GMT Hand Repair - Yes or No?

[exador]

I'm just about to send my 16750 in for a service and I'm conflicted about what to do with the cracked GMT hand.

a) Ignore
b) Stabilise
c) Re-lume (presumably with Luminova) colour-matched.

It doesn't particularly bother me but if I leave it, will it get worse?

[RC2]

Mine is similar. See what your watch maker can do and what he/she recommends


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[Rebel]

I would not touch it unless it could create a mechanical concern for the movement.

[JustinK]

I would have the lume repaired as you run the risk of the lume degrading further and dragging around the dial. I would ask your watchmaker before you send it to make sure they can repair it and match the lume.

I have to get my GMT hands repaired as well and I am contemplating ABC or LA Watchwerks for the job.

[roll9]

I just got the hands stabilized on my 1016 any Bob Ridley and I couldn't be happier.

[springer]

Have it repaired from the back of the hand.

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by springer

have it repaired from the back of the hand.

+1

[Tools]

Yes, it will get worse.. Also, I see that the minute hand is beginning to crack and flake..

If you do not get them stabilized they will eventually fall out and get inside the watch works..

[exador]

Originally Posted by springer

Have it repaired from the back of the hand.

Hi Springer, when you say "repaired" do you mean try and fill the gap with lume or just clear stabilised?

Of course there is also option d) Find a replacement hand, but colour matching would be a nightmare

[springer]

Originally Posted by exador

Hi Springer, when you say "repaired" do you mean try and fill the gap with lume or just clear stabilised?

Of course there is also option d) Find a replacement hand, but colour matching would be a nightmare

I meant repaired and filled from the back. I would never clear coat anything regarding markers or hands.

[Vincent65]

I'd leave it alone.

[SubKing]

I know Bob Ridley uses a thin layer of acrylic on the back of the hands to stabilize them. However, you do run a risk of the hands darkening slightly.

LAWW can re lume the hand for you and color match it perfect as well. So two options you have, it's a preference as to which one to go with. Either you can live with the crack once stabilized, or relume it all together.

If it were me, I would have LAWW relume it color matched, then I would take my time sourcing a period correct replacement hand that matches the dial.

[Loevhagen]

Option number 4: Buy an old and matching replacement hand.

[mattedialdoc]

If it were my watch, I would send it to LAWW. From what I understand they have many sets of NOS tritium hands all sorted for color. They will find one to match. Don't mess with those other solutions.
Cheers



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[onthedial]

@exador
Restoration is a tough call. My day job is in the art world and I can tell you that the ways in which paintings have been restored over the years (and the philosophy behind it) is constantly changing and always being reevaluated. How much? How little? That kind of thing. Anyway, in your case, it would be great to know how long you've had your GMT and during that time if the deterioration occurred (if so, has it become more pronounced), or if you acquired the watch in the condition that it's in now and you haven't noticed any change. To be clear, I would want to get the answers to these questions before offering an opinion as to what you should do with the handset (GMT hand).
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[donaker]

Bob Ridley stabilized the Mercedes hand on my 5508 a couple of years back. It still looks great.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by donaker

Bob Ridley stabilized the Mercedes hand on my 5508 a couple of years back. It still looks great.

Yup, he has stabilized the hands on several of my vintage Rolex/Tudors. The stabilization is not detectable unless the hands are removed and inspected from the back, and even though you do run the risk of the hands darkening (or so I have heard), I guess it might depend on who is doing the lume stabilization. With Bob, he has done 3 of mine and the color didn't change at all.

This is ABSOLUTELY the route I would choose.

[RC2]

How does one " stabilize". Just wondering.


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[JerimiahLee]

I'd recommend repairing it. As other mentioned, leaving it it alone is risking the tritium flaking and potentially damaging the dial. Talk to the team at LAWW they can help you relume the hand or stabilize.

Edvi H - edvi@lawatchworks.com

[charlitos]

Original. Dont touch.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by charlitos

Original. Dont touch.

Like all fine artwork and other luxury/collectible/historic products, maintenance and stabilization is critical to keeping it "original" before it simply disintegrates.

[Kh114060]

I'd be worried about it slowly cracking and flaking further as one member mentioned.
Eventually, you might have a dial full of little pieces of lume.

Hope it doesn't fall in through date window and find itself wedged between some gears...

[exador]

Hi All, lots of different opinions as I anticipated. But thank you.
I'll see what my watchmaker advises and get back to you.

[Jamiewabbit]

Originally Posted by Tools

Like all fine artwork and other luxury/collectible/historic products, maintenance and stabilization is critical to keeping it "original" before it simply disintegrates.

Makes a lot of sense. This changed my thoughts.

[ncstate1201]

I have had my lune stabilized and highly recommend it. Especially good if you have a piece like a Tudor 76100 where the non Mercedes hour hand is almost always cracked. To me just is insurance to keep the piece original, why spend all that money on it and then not pay a little extra to make sure to keep it looking good