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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component record · Dial & hands

Hands

Verified

The indicator pointers — typically hour, minute and often a seconds hand — mounted on the motion works' arbors above the dial.

What it does

Physically indicate the time by pointing to markings on the dial or chapter ring, driven by the cannon pinion, hour wheel and (where fitted) the fourth wheel's seconds pinion.

How it works

Each hand is friction-fitted onto its respective arbor or pipe, sized to a specific hole diameter so it can be pressed on securely yet removed for dial or hand replacement without damaging the pinion beneath.

Blued steel hands acquire their characteristic blue colour and increased hardness through controlled heat treatment, historically also functioning as a rust inhibitor and prized aesthetically in fine watchmaking.

Luminous compounds (historically radium, then tritium, now non-radioactive phosphorescent or tritium gas tubes) are applied to hands to allow the time to be read in darkness.

Evolution

From simple blued or gilt hands to a wide variety of shapes (Breguet, spade, dauphine, baton, cathedral, skeleton) associated with different periods and national styles, plus the introduction and later phase-out of radium luminous compounds for safety reasons in the mid-20th century.

Known variations

  • Breguet (moon-tip) hands
  • Spade hands
  • Dauphine hands
  • Baton hands
  • Cathedral hands
  • Skeletonised hands

Identification for collectors

  • Hand style is a useful, though not definitive, period and origin indicator
  • Mismatched hand style versus dial or movement period may suggest replacement or a 'marriage' of parts
  • Radium-lumed hands from the earlier 20th century can still register on a Geiger counter and should be handled accordingly

Common failure modes

  • Loosening on the pipe/arbor causing slipping or hands touching and jamming each other
  • Lume deterioration or flaking
  • Bent hands fouling the dial or crystal

Photographs

Watch hands of Heuer Fliegerchronograph (cropped)
Watch hands of Heuer Fliegerchronograph (cropped) — File:Heuer Fliegerchrono 1.jpg: Gordito1869 derivative work: Superbass, CC BY 3.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Watch hands of Tissot chronograph watch
Watch hands of Tissot chronograph watch — File:Diagonal lines (35421879586).jpg: Ralf Steinberger from Milan, Berlin + Munich, Italy + Germany derivative work: Pittigrilli, CC BY 2.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Watch hands of Nomos Glashütte Metro watch (cropped)
Watch hands of Nomos Glashütte Metro watch (cropped) — Berlinerblau, CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons file page

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Britten, F. J., Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers
  2. de Carle, D., Practical Watch Repairing

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.