I finally found it. I'm sure each and every one of you have a similar story.

About two months ago I was putting some size 16 hands on a movement when my hand slipped and PING I heard the minute had bounce off a wall, a box or something in my immediate vicinity. Well I must have search a hour and found nothing. One thing I have learned is not to go moving things around because you may make matters worse.

So after not finding it I decided well I might as well start moving things around and see if maybe the hand fell between something. So after carefully moving one thing at a time and then replacing it before I moved something else I still did not find that hand.

So now I decide to use a magnet (oh and by the way the room is carpeted), I found a lot of tiny watch parts I did not know I was missing or I had dropped. Luckily I did not need any of them but still no minute hand.

I decided to quit looking for it. One thing I have learned is sooner or later it will show up. Well a couple of nights ago it showed up. No where near the area I lost it in or heard it hit. It was 10 or 12 feet away in a direction I never thought it would have gone. The only thing I can think of is after it hit whatever it hit it must have change direction and kept right on going. I never dreamed it had enough power to go as far as it did.

My watch shop is in my basement. I painted the concrete floor satin white using that Drylock stuff. It makes finding parts a whole lot easier.

Sounds like the voice of experience.

Good for you Harry.

When just beginning in this hobby and doing stuff in the kitchen, I lost a minute hand as you did. A week later I found it on top of the refrigerator.

I have never had the luck of finding something lost that wasn't right near the bench. I think the parts fall into an alternate universe or something.

I've found hands by searching the vacuum cleaner dust with one of those super-strong neodymium magnets.

I think you will find that a spring cable handled magnet such as mine is as good a tool as you can find for locating lost screws,the handle is curled for purposes of the photo, and they are very reasonably priced,best wishes, Tom

I have had a similar situation.
My deduction on my case was that it richoched off the (?) and landed on my clothes somewhere.
When I left the workbench it fell off where ever I found it.
I am sure others have similar stories, and maybe other analysis.

Yesterday, a seconds hand fell out of my hair. But usually these evaporating parts go somewhere they can see you but you cannot see them til they are ready! (Like my Cat!)

I have three size "searching" devices, the 6-1/2" diameter Alternator magnet from my 97 Harley which the factory forgot to balance, a "pickup magnet ($5.00?) from Harbor freight and a magnetic screwdriver I used to Give away when I was in the R/C business. If these tools miss finding the part, it is;
1. Non-Magnetic . . .
2. Sitting on my work surface hiding under something . . .
3. In another dimension of time and space and will return eventually.

I have had this happen too. I usually lose roller table jewels or the last screw of a certain kind that I have in my inventory. I lost one not too long ago while working on a sheet. I figured if it dropped, it would not fall far, and I could lift the whole sheet up and let the screw roll to an end if I lost it ... not the case. Losing one of these parts usually enables me to release a long-pentup four letter word that usually signifies the end to the watch repairing event for the day.

In an earlier post, it was mentioned that some folks use a camera tent to work on parts that are at risk for flight from flying to far. I have not set up my work area like that yet, but will soon. I also like the white carpet / paint idea. The hardships of being a watchmaker / enthusiast ...

Dan

When I was doing model airplanes, I visualized putting my whole work area on a grid over a giant Bowl with a small hole in the bottom of the bowl where the lost parts rolled out into a jar.

I had a big grin on my face all the way down reading these posts. Yep, been there lost that!

In my case I also work on plastic models - not planes but HO scale railway things - and once those plastic bits go 'ping', well, I am sure there is an alternate universe with tiny bits of plastic getting in everyones way.

quote:

The hardships of being a watchmaker / enthusiast ...

That could explain why a lot of long time watchmakers move up to clock repair. The parts are bigger and easier to find when dropped.

Regards! Mark

I have a 14inch magnetic bar mounted on a broom handle and wheels on each end of the magnet and I move slowly over the floor until it picks up the offending item.
Cheers
Gary