Things You Didn’t Know About the Second Hand of Watches

When mentioning the second hand, many people immediately think of its function of counting seconds, combined with the hour and minute hands to form a complete trio on the watch face. However, the second hand of watches is not just that simple; it has many more interesting and subtle aspects. Let’s explore with Min Luxury!

Things You Didn’t Know About the Second Hand of Watches

The Second Hand to Differentiate Between Mechanical and Quartz Watches

Anyone who has tried both mechanical and quartz watches will notice the difference not only through the markings on the dial or the case back but also through the movement of the second hand. Mechanical watches have a smoothly sweeping second hand, while quartz watches have a second hand that ticks with each second.

Things You Didn't Know About the Second Hand of Watches (3)

Distinguishing Between the Regular Second Hand and the Chronograph Second Hand

Typically, the longest thin hand on the dial is the second hand. However, with chronograph watches, the central second hand is often the chronograph second hand, which only works when the chronograph function is activated. This allows the wearer to easily track the elapsed seconds when using the chronograph, instead of having to look at a small sub-dial.

The Second Hand Can Be on a Sub-Dial

To avoid confusion between the chronograph second hand and the regular second hand, wearers can look for specific identifying features. If the watch has a chronograph function, the second hand on the sub-dial is the chronograph hand. Conversely, if there is no chronograph function, it is the regular second hand.

Things You Didn't Know About the Second Hand of Watches (3)

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The Second Hand to Indicate If a Dive Watch Is Still Working

In dive watch collections from Tissot, Seiko, Citizen, Orient, we see that most have a second hand. For dive watches, the second hand is crucial as it helps divers know whether the watch is still running, especially when diving deep underwater. Luminescent second hands enable divers to easily track the time and avoid risks.

The Second Hand May Not Be Necessary on Regular Watches

When buying a watch, very few people pay attention to whether it has a second hand or not. The watch face remains elegant and aesthetically pleasing even without the second hand. However, functions such as the hour and minute hands are indispensable. For this reason, many watch brands have removed the second hand from regular watch models to focus on elegance and simplicity.

Things You Didn't Know About the Second Hand of Watches (3)

Thus, the second hand is not just a part of the watch for counting seconds but also carries many special functions and meanings. Depending on the type of watch and its intended use, the second hand may or may not be present, but it always remains an important part of the design and function of the watch.

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