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Rubber part inside watch hands got loose

K
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Hello experts!

I recently had my grandfather's old Seamaster serviced at Omega AD, reference 168.023.

They unfortunately changed the hands.
I have requested them to change them back to the original, and in the meanwhile I've successfully relumed the flaking lume hands.

But i found this rubber bit, which seems to have come out of the hour hand hole.

Is this a necessary part of the watch? Chat-gpt is exacerbating my fears, and saying this rubber bit might be a necessity to stop friction during movement of hands, or even for stopping the hands to slip by mistake.

Given this information, should I now get the hands replaced back, or is this now risky?

Thank you for your expertise! 🙂

PXL_20250122_182643123.webp PXL_20250122_182812776.webp PXL_20250122_182702003.webp
 
Canuck
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That is not part of either the watch or the hand. Discard that “bit” and put the hands back on.
 
K
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Canuck Canuck
That is not part of either the watch or the hand. Discard that “bit” and put the hands back on.
It was a ring, that's now torn after I was trying to put it "back". What do you think it is, if not part of the hands?
 
JimInOz
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K knng
It was a ring, that's now torn after I was trying to put it "back". What do you think it is, if not part of the hands?
It's part of a previous bodge job where whoever did it couldn't use the correct tool to shrink the pipe so they glued the hand to the hour wheel with bathroom sealer.
 
JimInOz
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I would also leave the hands alone, the ones fitted by Omega will be covered by warranty. Once you remove them that warranty is dead.
The originals are worn beyond limits, re-using them would be a waste of time.
 
K
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JimInOz JimInOz
I would also leave the hands alone, the ones fitted by Omega will be covered by warranty. Once you remove them that warranty is dead.
The originals are worn beyond limits, re-using them would be a waste of time.
Omega themselves offered to place them back. Do you think they're in too bad a shape to be put back? I thought it was better to preserve vintage parts (dial, hands, polish)

PXL_20250122_182812776~2.webp
 
JimInOz
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An official Omega service centre would not offer to replace them as they would not be able to provide a warranty on the work.
The hands on the watch are identical so there is no benefit in replacing them with the old ones.

If it was a rare vintage watch and equivalent replacement hands were not available anywhere, I would try to restore the originals, but this is not one of those watches, nice though it is.
 
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JimInOz JimInOz
An official Omega service centre would not offer to replace them as they would not be able to provide a warranty on the work.
The hands on the watch are identical so there is no benefit in replacing them with the old ones.

If it was a rare vintage watch and equivalent replacement hands were not available anywhere, I would try to restore the originals, but this is not one of those watches, nice though it is.
I appreciate the advice, bud! 😀 It is an official sevice centre. They offered to replace it back, after I sent these images to them and Omega HQ

After (New Hands).webp Before (Original Hands).webp
 
JimInOz
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My apologies. The hands in the original photo appeared identical to the old ones.

I would not change the new ones but it's your call.
 
K
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JimInOz JimInOz
It's part of a previous bodge job where whoever did it couldn't use the correct tool to shrink the pipe so they glued the hand to the hour wheel with bathroom sealer.
Sorry for the back and forth, but don't you think this means that the hands are not fit to be applied back. That would be a shame
 
JimInOz
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K knng
Sorry for the back and forth, but don't you think this means that the hands are not fit to be applied back. That would be a shame

JimInOz JimInOz
I would also leave the hands alone, the ones fitted by Omega will be covered by warranty. Once you remove them that warranty is dead.
The originals are worn beyond limits, re-using them would be a waste of time.
 
fiberguy
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Omega replaced the hands because the old ones were FUBAR, the watch has been serviced I would leave it be.
 
Dan S
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Sorry for the back and forth, but don't you think this means that the hands are not fit to be applied back. That would be a shame
Nobody can answer your questions about the specific worn parts from your watch based on photos over the internet. If you want the watchmaker to attempt to re-install the old hands, send it all back and ask them to try.

If it is literally THE Omega Service Center in your country (owned by Swatch), I doubt they will do it. However, if it is an independent AD or watch repair business that calls themself AN Official Omega Service Center, then they might try.
 
K
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I really appreciate all your inputs, guys! Thanks for the guidance. As you can tell I am a bit too close to this specific piece, being by late grandfather's watch. Though i would've liked for it to be as original as possible - perhaps leaving it be, is wiser.

I'm also surprised that many doubt why the SC is doing this swap. I'm not too sure, but they are definitely the official Swatch Omega service centre in my country, not just an AD.
 
Dan S
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I really appreciate all your inputs, guys! Thanks for the guidance. As you can tell I am a bit too close to this specific piece, being by late grandfather's watch. Though i would've liked for it to be as original as possible - perhaps leaving it be, is wiser.

I'm also surprised that many doubt why the SC is doing this swap. I'm not too sure, but they are definitely the official Swatch Omega service centre in my country, not just an AD.
Send them back and see. I would go to extremes to restore the originality if it were my heirloom watch. Of course, I would NEVER have sent it to the official service center to begin with.
 
paddymoran
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It is your watch and has sentimental value having been your grandfather’s watch. If you don’t intend to sell I’d suggest you follow through with your decision and have the old hands reinstated. I’m sure you will feel a greater connection to the old watch. The old hands may look a bit tired but what harm - it’s your watch 😊
 
K
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paddymoran paddymoran
It is your watch and has sentimental value having been your grandfather’s watch. If you don’t intend to sell I’d suggest you follow through with your decision and have the old hands reinstated. I’m sure you will feel a greater connection to the old watch. The old hands may look a bit tired but what harm - it’s your watch 😊
I would feel the same way, bud. I don't care too much about the looks - only the safety of the watch.

Any suggestion on what this rubber bit falling out from the hour hand means?

I just would'nt want there to be an issue with the watch after re-installing the old hands. Otherwise I'd go back with the original.
JimInOz JimInOz
It's part of a previous bodge job where whoever did it couldn't use the correct tool to shrink the pipe so they glued the hand to the hour wheel with bathroom sealer.
 
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