I only have two original Omegas. I included this fairly grungy pic of my Seamaster for reference. I would like your opinion of possibly having a watchmaker “dust off” some small rust looking spots that have appeared on the hands of my Seamaster over the years. I would like to keep the watch all original and don’t think replacing the hands is an option. I’m just sort of wondering if cleaning the hands so rust particles don’t fall on the dial is a good idea. You have to look through a loupe to see some spots but they are there. Or should I just leave it the way it is?

 

It’s really the minute hand that bugs me. If you look at the picture towards the tip of the minute hand you can see a rust spot that under a loupe looks “fluffy”. I’m just thinking that cleaning it will prevent rust from falling on the dial.

 

What reference Seamaster is this?

FWIW, the hands are most likely plated base metal, not steel. That means that when the plating goes (due to moisture, etc) the metal underneath will rust. You could probably get your watchmaker to remove the hands and gently remove the rust (at least some of it), but the hands could be pretty fragile if the rust is severe.

 

Thank you! I can see under a loupe that they are plated. The spot I worry about being fragile is the tip of the minute hand. I have a good watchmaker and may send it to him.

 

Very pretty watch. The hands on my Rolex OPD were similar when I got it. The hour and minute hands cleaned up beautifully with no loss of lume. The second hand looked like yours and that I had to source a NOS one- but it made all the difference.
Before:

After

 

Wow!! That is a stunning difference! I may see if I can source a new minute hand. Beautiful Rolex! Thanks for the pics.

 

I’m sure if you post a WTB for the second hand someone will chime in. Or if you go to a watchmaker with an Omega parts account and a delicate touch they could clean them up and get you a new factory second hand- provided they haven’t changed it. I’m sure one of our resident watchmakers can chime in on the current design of the second hand for that reference and if it’s the same-
Calling @Archer

 

@Tigeranteater - what reference is your Seamaster?

 

I was thinking about doing the exact same thing with my (possibly identical) Seamaster hands. If you decide to refurbish I'm definitely interested in what you did/who you went to .

 

I will check when I get home but off the top 2846 circa 1958.

 

I think our hands are the same. I will let you know what I find out.

 

If you go to a talented watchmaker / jeweler they can spot-plate the hands with (what I think is)rhodium. I had it done to an hour hand where it was polished and the brass showed through. The lume wasn’t touched in the process.

 

Awesome, thanks.

 

I had hands re-plated but they were in a lot worse shape than yours to start with. In retrospect, I would have had a couple more coats done. Not the greatest, but they look a lot better. Replateit may be able to re-plate with Rhodium depending on the hands. Not sure if it is the best option for you, but thought I'd share.

 

That looks great and made a world of difference.

 

You can polish and re-plate hands, but it a very delicate job and needs to be done with much care.

The hour and minute hand were gold and they were then nickel plated. Just to give you an idea.