Watch tools

Roycropper63

Bought another watch recently and the lad I believeought it from was able to resize the bracelet for me. He has a small punch and hammer with a square frame to hold it.
Could someone one recommend a basic kit and maybe include a strap pin tool as well?
Many thanks

Roy

Deep Thought

Roycropper63 wrote: »

Bought another watch recently and the lad I ought it from was able to resize the bracelet for me. He has a small punch and hammer with a square frame to door with.
Could someone one recommend a basic kit and maybe include a strap pin tool as well?
Many thanks

Roy

Bought one like this .

Cheap as chips and does the job

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ie%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253231026809

oxocube

Deep Thought wrote: »

Bought one like this .

Cheap as chips and does the job

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ie%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253231026809

I have this exact set. The quality is not great. If I was buying again I'd spend a few more bob.

Roycropper63

Sorry for posting in an old thread. But for some reason I never checked back on this and now the links wont work.
Not too expensive but good quality if possible.
Thanks Roy

funkyouup

I got this last year, its ok but cheap and decent quality dont go together very well.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BVG3JMS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

screwdrivers are pretty crappy but there was extra tips if you break them. The tool for pushing out pins works just fine but they are pretty delicate.

It was an ok set to get you started but you get what you pay for at the end of the day and it wanst bad for 30 euros.

Thirdfox

Hammer and pin can be a cheapo aliexpress set if that's what you're looking for purely.
I prefer hammer and pin over the pusher types of split pin removal (have those too but always found hammer easier to use):
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20200417063523&SearchText=watch+hammer+pin

For things that are precision tools (screwdrivers, springbar tools, tweezers) look at Swiss watch tools rather than Chinese - speaking from personal experience you get what you pay for - Bergeon 6767F springbar tool, A*F screwdrivers etc.

I do keep a set of cheaper screwdrivers for links rather than watch tinkering - red rooster - cheap enough that I don't cry if I damage the screwdriver head (never mind the watch ) - it's good enough for work outside the watch movement but I wouldn't trust it inside to be honest - not disparaging it but it wasn't really built with working on thousand euro watches in mind.
http://redroosteruk.com/screwdrivers/

edit: put it this way - in the watch factories I've inspected both at Seagull HQ and the smaller OEMs in guangzhou - they're using Bergeon - good reason why the professionals use professional tools.

Roycropper63

Just need something really for taking links out of bracelets and maybe the odd strap in case I need it in the future.
Many thanks for the replies

Roycropper63

Just ordered from Amazon. Thànks again

Eoin

I got one of these years ago for a pretty stubborn bracelet and I seem to remember it doing the trick

893bet

Cheaper tools in general do the trick.

I do find cheaper screw drivers tend to damage screw heads and some cheap spring bar tools can be a pain.

blue5000

With tools I always try to buy the best quality that I can afford. Keep an eye out for used bergeron on the bay, you'd be surprised the amount of it available.

Cienciano

It's hard to filter out all the ****ty Chinese trash on ebay. I have that ****ty kit that keeps turning up. Screwdriver needed to be filed before I could use it. Definitely worth having a decent springbar remover, screwdriver and link pin removal tool for changing straps and removing links

Eoin

Amazon is flooded with that too, in every category. At least you can read product reviews, and try and filter out the shills. Harder on eBay.

Thirdfox

OmegaGene wrote: »

the springbar tool they make is the nuts and dirt cheap now too

Gosh it is dirt cheap now - I remember I got it for €24-27 euro a few years ago and thought it was a bargain.

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Bergeon-6767-F-Spring-Bar-Watch-Bracelet-Fitting-Removing-Tool-Fine-HL-6767F/264532296438?hash=item3d975a82f6:g:bekAAOSweXhXl26H

See it's €15 now. No reason not to get one (I'm going to get another as a spare).

...well unless your watch strap uses quick release springbars of course :pac:

btkm8unsl0w5r4

OmegaGene wrote: »

worth every penny even at 27 euro

Agreed a good spring bars tools is worth it as are good precision screwdrivers.

Eoin

Here's the same one with free postage.

Cienciano

Eoin wrote: »

Amazon is flooded with that too, in every category. At least you can read product reviews, and try and filter out the shills. Harder on eBay.

There's some massive factory in China lashing them out. Tbh, for changing the battery or strap, ot removing links from the bog standard watch, it's fine

blue5000

blue5000 wrote: »

With tools I always try to buy the best quality that I can afford. Keep an eye out for used bergeron on the bay, you'd be surprised the amount of it available.

Apologies to all the ppl who went shopping for Bergeron watch tools it's bergeon, honestly never noticed it before.

Anyway to make up for it, here's a link to hswalsh, an ebay shop and official Bergeon distributor.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_ssn=hswalsh&_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=bergeon&_sop=2

Thirdfox

Interestingly I see the Chinese have started making affordable (relatively) mainspring winders now - previously you had to pray to get a vintage estate set for cheap from ebay but now I see that you can get a newly made set (and for the popular movements such as 2824, 3135, 7750, 2893 etc) for around 120 euro. An interesting game changer I think for people who wish to service their own watches and don't want to attempt hand winding a mainspring back into the barrel.

TheW1zard

Ive ordered one of those watch presses off amazon, cost 20 quid.
If it works once im quids in!

Eoin

I just got one that I thought was a crystal press, but turned out to just be a case back closer. Nobody to blame but myself for not paying attention, but raging as everything takes so long to arrive at the moment.

Thirdfox

Ordered a timegrapher with "premium shipping" - hopefully it won't take 2 months to arrive!

Lurching

Cienciano wrote: »

It's hard to filter out all the ****ty Chinese trash on ebay. I have that ****ty kit that keeps turning up. Screwdriver needed to be filed before I could use it.

I think that's the one I have. It's really hard to find a decent watch tool set that isn't either a China special or Bergeon. I'd love to find some middle ground.

The screwdrivers in the set I have all started to slip where the shaft meets the handle, so obviously they glued it in with chewing gum or something. I just end up using my normal Stanley small screwdriver set.

Thirdfox

Red rooster's (China made) set is what I use on cheaper movements - I just checked and the uber cheap set (around 7 pounds if I remember correctly) are no longer being sold by them anymore:
http://redroosteruk.com/screwdrivers/

They seem to have a more expensive set with a stand... with these cheap tools I prefer the old style (where it didn't come with a stand - when I'm spending 7 pounds I want all the money to go into the blades/screwdrivers and not the accessories).

£14 is still pretty cheap though.

Have a set of A*F screwdrivers (French made) for serious work though - was this set - see it's no longer on Amazon now but I recall it wasn't super expensive:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AF-Professional-Precision-Makers-Screwdriver/dp/B001R5KSK4

Think it's around 35 euro for the A*F screwdrivers now - so if it's a choice between a cheapo set and the better set I think get the better set and some replacement blades if you actually need a watchmaker's screwdriver.

Found the A*F set here:
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/AF-18970A-Sets-of-5-A-F-Precision-screwdrivers-0-6-0-8-1-00-1-2-1-40-mm/264561725494?hash=item3d991b9036:g:25IAAOSw1add8m0f

I'm not sure Bergeon's screwdrivers are actually considered best in class - might be horotec:
https://forums.watchuseek.com/f6/bergeon-vs-horotec-screwdrivers-175239.html

Good to see Lysander (a pretty respectable watchmaker who has done plenty of teardowns of movements for posters on WUS) say that Bergeon/Horotec are only slightly better than A*F i.e. A*F very good value-wise.

Blanchy90

I've just picked up some cheap screwdrivers from cousins uk to get me started hopefully they're not terrible.

Cienciano

Blanchy90 wrote: »

I've just picked up some cheap screwdrivers from cousins uk to get me started hopefully they're not terrible.

As long as your not getting the Ebay, €3 delivered set, you'll be grand for bits and pieces. My shítty ones do the job for certain things, and they're the lowest of the low quality.
I keep meaning to buy new ones, but end up going down a watch tool rabbit hole and not getting anything!

Blanchy90

Cienciano wrote: »

As long as your not getting the Ebay, €3 delivered set, you'll be grand for bits and pieces. My shítty ones do the job for certain things, and they're the lowest of the low quality.
I keep meaning to buy new ones, but end up going down a watch tool rabbit hole and not getting anything!

Fingers crossed I've a couple of old vostoks that I want to dismantle and get back running. I don't mind spending money if I'll use them but I'll chance these first

Eoin

Blanchy90 wrote: »

I've just picked up some cheap screwdrivers from cousins uk to get me started hopefully they're not terrible.

I got a bunch of their "value" range parts as well - the screwdriver set seems decent enough so far, and each one has a spare... thing.

Roycropper63

Put the spring bar tool to work today. Changed a strap on a citizen bm8180. A bit fiddly but managed it.

Ryath

Going to get the Bergeon 6767-F spring-bar tool mentioned earlier.

It's actually a bit cheaper on their own site as postage is £6 and unlike their ebay shop you're not charged shipping per item.
https://www.hswalsh.com/product/watch-spring-bar-tool-bergeon-6767-f-6767f-hl6767f

Need to resize a Seiko pin and collar bracelet so was going to get their bracelet pin remover.
https://www.hswalsh.com/product/watch-bracelet-pin-remover-tool-bergeon-7230-hp7230

From videos I've looked at it seems easy use. Am I better getting a cheap set with a block, hammer and pin punches?

Looked at some of the bigger watch tool sets on amazon but they seem too cheap really for the amount of tools you get. The H&S recommended early in the thread is out of stock. Thinking I may be better getting better individual tools as I need them? Don't need them right away but I could do with some case back opening tools as I've some older watches that need batteries or will soon. Mostly snap on but one fairly decent seiko quartz with a screwed down case back.

Actually could do with some decent precision screw drivers as I need them for some other jobs. Need a mix though Torx, crosshead/philips and I've a G Shock with hex head screws for the strap!

Thinking maybe a decent set of flat heads and this set.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DCYW42R/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

Cienciano

Ryath wrote: »

Going to get the Bergeon 6767-F spring-bar tool mentioned earlier.

It's actually a bit cheaper on their own site as postage is £6 and unlike their ebay shop you're not charged shipping per item.
https://www.hswalsh.com/product/watch-spring-bar-tool-bergeon-6767-f-6767f-hl6767f

Need to resize a Seiko pin and collar bracelet so was going to get their bracelet pin remover.
https://www.hswalsh.com/product/watch-bracelet-pin-remover-tool-bergeon-7230-hp7230

From videos I've looked at it seems easy use. Am I better getting a cheap set with a block, hammer and pin punches?

Looked at some of the bigger watch tool sets on amazon but they seem too cheap really for the amount of tools you get. The H&S recommended early in the thread is out of stock. Thinking I may be better getting better individual tools as I need them? Don't need them right away but I could do with some case back opening tools as I've some older watches that need batteries or will soon. Mostly snap on but one fairly decent seiko quartz with a screwed down case back.

Actually could do with some decent precision screw drivers as I need them for some other jobs. Need a mix though Torx, crosshead/philips and I've a G Shock with hex head screws for the strap!

Thinking maybe a decent set of flat heads and this set.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DCYW42R/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

From my experience of just changing straps and removing links, and having the shítty ebay kit to start out with. A decent screwdriver is worth it. IF you're removing links it's definitely worth having a good one as it'll reduce the chance of slipping and scratching. The ebay one has a terrible finish and the metal isn't that hard, so it can slip easilly. I ended up filing mine to get a better tip but then just bought a set seperately. Flat head, probably get a couple of sizes. Honestly can't remember the size, I got a kit, but the good ones are so much better.

The Bergeon springbar tool is definitely worth it too. It's a pleasure to use compared to the shítty ebay one it's much smaller and finer tip, can get into the gaps easier. The ebay one in the kit is a pile of shíte!

But the ebay pin and collar remover is actually fine. Works perfectly and not something I'd spend money on. It's low quality, but still works perfectly.
The watch case remover is actually ok too if you set it right. I've taken the backs off a good few watches. I wouldn't do anything expensive, but perfect for replacing batteries in quartz watches or messing with cheaper watches.