Community Stories

Which watch tool would you buy for spring bars? pliers or tweezers

P
Posts
27
Likes
3
Currently own a standard spring bar tool, but im trying to keep my modern and vintage omegas with out scratches as much as possible for bracelet changes and those rubber straps.

I'm debating between the Bergeon 7825 (tweezers) or the Bergeon 6825 (mechanical pliers).

Price isn't the issue, it's $100 different here in Toronto.

I'm more or less wanting to get your opinion on which one is more useful.

I've read that the replacement heads for the tweezers are quite a bit more than the replacement heads for the pliers. I've heard some people buy the horotec pliers or an off brand and buy the bergeon tips for cost savings.

Any suggestions and opinions would be great.
 
P
Posts
27
Likes
3
gbesq gbesq
Straps with quick release spring bars. 馃榿
I wish omega did this, they teased it in one of their seamasters at 2020 olympics and never followed through. Why even show that, so dumb.
 
gbesq
Posts
9,134
Likes
47,959
Take a look at Artisan Straps from Australia. They have a really nice selection of ready made straps and they all come with quick release spring bars. They also do beautiful custom work and you can order quick release spring bars with anything they make. The quality is superb and far less expensive than Omega.
 
mseamaster
Posts
457
Likes
151
gbesq gbesq
Straps with quick release spring bars. 馃榿
Can quick release bars be used with metal bracelets though? Otherwise you would still need tools. I love straps with quick release though.

It makes me wonder.. if in theory I had just one strap and just rotated watches everyday.. would I eventually wear out their lugs.
 
P
Posts
27
Likes
3
gbesq gbesq
Take a look at Artisan Straps from Australia. They have a really nice selection of ready made straps and they all come with quick release spring bars. They also do beautiful custom work and you can order quick release spring bars with anything they make. The quality is superb and far less expensive than Omega.
Appreciate the suggestion. I鈥檓 a sucker for OEM equipment so I鈥檝e got ahold of some stuff from omega already. But I will check out their site. Unfortuantely I have to solve to problem of a better tool so I don鈥檛 leave marks on my watches.

also all my stuff is on deployant so hopefully artisan does those too
 
redpcar
Posts
3,988
Likes
8,903
Different spring bars, different straps/bracelets, different watch cases = different tools. Get them all 馃榾
 
Evitzee
Posts
7,049
Likes
13,156
P Pikachu
Appreciate the suggestion. I鈥檓 a sucker for OEM equipment so I鈥檝e got ahold of some stuff from omega already. But I will check out their site. Unfortuantely I have to solve to problem of a better tool so I don鈥檛 leave marks on my watches.

also all my stuff is on deployant so hopefully artisan does those too
There is no tool that will guarantee no marks on the case lugs, ultimately it depends on the confidence and skill of the man wielding the tool. A Bergeon 6767-F is a good tool and will do the job well if used skillfully.
 
hen
Posts
2,402
Likes
6,698
I made a spring bar tool from bronze brazing rod, it wont scratch stainless steel.
 
ACC1965
Posts
214
Likes
449
hen hen
I made a spring bar tool from bronze brazing rod, it wont scratch stainless steel.
I鈥檒l accept that challenge.
 
NT931
Posts
2,884
Likes
14,765
mseamaster mseamaster
Can quick release bars be used with metal bracelets though? Otherwise you would still need tools.

Yes , certain specially designed bracelets (eg. Christopher Ward, Tissot, Baltic) have quick release mechanisms (using special springbars?).

Sample from Baltic
upload_2024-8-15_22-46-21.jpeg


As for tools: I use a springbar tool for most straps and bracelets, but for certain Rolex bracelets, tweezers are much easier for those.
 
josiahg52
Posts
1,189
Likes
2,231
Bergeon 6767. Used properly, you shouldn't mark up the watch. Of course, you have to be careful. My technique has improved over the years and I have no qualms about changing bracelets or straps. I cannot get behind QR bars and on the rare occasion I choose to wear a strap, I'll swap in proper bars before installation and wear. I've tried the pliers and they're just not as universal as the simple spring bar tool. Probably a matter of tool quality and experience.
 
mseamaster
Posts
457
Likes
151
hen hen
I made a spring bar tool from bronze brazing rod, it wont scratch stainless steel.
Is such a tool sold anywhere? What are the cons vs an SS tool?
 
josiahg52
Posts
1,189
Likes
2,231
mseamaster mseamaster
Is such a tool sold anywhere? What are the cons vs an SS tool?

If it were to slip, much less likely to scratch the watch. My experience, however, is that it's when you apply pressure to the spring bar prior to compressible it, the bar is pressed against the back of the lug and scratches it. I use the tool to compress the bar and then lever it in position. No scratches. The inside of the lugs gets some marks sometimes but the backs stays clean.
 
hen
Posts
2,402
Likes
6,698
ACC1965 ACC1965
I鈥檒l accept that challenge.

Its quite easy. I used a 2mm brazing rod that I filed to the right shape, I then glued it in a wooden handle. I posted a picture of it some time ago.

mseamaster mseamaster
Is such a tool sold anywhere? What are the cons vs an SS tool?

I havent seen any. The cons may be that its softer than steel and may deform, but that is also the pro, It wont scratch steel. I think that if I deform the tool in any way I am using way too much force.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

A

Hole size for spring bars

Al Bundy Open Discussion
BlackTalon
BlackTalon
Posts
3
Views
856