Seconds hand mandatory?

Posts

214

Likes

449

ACC1965

·Aug 20, 2024

I inherited my grandfather’s watches. One of which is a Hamilton (gold plated). I do not have any gold colored watches and while it has some sentimental value, I never actually saw my grandfather wear this watch.

The seconds hand fell off but the watch runs and keeps (decent) time.

Is reattaching the second hand necessary for stability /maintenance of the movement ? Or can I remove the second hand from the case (I would the hand for the future if I want to add it again) and wear the watch without concern?

Thank you for your help!

 

Posts

14,565

Likes

42,115

Canuck

·Aug 20, 2024

You’d be aok. It will make no difference to the running of the watch if you leave it off.

 

Posts

214

Likes

449

ACC1965

·Aug 20, 2024

Any idea what you would expect to pay for a watchmaker to simply reattach it?

Alternatively I could try reattaching myself (with some more reading, youtube, and new tools I'm assuming).

 

Posts

3,989

Likes

8,906

redpcar

·Aug 20, 2024

They are easy to attach. Local watchmaker would only charge a small amount if anything.

 

Posts

3,416

Likes

8,583

MRC

·Aug 20, 2024

It's a nice looking watch, probably from the 1960s - early 1970s. Why not get it properly serviced, which it will need after its years of service, during which the watchmaker can re-attach the second hand. Then you can wear it without fear. And it's not something anyone would see every day, or year, decade....

I see the dial says "Swiss", I wonder if there's Buren micro-rotor movement inside there?

 

Posts

214

Likes

449

ACC1965

·Aug 20, 2024

Not the best photos; my apologies.

 

Posts

1,996

Likes

1,226

DON

·Aug 20, 2024

Hand hole could be a touch loose. You can leave it off or maybe a watch maker can tighten the hand and reinstall

 

Posts

214

Likes

449

ACC1965

·Aug 21, 2024

DON

Hand hole could be a touch loose. You can leave it off or maybe a watch maker can tighten the hand and reinstall

isn’t that what super glue is for?
Just kidding

 

Posts

128

Likes

229

Fulton8or

·Aug 21, 2024

The automatic 836 is an ETA ébauche, a solid runner with quickset date. This watch dates to the mid 70’s.

 

Posts

226

Likes

180

drose224

·Aug 21, 2024

Have it fixed and wear it. Nice Hamilton.

 

Posts

16,729

Likes

35,079

JimInOz

·Aug 21, 2024·Melbourne Australia

ACC1965

isn’t that what super glue is for?
Just kidding

Did you learn that trick from some of the people I've bought watches from on eBay?

🤬

 

Posts

1,996

Likes

1,226

DON

·Aug 22, 2024

ACC1965

isn’t that what super glue is for?
Just kidding

sure why not. In the old days we just used a piece of double bubble gum