Hole in minute hand?

[SALTY]

In my old (1997) beloved 16710LN I have had what I thought was a speck of paint missing from the minute hand. For reasons that only us WIS types would understand I was on the computer (Rolex Forums, of course) and examining my watch with a loupe. It was then that I saw what I thought to be the white lettering of, "OYSTER OERPETUAL DATE" through the minute hand. I unscrewed the crown, moved the minute hand and, sure enough, there is a hole that you can see right through!

I assume that the missing piece went away when the watch was last serviced (non-RSC) and it doesn't bother me so much but obviously will be replaced (by RSC) before I give it to my son in a few years.

Anyone ever have or hear of this before?

[Puffy]

mental.... not seen or heard of this before..

let's see a pic...

[SALTY]

Anybody know of way to take macro shots with a cell phone? Here's a 10x loupe over the lens of my iPhone.

It is definately a hole because when you move the minute hand you can see through it different parts of the white lettering beneath it.

You can see the "E" of "ROLEX"if you look carefully. Move the minute hand and the view through the hole changes exactly coincident with whatever is beneath it on the dial.

[kilyung]

The lume's deteriorating... the hands aren't solid. I'd get the hands stabilized or replaced. More worrisome is what happened to the missing piece? If it gets into the movement...

[azguy]

Originally Posted by kilyung

The lume's deteriorating. I'd get the hands stabilized or replaced. More worrisome is what happened to the missing piece? If it gets into the movement...

New hands for sure

[Bangel]

Originally Posted by kilyung

The lume's deteriorating... the hands aren't solid. I'd get the hands stabilized or replaced. More worrisome is what happened to the missing piece? If it gets into the movement...

No, I've never seen this before, but it's very interesting. As noted, the location of the missing bits are the biggest issue.

[TattooedGQ]

So that's Luminova that deteriorated like that?

I've seen it with Trit first hand...it happened on my Omega Cosmic (drives me nuts), but I've never seen it with moden lume.....interesting.

[SALTY]

It's Tritium.

I noticed the "spot" after a non RSC service so hopefully the pieces went away with the cleaning.

[Jocke]

Just sell it at VRF as a lollipop hand.

[77T]

When you had it serviced and wanted to keep it as "original" as possible then the Tritium wouldn't be touched by the watchmaker.

When I drop my older pieces off for service we go over the details on what gets refinished to avoid problems.

[Puffy]

there's something i haven't seen before!

[mjclark32]

Whoa!

[mannyv11]

Never seen this before on any watch

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by Nimrod

It's Tritium.

I noticed the "spot" after a non RSC service so hopefully the pieces went away with the cleaning.

Ah OK...then yes, perfectly normal after time...still would drive me nuts though.

[Sam Philip]

I have heard a story (in a GMT too) that lump falling off and stopping the watch, presumably by interfering with the movement.

I think your watch hands needs stabilisation/replacement and your watch would need a a service

[HRV]

Originally Posted by Puffy

there's something i haven't seen before!

x2