Seconds hand mandatory?

Posts
215
Likes
450
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
14,608
Likes
42,317
You’d be aok. It will make no difference to the running of the watch if you leave it off.
 
Posts
215
Likes
450
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
4,008
Likes
8,990
They are easy to attach. Local watchmaker would only charge a small amount if anything.
 
Posts
3,427
Likes
8,619
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
1,997
Likes
1,227
Hand hole could be a touch loose. You can leave it off or maybe a watch maker can tighten the hand and reinstall
 
Posts
215
Likes
450
DON 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
131
Likes
229
The automatic 836 is an ETA ébauche, a solid runner with quickset date. This watch dates to the mid 70’s.
 
Posts
16,763
Likes
35,142
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
1,997
Likes
1,227
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