differ from a diamond crown?
Wristwatches made for German military pilots used onion-shaped crowns. They also used diamond-shaped crowns, which are a separate style. The onion crown is round and swollen, like an onion. The diamond crown, as its name says, has a diamond shape. The onion crown also differs from the push-in crown and the screw-down crown. These are the other common crown types named alongside it.
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