The Hands Set That Must Clear, Pipe and Point True
Hour, minute and seconds hands need height, parallel and pipe fit — interference here looks like a dying movement.
Specification
| Types | Hour · minute · seconds · subdial |
|---|---|
| Profiles | Dauphine · sword · baton · skeleton · leaf |
| Materials | Steel · brass · blued steel · gold-plated |
| Fit | Friction on pipe or post |
| Typical length | Hour 8 – 14 mm · minute 12 – 20 mm |
| Luminous | Painted or applied on many designs |
| Clearance | Must clear dial, indices, crystal and each other |
| Installation | Hand press or hand-fitting tool |
Overview
Hands are the output display of everything you just serviced. Pipe fit must be firm without crushing. Heights must clear each other and the crystal. A beautiful amplitude means nothing if hands kiss.
Press tools with the correct punches. Side loads bend pipes. Marking the dial while pressing is a classic rushed mistake.
Align at 12 with care. Reindexing after casing wastes time you already spent regulating.
What matters about it
- Clearance under crystal and between hands is mandatory
- Pipe fit should be secure, not brutal
- Parallel hands look intentional; tilted hands look amateur
- Seconds hands are easy to launch — control them
- Material softness varies; brass pipes crush sooner
Practical notes
- Dry-fit heights before final press when clearances are tight.
- Support the movement from below when pressing.
- Clean oils off hands so dials stay unmarked.
- Check sweep clearance through a full rotation.
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The Dial You Protect Like a Finished Print
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