I would say they are on the crystal. Even if it is, it's not a big deal. I suspect it's just had a dab of paint placed on it since the original paint has come off. I just disassembled a Speedmaster Date that had the central seconds hand glued on...will be replacing all the hands on this one as it was a mess - parts were missing inside it also...no wonder it didn't work right after the last "service" by a local guy...