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[Clay]

I have fallen victim to a minor tragedy and I need some sound advice…

I just got my watch back from having a new HEV installed and noticed this hole:






The hands on this watch are original, some 30 years old and match the dial perfectly…

As you can see they are dry and cracking, which I was aware of…

The people who did the work (Whom I have sent countless watches to and have always been wonderful) were very upset and very apologetic and offered to pay for new hands should I find some…

But that's not really my concern…Shit happens…That's life…I am sure it was just a function of age and I have no need to point fingers...


The question is…What do I do now???

Do I...

1) Stop wearing it, for fear that more Tritium may come loose and cause more problems, put it away and just make it a safe queen???

2) Stop wearing it until I can find the best matching hands I can…???

3) Just wear it and forget about it…???

I'm not as concerned with the esthetics as I am the functionality…

Please advise as I am gutted...

[Vincent65]

Sorry to see this C - maybe get the T-lume stabilised from behind?! I'd still wear it, but not while operating a jack-hammer...

[Vincent65]

Which one is it, BTW? Creamy 16660?

[Clay]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Which one is it, BTW? Creamy 16660?

No, it's the one with the White Markers...

[southtexas]

That sucks, sorry to see it. I might take them up on their offer to find some replacement hands, and let the watch sit while you do so. If, after a good effort, you can't find some, then reassess your options.

You've got a good attitude about it, though!

Edit: I just recalled seeing an ad for hands at VRF; went back and looked but it was a wtb from you! They are out there, good luck.

[Cc1966]

Tough call. I would contact my pro watchmaker and get his/her advise. In the meantime back into the safe. As Karl stated, perhaps lume stabilization is the best route.

[NukeMan]

No 2. Ask Greekbum if he has anything matching (original) in stock (great guy, good supply). Good luck!

[Frosty]

Ouch! Great picture by the way! Would it be possible for Rik or Vanessa to fill it in and stabalize it? Just a thought.

[CrownMe]

I wouldn't wear it because tritium can make its way to the date window. Good news is finding replacement hands should be easier since the patina is white.

[nsumner]

Sorry Clay, it does happen. Let me commend you on your attitude though, most people don't understand the risk involved in working on and preserving these watches. Sounds like your watchmaker is lucky to have you as a customer.

As stated above, I would wear the watch as normal and keep a look out for a hand set. Good luck, keep us posted.

[watchdawg]

The hands need to be stabilized or more will fall out. Problem being that it will find its way into the movement and cause major problems. If you were in Abu Dhabi I would tell you to go to the RSC. They restored my GMT the hands were a little worse and you would never know it.

[subtona]

I would get it stabilized & supported from the best there is.
Wouldn't want those little bits causing trouble within the movement.

[bluemartinifan]

Originally Posted by nsumner

Sorry Clay, it does happen. Let me commend you on your attitude though, most people don't understand the risk involved in working on and preserving these watches. Sounds like your watchmaker is lucky to have you as a customer.

As stated above, I would wear the watch as normal and keep a look out for a hand set. Good luck, keep us posted.

Clay, I agree with Nathaniel - and have 2 questions for our vintage brothers having direct experience on this topic:
#1 has anyone had direct experience with tritium flakes entering the date window.
#2 if YES, what would happen - is there a major downside to wearing as is.

You still have the nicest 16660 out there

[StaceeJaxx]

Originally Posted by subtona

I would get it stabilized & supported from the best there is.
Wouldn't want those little bits causing trouble within the movement.

This is the way to go. Now chill and have a drink (or 3)

[Beaumont Miller II]

Clay
Sorry to see this happen to your watch. Do you have any before pictures of the hand prior to service? The reason I ask is the hole looks to be pretty ragged and fresh. By contrast the imperfections in many vintage watch hands, such as cracks in the tritium, also seen in your watch appear pretty stable.
I usually try to leave well enough alone, only manipulating the dial and movement when necessary. My rationale lies in the belief that it is typically during removal/service/replacement of the dial and movement that the dial can be damaged.

I think a conversation with your watchmaker is warranted. My concern is not so much whether the tritium could enter the date window and affect the movement, but rather if the tritium spills on the dial could this or its removal damage the dial.

Fortunately you have other 666's to wear while you sort this one out.