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Dial & Hands

Hands (Dauphine, Breguet, Sword, Alpha, Cathedral, Snowflake)

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Watch dial pointers indicating time in styles like Dauphine, Breguet, Sword, Alpha, Cathedral, and Snowflake for varied aesthetics.

Hands come in a wide variety of shapes, each with a name. Dauphine hands are diamond-shaped and elegant. Breguet hands have a hollow moon-shaped tip, invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet. Sword hands taper to a sharp point. Alpha hands are a combination of diamond and sword shapes. Cathedral hands have a cutout pattern reminiscent of Gothic church windows, often filled with lume. Snowflake hands are unique to Tudor, with a square lume plot on the hour hand. The choice of hand shape is one of the most defining elements of a watch's character.

Frequently asked.

What are Dauphine hands on a watch?

Dauphine hands are diamond-shaped tapered hands that narrow to a sharp point. Named after the French royal title, they're characterized by faceted surfaces that catch light beautifully. Common on dress watches, they offer elegant legibility and timeless sophistication.

Why are Tudor's hands called snowflake?

Tudor snowflake hands feature a distinctive square or lollipop-shaped tip resembling a snowflake crystal. Introduced in 1969 for Tudor dive watches, they offer superior lume visibility underwater and have become an iconic design signature recognized across Tudor's sport watch collections.

What's the difference between Breguet and sword hands?

Breguet hands feature a distinctive hollowed circle (moon tip) near the end, named after watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet. Sword hands taper from a wide base to a sharp point like a blade. Breguet hands are more ornate and traditional, sword hands are bold and utilitarian.

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