Removing and Installing watch hands mark free

[highoeyazmuhudee]

for all the builders/modders out there

Im curious if there is actually anyway to remove and install watch hands without marking them even faintly?

In my experience just looking at shiny watch hands marks them, even if it is a superficial hairline scratch thats practically invisible.

and if you have to remove them the tool used to do so has sharp metal jaws and a metal plunger. ive avoided marking most through experience and applying electrical tape over sharp metal parts that make contact or pressure with the hands, but i still cant install or remove hands 100% mark free, more like 95%.

does anyone have any suggestions they'd like to share or experiences?

just wondering if it's mostly me.

if seen videos of a ROLEX-smith using tweezers, it looks like he just touches the second hand to the pinnion and its on ticking away. incredible.

[highoeyazmuhudee]

hmmm...

[bwhitesox]

Sorry Mate I can't help you at all as I've stuffed more watch hands than I want to admit LOL.

Maybe one of the modders can help you out here.

[FxrAndy]

I use a presto begeon hand puller with a thin filn of clear polythene over the hands, that way the hands lift of together and they are not touched by the tools

[Bike Mike]

I use Radico

I use a presto begeon hand puller with a thin filn of clear polythene over the hands, that way the hands lift of together and they are not touched by the tools

+1, I do the same with a piece of clear plastic wrap. I also only use fresh Rodico to move the hands into position for setting.

[FxrAndy]

ditto on the rodico

[redwatch]

Andy - any chance we could see pics of the process? I think it would be super helpful for a lot of folks (including me )

[highoeyazmuhudee]

sounds good, but I too am having a hard time conceptualizing your method.

[spooky driver]

sounds good, but I too am having a hard time conceptualizing your method.

what's conceptualizing mean?

[highoeyazmuhudee]

understanding the concept andy is using in detail so I can use it

[Francisco]

This is what I do. I place a film of very thin plastic over the hands:

Regards,

Francisco

[highoeyazmuhudee]

aaa makes sense

any adivce for removing those tiny low sitting subdial hands?

im gearing up to mod my moon watch

[NaviChief]

for tiny subdial hands I usually pry the whole watch dial up and let it pop the hands off. Just make sure they don't go flying off into the great beyond.

[watcher]

I use the same hand pullers and a loupe so you get a precise view of what you are doing. When resetting only use a very, very smal amount of rodico on the end of the hand setter and just take as long as you need and you will get the knack of it. Sorry no pics at the moment.