Watchmaker screwdrivers
- Thread starter RichTes
- Start date
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I didn't want to spend bergeon money either, then got their spring bar tool and immediately understood the hype.
I'd buy a smaller set to get their stuff. Unless you are just changing batteries on timex/Casio, the higher quality stuff is worth it
I'd buy a smaller set to get their stuff. Unless you are just changing batteries on timex/Casio, the higher quality stuff is worth it
Bergeon is quality stuff, but oh man, the wallet's gonna hurt!
Take a look at MicroMart. They specialize in small tools, and I have their micro screw starters. Excellent and not much money.
micromark.com
Take a look at MicroMart. They specialize in small tools, and I have their micro screw starters. Excellent and not much money.
Screwdrivers & Nut Drivers | Micro Screwdrivers & Sets | Micro-Mark
Explore Micro-Mark's precision screwdrivers and nut drivers, ideal for hobbyists, modelers, and professionals seeking reliable tools for detailed work.
micromark.com
RTM
Well-known member
J.A.F.E.
Well-known member
Moody has some good offerings with several levels of quality from hobby to pro. Drivers, bits, handles and some other stuff most or all of it made in USA.
Craftsman also has decent ones but there's as good or better for the money IMO.
Craftsman also has decent ones but there's as good or better for the money IMO.
Nobody-named-Olli
Well-known member
Actual ‘work’ on a watch that has any kind of value? Bergeon!
Kind regards,
Olli
Kind regards,
Olli
Toolfool
Well-known member
starrett,
If I needed a decent small driver set and I didn’t need absolutely every possible size, I’d pick some version of Wera Kraftform Micro or a set of Wiha’s. For actual watches, it’s Bergeon. The gold standard. Anything else does feel like a step down. And Bergeon tweezers are really in a class of their own. Oh the Swiss precision. But $$$$$. Price has literally tripled since I bought them 2 decades ago. Horotec is okay. I used to be able to take apart and rebuild a standard ETA movement back in the day. I still keep my Bergeon tool set in case I need tiny drivers or to adjust a watch bracelets. I rarely grab the Bergeons them as the Wera Kraftform Micro screwdrivers pretty much cover almost all of my small needs. I think I destroyed a few of the pricey Bergeon tweezers doing things I’m not supposed to do with them
Last edited:
Aaron_W
Well-known member
Agree Micromark offers some good quality, cheaper small tools. Mostly Taiwan, Indian or Chinese but the upper end.
neophyte
Well-known member
Moody is US based and makes nice drivers.
The metal handled design is very similar to Starrett, but the Moody bits seemed better made than the Starrett ones I have, and Moody is usually Cheaper.
Facom/USAG also have nice metal ones that look very similar yo some of the Horotec drivers.
The metal handled design is very similar to Starrett, but the Moody bits seemed better made than the Starrett ones I have, and Moody is usually Cheaper.
Facom/USAG also have nice metal ones that look very similar yo some of the Horotec drivers.
HannibalLecter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2023
- Messages
- 400
Vessel
Agree. If you're working on heirloom grade watches then go with Bergeon. Sometimes you only get one chance to not screw up.Actual ‘work’ on a watch that has any kind of value? Bergeon!
Kind regards,
Olli
Is there any overlap with gunsmithing and electronics to be had here? I made a post last week asking about micro screwdrivers and honestly someday I’d like to get into watch stuff.
if I could buy one expensive set of something and have it work on multiple kinds of stuff it could be cheaper than buying three separate mid level tools and maybe higher quality overall?
but I would guess it’s just a subset like maybe micro flat head screwdrivers? Would be kind of neat honestly if I had some high end watch screwdrivers that did electronics and gunsmithing of small flat heads. But I know electronics got the anti static electricity handles sometimes.
i realize each speciality is a little different and I was spending 40 hours a week doing one thing I’d want the one specific to that field but if I’m using it a few times per year on electronics a few times per year on watches a few times per year on guns then maybe one with the highest quality tip can do it all or not really?
if I could buy one expensive set of something and have it work on multiple kinds of stuff it could be cheaper than buying three separate mid level tools and maybe higher quality overall?
but I would guess it’s just a subset like maybe micro flat head screwdrivers? Would be kind of neat honestly if I had some high end watch screwdrivers that did electronics and gunsmithing of small flat heads. But I know electronics got the anti static electricity handles sometimes.
i realize each speciality is a little different and I was spending 40 hours a week doing one thing I’d want the one specific to that field but if I’m using it a few times per year on electronics a few times per year on watches a few times per year on guns then maybe one with the highest quality tip can do it all or not really?
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I cant say I have ever needed a screwdriver for a gun that I also use on a watch. The sizes are all different, in my experience.
I also don't want a chance of grease, gun oils or dirt near my watches
HannibalLecter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2023
- Messages
- 400
If I wasn't interested in investing in bergeons vessel is what I'd use
NHtoolguy
Well-known member
I agree with the Starrett recommendation. I think it's a good "middle of the road" option. My Starrett set is great quality and offers replacement blades.
Toolfool
Well-known member
My first career was in camera repair. Ove the course of 10 years I trained about 50 technicians. Each one started out with a Radio Shack set of screwdrivers. If they showed enough ability after 30 days they would get a Starrett set, and stay on. Otherwise, they would get to keep their RS set and say goodbye.