How to spot hand-stack height problems and the risk of damage when hands touch or scrape the crystal.
If you hear faint scraping, see a hand hesitate, or notice arc marks under the crystal, treat it as possible hand-to-crystal contact. Stop heavy wear and have hand height / crystal clearance checked.
Hands need clearance under the crystal. If the stack is too high, a hand is bent, or the crystal sits too low, contact can mark the crystal and disturb free motion.
This checker estimates risk from symptoms. Only proper inspection confirms actual clearance.
How do I know if watch hands are rubbing the crystal?Listen for scrape, watch for hesitation, inspect for arc marks, and check side-view clearance.
Can watch hands touching the crystal cause damage?Yes. Crystal marks, hand-tip wear and motion disturbance are the main risks.
What causes hands to touch the crystal?Stack height, bent hands, crystal seating and post-service reassembly issues are common.
Should I keep wearing a watch if a hand scrapes the crystal?Better to pause regular wear and get clearance checked.