Oh boy, had fair warning while setting a 12s Elgin p/w the eve of Thanksgiving and ignored it. While setting my watch, the minute and hour hand rotated simultaneously. I was finally able to set the watch. I looked at my watch later during the day only to discover the minute hand had fallen off.

How does one reattach hand? Should the hour hand be taken off as well before reattaching? What kind of tool would I need?

Hi Stephanie,
John D's Helping Hands "Fitting & Installation of Pocket Watch Hands" might help you replace your FALLEN minute hand If the hand is very loose, you may have to make the hole smaller so that it fits tighter..

Thanks Wayne. Just viewed John's Helping Hands tutorial and now know I will need to send this one out for repair.

Why can't things be simple?

Stephanie, if you ever find the answer to THAT last question, please share it with me! High regards. Mark

Stephanie,
should not be necessary to send out for repair.
Problem sounds simple if I read your post correctly.
set hour hand at 12,seat minute hand at tweleve.
Look from the side and make sure hands are parrelel to each other and lay flat, with space to clear both hands. If so, you should be fine.

If minute hand tends to "fall", remove hand and place in staking tool, round nose punch, tap lightly to close hole,(punch from top side of minute hand)One tap generaly is enough if hand is close to proper for that movement. keep trying until hand stays put on shaft. At worst you may have to tap around the hole with small punch. Try large single punch first. Very easy repair.

hope this helps
j.c.