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Servicing can damage a watches hands

Awetaylor
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I've been looking to get a 70's watch serviced that has been sitting in a cardboard box in a garage for 20 years, so I contacted a local watchmaker for a quote.

He said that if the watch was running reasonably well (it's losing a couple of minutes a day), then it's best not to take it apart at the risk of damaging it in the process.

He specifically said that hands are kept on with friction, and taking them off and on widens the space where the hands are attached to the axle. This is the reason Rolex replace the hands with each service.

Does this sound right to you guys? I remember @Archer on a different thread explaining that hands were replaced at Omega because they can have a less skilled worker take out the movement with minimal risk

This exchange threw me, as I understood regular servicing to be crucial for a vintage watch.
 
S.H.
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losing couple minutes a day = running fine: find another repair guy asap.

He is not entirely wrong about hand damage while servicing, but a skilled worker minimizes the damage, by definition. And better have a tiny mark on a hand than worn pivots.
 
Awetaylor
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S.H. S.H.
losing couple minutes a day = running fine: find another repair guy asap.

He is not entirely wrong about hand damage while servicing, but a skilled worker minimizes the damage, by definition. And better have a tiny mark on a hand than worn pivots.

Okay, good to know. So it sounds to me like it is definitely in need of a service!!

Interesting to know about the hand damage, because obviously collectors on this forum view having original parts as a priority. seems to be a catch-22 when it comes to servicing a vintage watch
 
STANDY
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Some hands can be reused others may need fixing. Without seeing a watch most watchmakers may make the statement.

From your comments above I would be looking for another watchmaker.

Also pictures help us think.....
 
Awetaylor
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STANDY STANDY
Also pictures help us think.....

Your wish is my command!

It’s nothing special, a beater (and my, does the Crystal look beaten) that my grandfather would wear to work regularly, I like the style.

Thanks both of you for the advice

554155E9-D404-4DD8-BDAC-416C45616485.jpeg 1BA68F5E-6F04-45C5-89B0-EF22FACADDC7.jpeg
 
Awetaylor
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I still haven't figured out how to manually wind it, so if any of you OF members happened to live through the 70's with one of these, I'd appreciate your input.

I had to put it in a watch winder to charge it up.
 
Foo2rama
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Awetaylor Awetaylor
I still haven't figured out how to manually wind it, so if any of you OF members happened to live through the 70's with one of these, I'd appreciate your input.

I had to put it in a watch winder to charge it up.
Odds are you can’t manually wind it. Welcome to Seiko Magic lever.
 
JwRosenthal
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Find another watchmaker- it sounds like he’s just not interested in working on your watch.
I’ve had the hands off almost all my watches for service- some several times over the years (including my Omegas and Rolexes) and all still have the original hands. Yes there is a risk, but a competent watchmaker knows how to minimize it.
 
Awetaylor
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
Odds are you can’t manually wind it. Welcome to Seiko Magic lever.

Well, that was a fun bit of research for me, every day is a school day when it comes to this watch hobby of mine.

Considering this Magic lever, does this make it a more difficult movement to service?
 
S.H.
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On quite a few low end Seiko caliber, handwinding is not possible, it was traded for a quick set date. You'd have to step up to the Lord Marvel, King Seiko or Grand Seiko lines to enjoy both.
 
S.H.
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Awetaylor Awetaylor
Well, that was a fun bit of research for me, every day is a school day when it comes to this watch hobby of mine.

Considering this Magic lever, does this make it a more difficult movement to service?
Not really.
 
Foo2rama
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Awetaylor Awetaylor
Well, that was a fun bit of research for me, every day is a school day when it comes to this watch hobby of mine.

Considering this Magic lever, does this make it a more difficult movement to service?
Nope pretty standard to this day on 5’s.
 
Awetaylor
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Well thanks all for your input, I ended up getting more info about the watch than I expected

I'll be on the lookout for another watchmaker, for a well-needed service.

And I'm on the hunt for a new crystal, as this one is battered and I don't think it's plexiglass. The old polywatch won't cut it with this.
 
Wlcutter
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That's odd—I don't know any watchmakers that hesitate to remove hands because their worried about spacing. Obviously any vintage watch with painted hands runs the risk of some of the paint flaking, but the holes themselves? I'm with everyone else: different watchmaker.
 
Archer
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Watch hands are an interesting topic. I had planned to make a post about removal, fitting, and repairing hands. But since we have no where specifically to put these things anymore, not sure I'm going to spend the time doing it for it to be buried in the forum where it won't help anyone.

But hands do eventually have their holes get larger from fitting and removal. However this happens so infrequently that it's not a major concern. Most hands can be tightened if they do get loose. Paint can flake certainly, and to an extent it depends on how the hands have been handled by previous watchmakers.

Pressing on painted hands does put pressure on a small area of the hand, and sometimes this can cause the paint to flake off. Not a common thing, but it does happen. The hands on the OP's watch don't appear to be painted, and are not the type of hand IO would expect any major issues with removing and replacing.
 
Dan S
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My experience is that there are various risks that come with disassembling and re-assembling vintage watches. Hands are a good example, not only the center holes, but also delicate lume. I've also seen paint or lume dots flake from the dial, and damage occur to fragile plastic bezel inlays. I think it's important for owners to be aware that there is some risk to offset the benefits of servicing. Of course, if you finds that your watchmaker is damaging every watch he services, you might need to think twice.
 
Awetaylor
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Archer Archer
Pressing on painted hands does put pressure on a small area of the hand, and sometimes this can cause the paint to flake off. Not a common thing, but it does happen. The hands on the OP's watch don't appear to be painted, and are not the type of hand IO would expect any major issues with removing and replacing.

Good to know, the learning continues. I admit it would be amazing if there was a section of this forum dedicated to the engineering part of watchmaking, even if it is just for us collectors to admire the process.

It would be like an episode of "How it's made"

On the topic of my original post, As previous posters say, this is probably a watchmaker who was just looking for an excuse not to work on my watch.
 
ChrisN
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Awetaylor Awetaylor
Good to know, the learning continues. I admit it would be amazing if there was a section of this forum dedicated to the engineering part of watchmaking, even if it is just for us collectors to admire the process.

It would be like an episode of "How it's made"
Have a look at half the threads here as Al enjoys showing these things and is usually very clear. They do take a long time to put together, though:
https://omegaforums.net/search/14974166/

Cheers, Chris
 
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