Technical question: chrono hand 281

Posts
5,799
Likes
8,997
My watchmaker sent me the attached pics. The tube of the chrono hand has broken. Basically 2 solutions:
- sourcing a new hand but I can't find one
- replacing the tube

My question: anyone knows whether this tube is the same format on all UG chrono movements? Anyone who knows?

 
Posts
42
Likes
19
No they are not. Took me years to find one for my 481. The tube must be 2.85mm. Other calibers like the 285 is shorter. Better to make a new tube in my opinion.
 
Posts
5,799
Likes
8,997
Ok. Make one. That sounds not easy
 
Posts
42
Likes
19
Ok. Make one. That sounds not easy
No it is not indeed. A specialist watchmaker made one for me. He succeeded but it's very difficult job
 
Posts
1,172
Likes
4,187
For a skilled watchmaker, it is no problem, but it takes time and is not cheap.
Maybe it is better to buy a donor movement (you posted one 😉) and take the parts
 
Posts
5,799
Likes
8,997
A donor may indeed be the way to go.
 
Posts
3,306
Likes
7,818
281 hands are hard to find. I would try to replace just the tube.
I can't remember the tube diameter and length across the calibers, do we have that documented anywhere? Would be very useful to have for both the chrono sweep and the sub dial hands.
the Ranfft database has the hour and minute hand length and hole size but not the others
 
Posts
5,799
Likes
8,997
Should be somewhere and would indeed be very valuable
 
Posts
5,799
Likes
8,997
Found this in Sala