Storing and shipping vintage watch hands?

140dave · Mar 4, 2025

Hi OF,

Anyone have good suggestions on safely storing and shipping watch hands? The Omega packaging they come in originally are ideal of course, but I have no idea where to source empty ones or what good alternatives may exist.

I've seen these:

but they look like the hands are just loose and will flop around when you move the box. Old delicate lume is my concern with these types.

Any suggestions, or does anyone know how to get 3-4 of the empty packages Omega uses for hands?

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

Dan S · Mar 4, 2025

People often cut two slits in a small piece of paper for each hand, and weave it through. That's probably not very clear.

Edit: Like this.

Archer · Mar 4, 2025

For storage, you can use the system shown on the left here:

A simple folded piece of paper does the trick to separate the hands. Not ideal for shipping though.

rendo · Mar 4, 2025

I would use the 3d printed box you posted only for storage. I have used the method Dan described above (random eBay photo):

Ron_W · Mar 4, 2025

They are sold on ebay

www.ebay.com/itm/334561540771

Ron_W · Mar 4, 2025

I prefer mebrane boxes as they fix the hands in mebrane cushion.

Archer · Mar 4, 2025

Ron_W
I prefer mebrane boxes as they fix the hands in mebrane cushion.

I would be cautious if you use these for longer term storage. They can lift paint and finishes...

https://omegaforums.net/threads/membrane-boxes-for-dial-storage-a-warning-post-group-buy-info-for-the-solution-in-this-thread.12213/

Thread 'Membrane Boxes for Dial Storage-- A Warning Post! (GROUP BUY info for the solution in this thread)' ·

Like many of you, I have accumulated an impressive collection of NOS and very clean, original watch dials. These had been stashed in a drawer in a very haphazard array of plastic containers...

woodwkr2 · Apr 13, 2014

rendo · Mar 4, 2025

I have also found that not all membrane boxes keep very small items like watch hands stable during transit. In other words, there is enough room between the two pieces of the membrane for the hands to constantly slide and hit the sides of the plastic box.

southtexas · Mar 4, 2025

I place hands individually into tiny plastic baggies (small enough for a penny to be snug), then place the hands into a shallow tin where they won't push against each other, or on the contrary slide around and possibly damage each other. That being said, I've received them in all manner or packaging (including them being "free floating" in a dial container with the dial). They're actually more durable than they appear, but it always makes me nervous.

One thing I won't put them in is one of those clear containers with a plastic liner on container and another on underside of lid that compresses them in place. I've received them like that, and have found the lume will invariably adhere itself to the plastic liner (edit: the one above with the membrane is the one I was suggesting to stay away from. Just my .02, your results may vary).

Ron_W · Mar 4, 2025

Archer
I would be cautious if you use these for longer term storage. They can lift paint and finishes...

https://omegaforums.net/threads/membrane-boxes-for-dial-storage-a-warning-post-group-buy-info-for-the-solution-in-this-thread.12213/

Thread 'Membrane Boxes for Dial Storage-- A Warning Post! (GROUP BUY info for the solution in this thread)' ·
Like many of you, I have accumulated an impressive collection of NOS and very clean, original watch dials. These had been stashed in a drawer in a very haphazard array of plastic containers...

woodwkr2 · Apr 13, 2014

Good tip !! and i agree if it sticks against the membrane for a longer time that can happen.

140dave · Mar 4, 2025

Dan S
People often cut two slits in a small piece of paper for each hand, and weave it through. That's probably not very clear.

Edit: Like this.

Ive seen these of course. So for my second somewhat stupid question; are the slits cut with a razor blade? Not sure how to make that small of a cut and then thread them through .... dexterity challenge!

I am wary of bending and over handling hands, but like @southtexas mentions they are probably more durable then I give them credit for.
Thanks everyone!

Archer · Mar 4, 2025

140dave
Ive seen these of course. So for my second somewhat stupid question; are the slits cut with a razor blade? Not sure how to make that small of a cut and then thread them through .... dexterity challenge!

I am wary of bending and over handling hands, but like @southtexas mentions they are probably more durable then I give them credit for.
Thanks everyone!

The only time Omega hands come in those nifty plastic containers, is when you order a full set for a particular model. Individual hands or multiples of one hand are pushed into little slots in paper:

Hands from other suppliers are done like this also:

That is usually wrapped in tissue paper, and then placed between two pieces of cardboard:

This is not a bad way for shipping hands - it's the way I get the majority of the hands in that I order. For storage, if the hands are already in these, leaving them there presents very little risk. But as you note, putting them in these slots and removing them again presents some risk of bending, and on a fragile vintage hand, the chance of lume loss.

For this reason I wouldn't generally recommend these for storage of vintage hands that have been removed from a movement - you have to be very careful not to bend some of the more flexible hands. Hands are generally made of soft brass, so can be bent out of shape pretty easily (of course there are other materials, but brass is very common for painted hands).

JimInOz · Mar 4, 2025

140dave
I've seen these:

Hey! We've just made something like them in 3D print.

https://omegaforums.net/posts/2459880/

JimInOz · Mar 2, 2025

rendo
Thanks for sharing. Is the stl for the watch hands box available on the internet?

Not yet as it's only an insert to go in a coin display box, I might re-design it.
However, if you want to try it out I can drop the stl here for you.

I'd been using Archer's method for hand storage while servicing, as well as making silicone inserts style.

But I wanted something that looked a bit more professional so I got my Son to print some 3D samples for testing the idea.
I definitely wouldn't use them for shipping though.

If I had to ship hands, I'd wrap them individually in watch paper and use a hard plastic case to protect them in transit.

I'd also avoid membrane boxes, have heard horror stories of dials being ruined by sticking to the membrane.

JimInOz · Mar 4, 2025

@rendo also wanted some so he tweaked my design a bit and will be 3D printing his own holders.
If any other 3D printers are intested I can shoot them the stl file for printing their own.

Note that they're only intended for storage (short and long term) as long as they are being handled like eggs.

rendo · Mar 5, 2025

Once I get my coin boxes, I will test the insert that @JimInOz shared with me and report back. I can also print free inserts for any established OF members in the U.S.

rendo · Mar 11, 2025

The insert fits nicely after some minor adjustments. I can mail a set of two (including the coin cases) for free to the first five members in the U.S. who pms me their address.

140dave · Mar 21, 2025

These are pretty cool and really handy (haha) to have! Thanks @rendo !!!

rendo · Mar 21, 2025

140dave
These are pretty cool and really handy (haha) to have! Thanks @rendo !!!

Thanks to @JimInOz for sharing the idea and the 3d file.

kaplan · Mar 22, 2025

For storage I think loose it best, very often when I removed NOS hands from those original paper packages there was pitting just under the paper - if you think about it, it'd affect the natural patination of the surface too

I would never use 3D printed material for long term storage as the plastics aren't pure and they can ooze chemicals, safest plastic as I researched was PP and even that can ooze chemicals long run if it's from a cheap factory, you never know what kind of materials they put in 3D filaments to make them easier to print

Also when you drop a container if a tip can get stuck in between the top, it bends the hands, sadly happened once and I still mourn the loss of one NOS set

For shipping I re-use the membrane locking boxes that I received beforehand, they are sometimes expensive new if you don't buy bulk, but since the items are suspended by membrane from both sides, no chance of any issue - I wouldn't use them for long term storage as they are usually not PP

Best ingenious solution I've seen was putting hands inside a ziplock that they hopefully pre-stapled to create individual pockets for hands and then putting this ziplock in a larger plastic box with a soft spacer to prevent movement - for shipping

But LTS - so far I keep them loose inside a coin box with their surfaces facing upwards

Storing and shipping vintage watch hands?

140dave

Dan S

Archer

rendo

Ron_W

Ron_W

Archer

rendo

southtexas

Ron_W

140dave

Archer

JimInOz

JimInOz

rendo

rendo

140dave

rendo

kaplan

Similar threads

Rubber part inside watch hands got loose

Suggestions on how to stabilize lume and clean watch hands

watch hands for omega cal 552 interchangeble with cal 360?

Advice on Shipping to STS (Duties and Fees)

Best packing and shipping practices?

Fed Ex, USPS, and shipping