I came across this article: https://millenarywatches.com/best-watch-spring-bar-tools/
I own an inexpensive straightforward tool and have about a 33% success rate, the other 67% of the time I give up and end up paying a few dollars to a small local watch repairer to do it for me
If I am being honest, I have very little faith in my "handiness" and therefore tend to be overly cautious about damaging lugs or straps.
Is there a tool out there designed for guys like me that makes the whole process idiot-proof?
Thanks

 

I own a Bergeon 6767 with both S and F tips. It's good enough for hobbyist use. I know there are plastic tools and plastic coated tools but I cannot vouch for them since I have never used one. Are you sure you're using your tool properly? Maybe get a watch holder?

How cheap is your tool? I hope it's not a crappy free Chinese tool included with cheap straps. Those are horrible.

As for damaging lugs I really cannot see how that is possible. A small scratch here or there might happen but that's just how it is, if you are not careful. So far, the worst I've had happen to me was a springbar flying across the room
Regarding straps, If you use the S tip or any wide tip similar to that, again, I don't see how damage could occur. You could use quick release springbars but I wouldn't trust them.

Maybe you are overthinking the whole thing?

 

Have you tried this?

 

Aside from dental floss, I suggest just practicing a bit. If you have one of the Bergeon tools with fine tip, just sit down with a cheap watch and repeat the process a dozen times. You will be surprised how much dexterity you will develop pretty quickly. If you have a low power loupe or magnifying visor, you might try using that so you can get a good look at the tip of the tool as you proceed. Once you have some experience, you won't need the magnification, but at first it's nice to see what you are doing.

 

That is brilliant!
See this thread for what happens to your spring bar after using that technique.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/can-you-empathize.123306/

 

+1 for getting the Bergeon 6767 and practicing a few times.

 

The good news is that spring-bars are expendable. So you can just do it in @Mad Dog's driveway.

 

FB-504 on this page...

http://www.ofrei.com/page252.html

Though honestly I bought the Bergeon version a bit farther down.

 

Honestly, and I am sorry to say this, but the floss doesn't work or assist with the freakin' Omega bracelets. Some one, any one, in the Swiss watch industry (specifically a company like SWATCH) needs to look @ what Apple is doing with their straps and bracelets for the Apple watch. Love them or hate them, they execute this area in a way that NEEDS to be emulated by the Swiss Big Boys. Hell, I'd even love it if the damn watch had lug holes. I could live with that asthetic, but the PAIN in changing an Omega bracelet can be hellish and I have the good tools and have changed a litany of bracelets over the years..

 

Omega spring bars make all the difference.

 

Yes, bracelets with tight tolerances are a different topic entirely; much more difficult. There are several threads on this topic if you search. Some good tips there.

I think that this post was more basic, how to change ordinary straps. FWIW, I don't use dental floss for straps either, but I find that video entertaining, and it probably works for a leather strap.

 

Bergeon 7825 for removing spring bars.

Bergeon 6767-F for replacing spring bars.

 

I had one and it annoyed me for two reasons: first, the tips kept unscrewing, second there was no pin tip.

 

Or just get a 6111 and you are set for both...

 

6111 vs 6767: pros/cons?

 

Unfortunately that hasn't been my experience Perhaps it's that my Omega Speedy BA Chrono GMT is 21mm...

 

my choice is the Bergeon 6111

 

I have the 6111 and it has worked well for me, here are some comments found on the interweb....

"Bergeon 6111 is obviously better. It has the same tip as 6767, but with the added big fork, which is fast/safe in changing straps. The big fork is for straps only, it's much better (safer/faster) than the small fork for straps"

"If working with leather straps, the 6111 is better as the larger flat fork works better on leather"

 

Thanks much.

 

I agree with this. Plus the tips are clamped in the 6111 and are only loosely fitted into the 6767, they always came loose on me with that tool.