Nicest Watch Hands: Breguet, Dauphine, Assegai

Alkiro1 · 2017-09-05T10:01:45Z

Explore the diverse world of watch hands, from classic Breguet to innovative designs. Join the discussion on what makes watch hands truly beautiful and functional.

Alkiro1

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

67 replies18302 views12 photos

Alkiro1 initiates a community discussion on the aesthetic appeal of watch hands, following previous popular threads on rotors and lugs. This article explores a diverse range of hand styles, from classic Breguet and Dauphine to innovative designs like Parmigiani Fleurier's Pantographe and Ulysse Nardin's Freak, inviting collectors to share their personal favorites and insights.

Hi all,

After two topics based on the nicest rotors and lugs (links below), the time has come to talk about hands 👋... No! Watch hands 😁

Rotors: http://www.watchprosite.com/page-wf.forumpost/fi-17/pi-8921396/ti-1147986/s-0/t--what-is-the-nicest-rotor-ever-made-for-you/

Lugs: http://www.watchprosite.com/page-wf.forumpost/fi-17/pi-8938506/ti-1149141/s-0/t--what-are-the-nicest-lugs-ever-made/

If hands are almost essential to read the time (sorry Lange Zeitwerk), we all know that their shapes and styles can be very different from one timepiece to another.

Below are few shots of different styles of hands (not exhaustive of course). Among them, in your collection or not, what are the nicest ones for you?

From my side, I have a soft spot for "leaf" ones which are so sensual in my opinion.

What are your thoughts, comments and shots?

Empire, "pomme excentrée et évidée" or better known as Breguet now

Omega Seamaster "Broad arrow" hands - Credit: Nono01

Laurent Ferrier "Assegai" hands (I love them a lot) - Credit: MikeH

Parmigiani Fleurier Pantographe and its "telescoping" hands - Credit: KMII

Vacheron Constantin "Dauphine" hands - Credit: MikeH

The VC Mercator and its splendid "Compass" hands (one of my Grail)

Cecil Purcell V17 World Time Bi-axial Tourbillon with another kind of "Arrow" hands

Raketa Copernicus with "moon and sun" hands

Manufacture Royale 1770 Voltige and "Sword-shaped skeleton" hands

Peter Speake-Marin Serpent Calendar. Four different hands all gorgeous. The date one makes me think to the Breguet Serpentine

Ulysse Nardin Freak whose minute hand is... the mouvement. I love this timepiece so much

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk and its futuristic hands

Best wishes

Alkiro

Key Points from the Discussion

The three-dimensional hands used in Chopard L.U.C references, such as the Lunar One, are excellent examples of contemporary design. Chopard has also offered these hands with a polished and brushed finish to enhance their 3D shape.
Laurent Ferrier's Assegai hands and Voutilainen's 'pomme' hands (distinct from Breguet's in shape and two-tone color) are highly regarded. The 'Compass' hands on the VC Mercator are also considered sublime.
The appeal of hands is highly dependent on the watch itself. Examples include the 'pomme' hands on the Cartier 2396, cathedral hands on the Montblanc 1858 Tachymeter, and modernist dauphine fusee hands on current Chopard L.U.C watches.
The alarm hand on the Poljot is a unique favorite, alongside a general weakness for dauphine hands.
The Urwerk and AP Star Wheel's time indication might be considered more 'satellites' than traditional hands, highlighting innovative approaches to time display. The CVDK hands could be a 'Louis' style, and the Deep Space shares a spirit with the UN Freak.
Laurent Ferrier's hands are splendid and similar to the sensual 'leaf' style, like those on the Moser Mayu. While Voutilainen hands have a distinct style, they are not universally preferred.

The Discussion

Ares501 - Mr Green

Sep 5, 2017

Great post Cheers D P.S. I really like the hands of Tzar

Karlisnet

Sep 5, 2017

Great illustrative post

Alkiro1

Sep 5, 2017

Tsar hands are not so bad true. 7 in total like the deadly sins and the number of different guillochés 😉 Best wishes Alkiro

Alkiro1

Sep 5, 2017

What would be your favourite hands? (You can select what you want in this thread or not it's free 😁). Best wishes Alkiro

Mike H

Sep 5, 2017

- Laurent Ferrier assegai hands (thanks for the credit) - Voutilainen "pomme" hands which obviously are close to the Breguet ones but not identical at all neither in the shape nor in the color (2 tones white blue for the KV vs one tone blue for Breguet) But it is true that these "Compas" hands on the Mercator are sublime too... Sorry Damjan I know it hurts LOL Mike

Alkiro1

Sep 5, 2017

The LF hands are splendid and "close" to the leaf ones I love so much (typically the ones of the Moser Mayu for instance). They are both so sensual as I wrote. I'm less fan of the KV hands to be honest with you even if they have their own style which is particularly appreciated. You have so many styles today. Impossible to be exhaustive. But, at least, you're almost sure to find what you're looking for. Best wishes Alkiro

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Nicest Watch Hands: Breguet, Dauphine, Assegai

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