Non matching tritium hands

[nsumner]

Hello all. I'm wondering what the consensus is regarding non matching tritium hands. As you can see, my 5513 hand set doesn't match my dial. It hasn't bothered me until recently. As I see it my options are as follows.

1. Do nothing
2. Have a watch maker match them
3. Source a matching set

Any input? I've heard of good results with matching but have never seen it done firsthand. I wouldn't mind sourcing a matching set either but I'm not too interested in embarking on some long drawn out quest to do so.

Thanks,
Nathaniel

[Frogman4me]

I would try and source a used set of hands that are correct and matching close as possible in patina and keep the current hand set in storage.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

I would try and source a used set of hands that are correct and matching close as possible in patina and keep the current hand set in storage.

Good advice and agree. Welcome back David!

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Good advice and agree. Welcome back David!

Hey Ken! Thanks brother. It's great to be back :)

[nsumner]

Thanks David, that's what I'm thinking too. At a minimum I can start looking and see what's available.

[Clay]

I agree, I would try and find a set that matches...
But keep in mind that that can be very difficult!!!

[Puffy]

it would bother me even more knowing any newly sourced but matching hands weren't original to the watch

i'd leave it as it is

all original is all good, even if things are a bit of sync colourwise

[greekbum]

My 1st option would be to source a set that matched.
My 2nd choice would be to have your current set color matched They wont be tritium but probably will look 100% good.
A good used set will be around $3-450 IMHO
Color matching will be around $100 IMHO
I may have a set that matches pm me if interested

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Puffy

it would bother me even more knowing any newly sourced but matching hands weren't original to the watch

i'd leave it as it is

all original is all good, even if things are a bit of sync colourwise

Agreed.
dP

[springer]

Originally Posted by greekbum

my 1st option would be to source a set that matched.
My 2nd choice would be to have your current set color matched they wont be tritium but probably will look 100% good.
A good used set will be around $3-450 imho
color matching will be around $100 imho
i may have a set that matches pm me if interested

x2!

[nsumner]

Thanks everyone for the replys. It's no fun having this discussion alone.

Puffy, I usually feel the same way but for some reason this perticular watch is about to drive me nuts.

I still haven't decided but I will contact Nick and see what he may have in his seemingly bottomless parts stash.

NS

[landroverking]

IMO they are not that far off, now if it does bother you start looking for a replacement.
I would wait and change them at the next service. How much wrist time does it get?

[nsumner]

Jay, it looks closer in the pic than it really is.
The watch does get a fair amount of wrist time. It's my "go to" at the moment.

[seabreeze]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Agreed.
dP

Agreed. Further the odds that the sourced hands are the same shade are long

I had the same dilemma, although a lot of advice was to leave my bright service hands on my 1016, I sent it to bob Ridley this week, because honestly it bugged me. I sprung for a new set for him to color and I will keep the original service hands with the watch.

It like pulling a ding from my car. I just think it will (hope) make me happier each time I look at it

I can always also keep up the hunt for some 67 hands

[nsumner]

Ed, make sure to put up some pics when your 1016 gets back from the Ridley spa.

[Vincent65]

looks fine to me - if they are original to watch, I'd leave it. That's what matters more to me. Unless you can physically see the hands you're trying to match to the dial, it's a tall order to try to get a match using only remote photos, I'd imagine...

[Robbyvm]

i had the same issue with my first Red sub... once it begins to bother you it won't go away !
finding a matching set without seeing it on the watch seems almost impossible to me, try finding one that you can check out in daylight together with your watch.
having the hands redone is a good option since there are some real magicians out there !

[seabreeze]

Originally Posted by nsumner

Ed, make sure to put up some pics when your 1016 gets back from the Ridley spa.

Will do I'm actually a bit anxious and nervous. Which is why I asked them to do it to a new set of hands case for some reason I don't like the result

[bluemartinifan]

Nice looking 5513 by the way

[Renoir]

If they are original to the watch, I'm with the "leave it alone" consensus.

Great piece by the way!

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by nsumner

Puffy, I usually feel the same way but for some reason this perticular watch is about to drive me nuts.

i'd leave the watch sitting for a few days... then try wear it again to see if it still did my head in

wearing it outside will make the colour difference look less obvious

i've seen hands that are a lot more different to the dial

[nsumner]

Thanks guys! It is a very nice piece, that's the main reason the hands are bugging me. Just look at it's case!

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by nsumner

Thanks guys! It is a very nice piece, that's the main reason the hands are bugging me. Just look at it's case!

if you change the hands, i'll have you banned

it'd be like watching a 65 year old woman with fake t*ts

[nsumner]