Emulating a simple remote

Can the flipper record and emulate a simple remote? Like an up/down command for a winch that operates off of RF crystals?

No.

The Flipper Zero is an educational device, that is able to send various signals via various antenna and some over light or even metal pins.
Some communication ways can be parsed, others just raw.

But it cannot guarantee to work on some kind of unknown garage door, window blind, lamp, fan, … without knowing the protocol, frequency or anything except 2 buttons up/down.
It is not advertised as an universal remote for everything.

But it is also an open source platform. You can analyze and implement your specific system, if it is within the supported (and not in your country blocked) frequency. Good luck.