Rusted hands

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Mkewatch

·Mar 25, 2025

Hi,
I took a picture of this watch yesterday and noticed some rust on the hour and minute hands.

What do you recommend in this case:
1. Replace hands
2. Clean current hands if possible
3. Leave it as it is

Thank you

Jorge

 

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sheepdoll

·Mar 25, 2025

I have worse.

These are fairly common, so replacment is probably an option.

Restoration can be time consuming, and material will be lost.

 

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Davidt

·Mar 25, 2025

Also a lot of these hands are stainless steel but plated so polishing them can wear through the surface and expose the base metal

Edit: I meant “not stainless steel”

Edited: Mar 25, 2025

 

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rendo

·Mar 25, 2025

Davidt

Also a lot of these hands are stainless steel but plated so polishing them can wear through the surface and expose the base metal

Did you mean they are "not" stainless steel?

I had a set of hands in similar condition and I had them replated in white gold. It definitely improved the look but it's not perfect.

 

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Davidt

·Mar 25, 2025

rendo

Did you mean they are "not" stainless steel?

I had a set of hands in similar condition and I had them replated in white gold. It definitely improved the look but it's not perfect.

You’re right! I meant they’re not stainless steel.

 

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rendo

·Mar 25, 2025

Here’s a before and after of white gold plating of the hands:

 

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nkhandekar

·Mar 25, 2025

I had some spare hands that had corrosion on them. I polished them with fine diamond suspension (1 micron I think) on a rotating disc flat lap and came up with a great surface on the metal. The black paint in the centre of the hand was lost, but was easy to replace. If the part is rough, its worth a shot.

 

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SOG53

·Mar 25, 2025

I vote curtain #3
Many if not most vintage watches will show some oxidation on the hands- but usually I cannot see it on the wrist. Maybe its my aging eyes. And youre not running around with a loupe I hope.