Swapping out old hands for new hands?

[leopardprey]

Ok, how would one go about, and does any one know of an independant watch dealer that can swap out the old syle skinny hands on a Rolex, for the newer Maxi Hands, like found on the newer GMTs or Sub LV/YM?

PLease, no comments about how it would effect the watches value, or should not modify, etc.. I could really care less.

If one want to do, how can they do?

I have seen other forum members here who have done things such as swap out SS seconds hands with YM Red second hand for example.

Would like to put the larger hands on my Explorer II for better lum and better visibility.

Thanks.

[colemanitis]

Any watchmaker could swap the hands. Finding the maxi hands will be the hard part, unless you already have them.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I guess you can order the Maxi hands from your AD.

[Tools]

Chad,


Never mind....Jeff beat me to the screen.

But to add to Spaceys comment....In the US you will be hard pressed to find an AD who will, or can, order parts.

Hmmm, interesting....perhaps one of our UK friends could buy hands and send them to you....reimbursed, of course.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Thx, Larry, I didn't know that. Here in Europe you should be able to order the parts, but how long it would take and what the cost would be I do not know.

[newsub]

forgive my ignorance - again!

but how can you tell which hand you have?

[leopardprey]

Yeah, like when I went searching for a Rolex Original Black Bezel insert for the Sub LV. You would think it would be easy, but it was almost impossible to get!

I do understand Rolex wanting to control their spare parts so as to prevent fraud/fakes. But, it would be nice if the Rolex RSC would customize your Rolex for you if you wanted and then just provide official paper work with the work verifying it was done at a RSC and legal.

[leopardprey]

If you have a Sub LV, YM you have the larger minute hand. If you have a newer style model GMT II (TT, All Gold, or SS) you have the larger minute and larger hour hands. The models that have the larger hands also have the alrger hour markers. This is refered to as the "Maxi Dial". And IMHO a much needed improvement, as easier to catch the time at a quick glance and also better lumination of the dial and hands.

[newsub]

Thanks, does that mean a 'z' SS sub has narrow hands?

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Yeah, like when I went searching for a Rolex Original Black Bezel insert for the Sub LV. You would think it would be easy, but it was almost impossible to get!

I do understand Rolex wanting to control their spare parts so as to prevent fraud/fakes.

Chad, have you tried sending Jocke a PM? We've seen some of his customized Rolex watches and you're both on the same side of the pond, more or less. Just a thought.

[leopardprey]

Newsub, Yes the SS Submariner has the older style thinner hands, as well as the SeaDweller, and Sub No Date. The same style hands pretty much as they have had for the last 50 years.

The Green Bezel Sub LV has the newer maxi dial and hands.

[S2000 Driver]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Swapping out old hands for new hands?

Sounds barbaric!

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by S2000 Driver

Sounds barbaric!

It's not as if Chad is looking to pepper the thing with diamonds for gawd sake.

[S2000 Driver]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

It's not as if Chad is looking to pepper the thing with diamonds for gawd sake.

Ah, watch hands!

That's a relief!