Arrow hands are watch hands whose tips are shaped like an arrowhead. The large point at the end of the hand makes the time easy to read, which is why they suit watches where clarity matters, such as dive watches and sport watches. The trade-off is a heavier, bolder look than most other hand styles.
Which hands carry the arrow tip?
A watch may carry the arrow tip on both the hour and minute hands, or on just one of them. The shape is not reserved for the hour hand. Omega’s Aqua Terra, for example, puts the arrow on its minute hand. Sport watches use arrow hands to show both the hours and the minutes.
Why are arrow hands used on dive watches?
Arrow hands are common on dive watches and on other watches that must be very easy to read. This is especially true when the hands carry luminous material. Omega’s Planet Ocean series is cited as a particularly successful use of the style. The cost is in the looks. Arrow hands usually appear heavier and bolder than other hand styles.
What are broad arrow hands?
Broad arrow hands are a wider version of the arrow hand. They are best known on the Omega Speedmaster, where the design first appeared in 1957. The name refers to the broad arrow, a British military marking found on watches issued to British forces in the Second World War. Omega’s Ranchero used the same broad arrow hands as the 1957 models, along with the same black dial and triangular luminous markers.
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