Repair

One of my watch hands looks loose

Started by quietstorm42 • November 13, 2026 • 11 replies
quietstorm42
quietstorm42 November 13, 2026 at 1:46 AM

Noticed yesterday that the minute hand on my skeleton watch has a slight wobble when I tilt the watch. It's not falling off or anything, but it definitely moves more than it should. Is this something I can fix myself or should I take it in? I've had it for about three years and it's never been serviced.

tinkerer_77
tinkerer_77 November 13, 2026 at 1:55 AM

That wobble is usually the hand not being pressed down fully on the pinion. Over time they can work loose. If you're comfortable removing the caseback and have a hand presser, it's a simple fix. Otherwise a watchmaker will do it quickly and cheaply.

coffeeandwatches
coffeeandwatches November 13, 2026 at 2:32 AM

Could also be a bent hand or a worn pinion. Don't ignore it too long, a loose hand can scratch the dial or snag on the other hands.

skeletonnewbie
skeletonnewbie November 13, 2026 at 6:56 AM

How would I know if it's bent? Mine has a tiny wobble too butt I assumed it was normal.

tinkerer_77
tinkerer_77 November 13, 2026 at 9:18 AM

Take a close look under a loupe while slowly turning the crown. If the hand tip moves in a circle that doesn't match the pivot, it's bent. If it just sits slightly high and wiggles, it's loose.

grampawinder
grampawinder November 13, 2026 at 10:02 AM

Three years without servIce is probably part of it. Oils dry up, parts wear. A loose hand might just be the first symptom. Worth having a watchmaker look at the whole movement while they're in there.

coffeeandwatches
coffeeandwatches November 13, 2026 at 10:22 AM

I'd second that. But be careful who you take it to. Some places will insist on a full service for something that just needs a hand pressed. Get a quote first.

quietstorm42
quietstorm42 November 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM

Thanks, all. I don't have a hand presser so I'll probably take it in. There's a independent watchmaker nerar me that's been around for years. I'll ask them to check it out and give me an estimate before doing anything.

dialsideup
dialsideup November 13, 2026 at 12:47 PM

Good call. Skeleton movements are fiddly to work on and it's easy to scratch something if you're not used to it. Let us know what they say.

skeletonnewbie
skeletonnewbie November 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM

Following this. Mine has the same issue and I've been putting off dealing with it.

grampawinder
grampawinder November 13, 2026 at 1:47 PM

One more thing: if the watch is still under any kind of warranty, check that first. Some brands won't cover work done by a third party.

tinkerer_77
tinkerer_77 November 13, 2026 at 3:33 PM

And if you do decide to try it yourself later, practice on a cheap movement first. Hand pressers aren't expensive but the learning curve is real.

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