Hour and Minute hand alignment question

[H.W. Frank]

Question about the relationship between hour and minute hand alignment: Is it mechanically possible for the relative alignment between the two hands to shift over time? I understand (I think) from reading through other posts that the hands move according to the same internal gearing, so I would think that the relationship between the two would be constant.

I ask because I recently noticed the very slightest misalignment of the hour hand on my 14060M: at 6 o'clock, the hour hand is the smallest fraction of a mm past dead center of the index, with the minute and second hands dead-center on the 12 index. I had not noticed this in the 14 months I've owned the watch. I recently acquired an Explorer II, however, and its alignment is absolutely perfect at 6. I'm therefore wondering whether I've only just now noticed the Sub's hands being off because of the contrast with the Exp, or whether the Sub hand could have shifted a hair. Both bought new at AD, so no question re authenticity.

So, two questions: (1) could it have shifted? (2) If not, and if it's always been a hair off, is that within tolerances? As I said, it's just a hair's width off, or less than a minute's time.

Sorry for long post, but any knowledgeable response appreciated.

regards,

HWF

[Ironstark]

Its not possible for the gearing to have shifted unless damage had occurred to the teeth of the wheels involved. Highly unlikely, especially since if that happened it would be out by way more than a hairs breadth.
Sounds like you have only noticed since you have the EXP II for comparrison.
The tolerance for this is really down to whoever inspected it when it was ready to leave the factory. As an inspector of other watchmakers work , I know my tolerances are tighter than others.

[H.W. Frank]

Thanks for the information. Very helpful, and confirms what I was thinking.