168.004 Hand Length

[johnk22]

I am checking out this black dial constellation 168.004. The dial looks clean but I know this can be concerning with a black dial. The fonts look good to me but I am no expert and I do not have a straight on picture. Please let me know if you notice anything. The seller states it is 100% original.

I noticed the minute and second hands do not extend to the edge of the dial where the minute markers are. They seem to go to the length of pie pan version. Could this have come with these hands?

 

[Peemacgee]

To answer your main question:
no, the minute / seconds hands would have originally been long enough to reach the minute haches.

The indices are 'lume-filled', so the hands should be lumed also and so the T SWISS T is correct but it is impossible to tell the veracity of the black dial with such shiny, oblique pics I'm afraid.

However the case is very heavily polished, especially the bezel.

 

[johnk22]

I appreciate it! I need to get better at recognizing over polished cases. Here’s a couple more pictures.
Obviously, the observatory medallion is missing some stars. What should I be looking for as a tell for the bezel and lugs other than the lack of sharp edges and general rounded caused by polishing?

 

[SOG53]

The bezel should have a discernible edge and not be completely rounded. Here is an earlier gold cap reference you can see the edges of the bezel when viewed at an angle

 

[SOG53]

With red lines.

 

[SOG53]

And I just learned how to make arrow

 

[johnk22]

Thank you! That is very helpful. I need to make sure I’m taking a look and a nice example of the same reference to compare to.

 

[Peemacgee]

.004 (and .010) bezels are a bit different - which sets them apart from earlier references.
On top of which there are two slightly different.004 bezels ( different case makers)

Here is a steel .004 to compare your bezel to.

 

[johnk22]

Peemacgee

.004 (and .010) bezels are a bit different - which sets the apart from earlier references.
On top of which there are two slightly different.004 bezels ( different case makers)

Here is a steel .004 to compare your bezel to.

Thank you. I can clearly see the one I posted is lacking the nice sharp edge on the bezel.

 

[SOG53]

Also when you see Caseback so enthusiastically polished it is unlikely that they stopped there.