I have a drop-tail second hand that’s in rough condition, missing the post and some of its paint too. Obviously most hands in this condition would just get tossed, but I imagine this is worth a bit of effort.





Obviously it can be cleaned/painted/lumed as wished, but that would all be pointless if it can’t be fitted to a movement. So can I ask if anyone here has experience of adding a sleeve/post to a hand that’s missing the original one. Is it possible ?

 

Al Archer is the guy for you - he is experienced to install a new tube.

 

Thanks... it’s good to hear it’s possible.

I’m in Europe and my local customs guys are a pain in the backside for anything, however small, coming in from outside the EU. So any other recommendations for EU guys ?

 

I am not sure there is much to be gained. If you repaint and relume and repair, can't you just get a service hand relumed and have a better result.

 

Well, original vintage is not the same as modern service hand, but given the effort and likely cost, it may not be worth it.

 

Put it in a drawer for a couple of decades until they reach near unobtainium levels ... then it'll be worth fixing. Maybe. Prolly not.

 

Yes, certainly can be done.

 

Except for the Tritium is there any difference between an original drop tail second hand and the service item?

 

Yes, there is. The most notable is that the tip is longer, it reaches into the hash marks.

 

And the tip is bent downward

 

Well, that can happen after 45 years ... so I'm told.

 

Ha ha yes. I don't think this is factory, and I have seen long tipped service second hands that reach to the edge of the dial. It would be interesting to see them side by side, but I think there is an identical replacement available.

 

I'd be very interested to see a log tip identical replacement! the flat bottom chrono second hand has a longer tip too and reaches into the hash marks, but obviously, it's incorrect. I've never seen a modern replacement that is identical to the original... but then, I haven't seen everything.

do you have a picture of one to share?

 

This sort of thing...

 

I'd be willing to bet that when mounted, that one is not the same as vintage . It will be noticeably shorter .