Here is my question. Is it an improvement, perhaps even acceptable, to replace short Seamaster hour/minute hands on a Speedmaster 2998-3 thru 105.002 with the earlier 2998 hands found on the 2998-1 and -2?

The correct hands have the triangular shaped lume vs the, somewhat incorrect, straight line lume. The length, I believe, is virtually identical. The straight line lume hands seem to be much easier to source.

Opinions???

 

I meant both examples of the 2998 hands are the same length

 

Yes. It'll be an improvement. The shorter SM hands would likely be a substitute (ideally) to be corrected ... when possible

 

I cannot ascertain the times when triangle lume vs straight line lume was fitted to 2998's. I see them on every reference and I do not know if triangle should be on some reference and not on others or were the two executions fitted concurrently. As it is so easy to change hands, there are not enough "untouched" watches to give me data.

I personally value the triangle lume hands more. I accept each lume shape on all 2998's as potentially original.

More on 2998 hands here:
http://www.speedmaster101.com/2998-alpha-hand-length/

 

A much better option than the short Seamaster ones

 

I'm glad you all feel this is a worthwhile improvement. I'm even more pleased that, perhaps, the earlier alpha hands are considered correct across the 2998 spectrum. As always, thanks for the help.

 

The longer hands look better in any case.