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How Could This Have Happened, and What Can Be Done? "Click" to Login or Register 
IHC Life Member
Picture of Ethan Lipsig
posted
Last night, I wound and set a very nice 14k 12 size Illinois Model 1 Extra Thin. When I checked the time a little later, to my horror I found that the "open square" end of what had been the original and perfect hour hand had somehow broken off. I have attached a pre-catastrophe photo of this watch so that you can see how it used to look. The hour hand now ends where the open square end began; the open square end now is lying like a dead animal at the bottom of the dial.

Have any of you experienced such spontaneous hand disintegration? What causes it? Is there a way to prevent it?

Do any of you have a replacement hour hand or an appropriate set of replacement hands for this watch that you would sell to me, or do you know where I could buy them?

Is there any decent way of repairing the broken hand?

 
Posts: 1414 | Location: Pasadena, California USA | Registered: November 11, 2005
IHC Life Member
Picture of David Abbe
posted
Many PROFESSIONAL Jewelers have a micro-laser welder that is fully capable of fixing the hand as you described.

My Jeweler here would probably add a very thin reinforcement behind the broken spot during the repair to reduce the likelyhood of a "repeat performance".

That depends on what the hand is made of, gold, plkated brass, plated steel, etc.
 
Posts: 6492 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: July 19, 2007
IHC Life Member
Picture of Ethan Lipsig
posted
Thanks, David. I will look into this alternative.
 
Posts: 1414 | Location: Pasadena, California USA | Registered: November 11, 2005
IHC Member 163
Picture of Mark Cross
posted
Sounds to me like one hand hung up on the other and it snapped at it's weakest point.

Leon Harris of our chapter is a wizard at laser welding, if you're needing a source.

Regards! Mark
 
Posts: 3837 | Location: Estill Springs, Tennessee, USA | Registered: December 02, 2002
Administrative Assistant
Picture of Dr. Debbie Irvine
posted

Ethan,

One of our members, Leon Harris may be able to help you.

Leon is a fourth generation jeweler and watchmaker who does remarkable work.

Here is a sample...

Grandpa's Watch, A Restoration Project

You may contact Leon at HarrisLJ@msn.com or phone 931-261-0543

Dr. Debbie

Smile
 
Posts: 5374 | Location: Northern Ohio in the U.S.A. | Registered: December 04, 2002
IHC Member 163
Picture of Mark Cross
posted
Thanks for providing Leon's email address, Dr. Debbie. I didn't have it in hand when I told him about Leon's laser skills in my post.

Regards! Mark
 
Posts: 3837 | Location: Estill Springs, Tennessee, USA | Registered: December 02, 2002
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