marcelo
3053
About the RDM blue hands
I've been planning this text since Wednesday, given the recurrence of the subject and the fact I'm directly interested on it.
We know the heated vs painted JLC hands have been the subject of discussions on quite a bunch of threads here. On this one I described how I differentiated one from the other:
But, last week, Nicolas shed new light into the issue:
I was sad 
to know that my RDM did not carry the
famous heated blue hands, one of the finest expressions of traditional
horological craftsmanship still present on today's watches. It was a big reason
for me being even more proud of the best, by far, watch I own.
Well… I'm kinda stubborn. 
What I did was contact the JLC boutique in Geneva and ask them to confirm if the small hands of my RDM were heated or painted.
Here's the answer I got on November 29:
As at our boutique we are trained experts of high technology timepieces it is my pleasure to answer your inquiry.
The blue hands of all watches of Jaeger-LeCoultre are always made blue by traditional heating method as it is the signature of all high watch making brands. The same method applies to the blues crews.
I knew the lady who so kindly answered my e-mail - and whom I've spoken to on the phone a couple of months ago about another issue - was not right, at least regarding "all watches".
So I asked her to double-check it with the JLC's technical department, forwarding them a couple of questions to make it as clear as possible:
1. Are the blue hands of the Master Réserve de Marche made blue by the traditional heating (tempering) process? If not, what is the process?
2. What about the blue hands of the Master Hometime?
The RDM and the Hometime are the JLC watches upon which I based my interpretation on heated vs painted hands on the post above.
The day before yesterday she answered (to my delight):
"I just receive the answer from the factory regarding your question. The hands of Master Reserve de Marche are in fact made blue by traditional heating method. Regarding Master Hometime the hands are covered in special blue lacquer material."
I was so happy not just because it tells the blue hands of my RDM are heated, but for corroborating my "observations" regarding how to differentiate JLC watches heated and painted hands.
So... What do you think? 
Best
Marcelo
This message has been edited by marcelo on 2012-12-07 12:24:45
About the RDM blue hands
I just come back from the Manufacture.
Welcome home ;) [nt]
Exactly what I said on February, Nicolas:
Glad to know the MC Chrono's blue hands are heated...
It is like the Eiffel Tower.
Big mess for nothing, at the end. Even if
Thank you, Nicolas and Marcelo!