Replacing sub-second hand?

[Hammilton]

Hello!  I have be working on a Gruen 510S that had a bad balance spring, so I got a replacement and put it together this morning, and it took off and is running strong, so I put the dial back on and put hands on.  However, the sub-second hand won't stick now.  I removed it by very gently prying it up, and it will turn, but it falls off.  Are these likely to stretch?  I accidentally lost it as a result, fell on the floor when I was putting it back in the case before I realized it could flop off, so hopefully eBay has someone selling one.  Are they generally the same size from one movement to the next?

[Chopin]

No they are not the same across movements. Usually they'll fit but only on some movements.

First thing you're looking at is the diameter of the hole of the tube that goes into the pivot that comes out of the movement. Then there's the length of the hand, the design and, perhaps, the height.

[Nucejoe]

How about letting a magnet find you the hand.

It's tube can be tightened, use a regular nail clipper, tighten at the tube's mid-section. 

 

 

 

 

 

[rogart63]

I bought a bunch from cousinsuk . Both vintage and new. Maybe have something that fits your watch. 

 

[saswatch88]

They are generally the same size and as suggested a magnet is your friend here. usually they come with a short or long tube that would be the main difference from one to the next. You can use nail clippers like Nuce said but in my experience you must be very careful since you can easily snip off the tube or crimp too much. Sometimes i use just a pair of tweezers to crimp it.