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French Watchmaker's Tool?

Private Lugnutz

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I'm speculating - based on the manufacturer's name (Lucien Hugoniot-Tissot), the lion logo, and the pins, which look like they might be for holding gears, perhaps - that this is for watchmaking. If anyone knows more, please chime in.

The "ACIER FONDU" marking means "CAST STEEL."
 

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steaks&anvils

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Looks like a fancy tool to make the holes in your leather watch band. :beer:

edit: there are lots of web references to it being for pins, springs etc, I agree with your description of use.

But I still think it would be like the french to have an over complicated tool to make holes in the band.
 
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steaks&anvils

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Here it is on my fin de siecle jeweler's bench, just for context. :pimpflash
I have always coveted your old bench and that vise. That was a great save and perfect how you preserved it as is.

I never thought I'd get a jewelers bench, just too much money for me to spend when my homemade work tabIe/bench was fine. Then I did find a modern jewelers bench at the thrift, $39, saved $500 on it... Appeared unused too!
 

steaks&anvils

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This is from the British Museum site:


Lucien Hugoniot-Tissot
primary name: Hugoniot-Tissot, Lucien
Details: organisation; goldsmith/metalworker; French
Other: dates 1850-1930 (active)
Address: Montécheroux, France
Biography: Manufacturer of specialist horological tools.
Trademarks used: Crown, Lion (passant, looking over shoulder), Cockeral and letter L.H.T.
 
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Private Lugnutz

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But I still think it would be like the french to have an over complicated tool to make holes in the band.
Haha. Agreed, it would. But, the stop screw and all the other adjustment possibilities on the jaws, the inserts, and the pins imply something more sophisticated. I just don't know what, exactly.
Then I did find a modern jewelers bench at the thrift, $39, saved $500 on it... Appeared unused too!
Congrats.
 

steaks&anvils

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steaks&anvils

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Stuart in MN

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I have always coveted your old bench and that vise. That was a great save and perfect how you preserved it as is.

I never thought I'd get a jewelers bench, just too much money for me to spend when my homemade work tabIe/bench was fine. Then I did find a modern jewelers bench at the thrift, $39, saved $500 on it... Appeared unused too!
Anyone remember Timothy Wilmots? He's a Belgian fellow who builds gorgeous watchmaker and goldsmith benches. Ryan posted about his work some years back, and he briefly checked in here. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/timothy-wilmots.383026/
 
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steaks&anvils

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Anyone remember Timothy Wilmots? He's a Belgian fellow who builds gorgeous watchmaker and goldsmith benches. Ryan posted about his work some years back, and he briefly checked in here. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/timothy-wilmots.383026/
Thanks Stuart, I read that thread and visited his website. He does beautiful work, true master craftsman.

It certainly wouldn't take long for the nice top on those benches to get a real patina on them. The benches would of course last a life time...

To keep this thread sort of on subject. While searching for Lugz's pliers, I came across many examples of Lucien Hugoniot-Tissot tools. These vintage tools are beautifully made too. It is refreshing to see quality old tools and quality new benches in the same thread, rekindles the faith that good craftsmanship still exists in the world. That people care to make, use and own tools that will last for generations.
 

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RTM

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RTM, that is a great catalog. Thank you!

They still make some of those tools today, hardly even any change to the design! I even have a few!
Thanks. I have a hard copy of a similar one, it’s great fun to flip through to be prepared for whatzit time. I have a few watchmakers tools, just cuz they’re great for working on small things, and tools alphabetically, what a concept!
 
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Private Lugnutz

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Anyone remember Timothy Wilmots? He's a Belgian fellow who builds gorgeous watchmaker and goldsmith benches. Ryan posted about his work some years back, and he briefly checked in here. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/timothy-wilmots.383026/
I had not seen that before. Very cool. One neat thing for me in looking at modern jeweler's benches is how certain design features remain the same. A ledge or ledges in the back to keep tools and other materials handy, raised edges on the sides to keep the work in front of you, and pull-out basins to catch droppings. Mine are made of tin, and I read they did that so that the jewelers could hear the "tink" when something dropped inside. Since it's been referred to so many times, I will link my antique bench thread here.
While searching for Lugz's pliers, I came across many examples of Lucien Hugoniot-Tissot tools. These vintage tools are beautifully made too...
I'm glad you posted those. I found very similar pliers a few years ago. They are unmarked, but it's good to know they are possibly manufactured by L. HUGONIOT-TISSOT, and if not, at least from within the same industry and tradition. The tolerance on those handle yokes or rings is very tight. It requires some force to get them off and also back on.
 

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steaks&anvils

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I had not seen that before. Very cool. One neat thing for me in looking at modern jeweler's benches is how certain design features remain the same. A ledge or ledges in the back to keep tools and other materials handy, raised edges on the sides to keep the work in front of you, and pull-out basins to catch droppings. Mine are made of tin, and I read they did that so that the jewelers could hear the "tink" when something dropped inside. Since it's been referred to so many times, I will link my antique bench thread here.

I'm glad you posted those. I found very similar pliers a few years ago. They are unmarked, but it's good to know they are possibly manufactured by L. HUGONIOT-TISSOT, and if not, at least from within the same industry and tradition. The tolerance on those handle yokes or rings is very tight. It requires some force to get them off and also back on.
Yeah, as with so many tools, form follows function and the tools have not really changed for centuries.

I don't think that in use, you are ever actually supposed to remove the rings... Yes, watch making tools, but as with so many tools, many manufacturers made them. The little detail of the handle leaf spring being dovetailed into the handle vs riveted or spot welded. Hell new pliers use the plastic handle covers to hold the springs.

I follow a french jewelers forum and they discuss the work bench extensively. They have very narrow views of what features a work bench should have. The drawer tray is a definite no no, they prefer a suspended skin for that. A drawer encourages the use of it to hold tools and that allows a dropped stone to hit the tool and possible chip/break. They would value the craftsmanship of the Timothy Wilmots bench, but then lament the tray to catch the "lemel" (waste/filings etc). The trays are "american style"...

fyi, I like a tray, however I also have never used a "skin".
 
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Private Lugnutz

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I don't think that in use, you are ever actually supposed to remove the rings...
No, and there's no need to if you slide them up toward the pivot. I know nothing about them beyond what's implied/intuitive. The ring will hold the jaws - and whatever they're grasping, in place, once the ring is set like a tensioner. Like a hand vise. Which is how I use them. I'm guessing that's the intent.
 
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Private Lugnutz

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I found another ACIER FONDU ("CAST STEEL") tool for the Lucien Hugoniot-Tissot watchmakers' collection at the flea market this morning, this time a hand vise. It's missing the spring mechanism and the retaining ring, which I am going to fab or improvise.

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tarbellb

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I knew GJ would have something about this vintage French watchmakers tools- HUGONIOT TISSOT

Stopped by a estate sale last weekend, found these in the random pile of tools. Immediately noticed the weight and quality of these pliers.
That and the Made in France pushed me to scoop these up, for a song at that.

Looks to be a Bow Opening set of pliers, in excellent condition

PXL_20220809_010941664.jpgPXL_20220809_010926948.jpgPXL_20220809_010759942.jpg
 
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Private Lugnutz

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I found these box joint flat tips at the flea this morning. We don't have a general pliers thread, and "HAMMEL RIGLANDER & CO.," an importer located in NYC as early as 1909, is too obscure to have its own thread, so I am going with the "FRANCE" marking and leaving them here. Extremely well-made. I didn't get a shot of the jaws, but they have a mild knurling.
 

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