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Anyone curious about Chinese Horology tools?

say10

some are addicted to drugs, not me. Watches.
2/4/10
22
19
3
Salt Lake City, Utah
I’m a watchmaker who got started here… maybe that’s a reflection on my ethics but no fucks given, I want to get the best possible value for the lowest amount given. I’ve been very pleased with the majority of what I’ve bought. Ive sampled the primary tools that are needed daily (case openers, bezel splitter, crystal press, water resistance tester, jewling tools and staking) Just the more pro levels.
question: would my opinion be of interest?
what about cleaning?
?
 

Feefo

CEO, Vaselume (TM) Corporation
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Very interested. If you posted the links to low budget quality tools it would be awesome.
 
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Jossé

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The fjords
I’m absolutely interested in your opinions! There’s way too much to choose from out there 😅
 
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Jackster

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I reckon some cheap chinese tools you can get away with... you've got to use your brain to pick out the right ones, for instance cheap chinese screw drivers and tweezers are a no go... cheap metal that isn't strong and bends/ blunts etc.. Something like a movement holder that is fairly basic can work but stilll a more expensive option would be better... a simple bezel remover or a tool that is not used too often could be a cheap version... in the end quality always wins!
 

Karbon74

Pika Factory
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I have started with cheap AliX tools. They serve well when you are starting out and don’t know what you need. For simple mods they are enough.

But at one time they become a limiting factor. Anywhere you need strict tolerance and high tensile strength for precision, then they are not good

And now in the process of replacing them with Bergeon Horotec or Beco
 

Stretch242

Active Member
24/12/14
264
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I'm sure somewhere on here a user listed the tools they first purchased when starting out. If I find it I'll post a link unless someone else finds it first.
 

ap9791

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If you want a quality set of screwdrivers for a budget price, Kwon Yuen are an upper tier quality Chinese brand with higher quality screwdriver tips using goods quality alloy steel. I would rate them almost to the quality of horotec and bergeon and a full 10 screwdriver set with all the sizes you could need for around £30 is an absolute bargain. You can also buy them individually if you just want the main Rolex sizes.

 

matrixxu

Getting To Know The Place
28/12/22
55
186
33
Romania
I have a set of Kwon Yuen and i am very happy with them.
Even asked another pro watchmaker to take a look and try them out and considers them great value/quality.
He still prefers older sets , and considers current Bergeon quality to be low / on par with the Kwon.
 
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Stretch242

Active Member
24/12/14
264
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UK

As promised hope this helps
 
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say10

some are addicted to drugs, not me. Watches.
2/4/10
22
19
3
Salt Lake City, Utah
Very interested. If you posted the links to low budget quality tools it would be awesome.
I will do that! Glad to see some interest. Apologies for the delay…

I’ve clearly dropped the professional persona, while I might dismissive of ip laws, otherwise a tad irreverent there’s one thing I’ll never drop and that’s my work quality. I confidently use these tools on friends, family and my customers treasured watch. While I use these “no name” clones, when it comes to the consumables like oils and Lume paint I only use the top quality.

———

Let’s start by pissing off some Swiss fanbois,

China, let’s remember they stamp, print, build and box nearly all of Apples phones (yeah and they also outsource to other nations, let’s give a nod to Vietnam and Indonesi). I don’t remember anyone bitching about lose tolerances. Of course garbage is just as possible. I mention all that not because I dig me some Mao but who do you think makes the stuff peddled by Horotec and Bergeon? China.

Heresy!
Just think for a moment… Aren’t these copies or near copies shockingly similar to those Swiss brands costing literally 10 times more? There’s more than than flattery here, and when I measured end play and shake… I was pleased. Very pleased.

Lastly, it might say “Swiss” but where do those components come from?
The last point is the mo interesting part of all this. I’m certain these are made in the same factory as the original. It’s too similar and absolutely a huge problem over there (for the rights holders). But why pass an incredible opportunity? I say let the massive corporations weep while you and I benefit.

Buy carefully, scrutinize the seller. Have they been around for a while? Dogshit vendors will reincarnate once their feedback gets frosty.


Kwon Yuen is a top seller on Aliexpress. someone said “unlike the west, it’s the seller who’s most important, not the brand.”
Other sellers who’ve yet to send me dogshit,
HYC Watch Repair Tools Store
Shop-Win In Time Store

Dogshit store: GOLDSMITH Store. don’t know why but recently stuff from them is problematic..

Onto my favorite toys,

This is a $200 case opener… Or a $2,000 if you’re Horotec. This comes with a screw press that I’ll proably never use.

5700 Watch repair tool opening and capping four-purpose multi-function bottom and capping machine pry cover rotary press
S011b72c9fae8428082aebafc4dd90820Q.jpg


Boy something about the name reminds me of something… DAMN is that a Bergeon product number for their $1,200 flagship crystal press? Yup, that’s next. I chucked those cheap plastic dies into the trash immediately. Their awful and so cheap it’s embarrassing.


$193 vs $2,000 with the extras. I love the dies and I’ll get there.

6173 Watch Press Tool ($116 with dogshit dies who’ll molest your dog or $148 with polite dies You can leave your wife with.
Otherwise known as Bergeon 6173 - Heavy Duty Press
This was my first purchase of something at this caliber. It wasn’t an easy decision and took some research to take the leap. If Id gotten the fk’ing winders (more on that late) instead of this I’d have different equipment and certainly wouldn’t be writing this.

I’m about as absolutely certain this coming from the same factory as Bergeon‘s as possible. I’m stunned it’s as cheap as it is. I really don’t know how it’s economically possible to make a decent profit at the price, power of choice labor? Everything is top quality and the dies… trash. I’d rather they just not include them.

S240afcac6adb45a7a2c4f343e88b1f44v.jpg


This i similar to what I got. I’m not really pleased with the seller about a different item so no link, yeah? I don’t know why you’d need a micrometer when the nut is good…

Link to the “Gen”

That’s 8X!

Watch Repair Screwdriver Organizer and Grease Oil Cup Stand.

$50

I love this thing. If it said Bergeon I’d have to love it .. 5x more? You can look it up, this is long enough.

S92688c9dc6e04f17bd750c81aba8a50fj.jpg

The red cup was loose, that’s the only complaint.
It’s functional and looks great. Helps tame the work space.



These tweezers are my favorite… hands down. Incredible feel, amazing.… and $12-27 depending on who you buy from. Note the 27 stamp… I have 2 pairs from Kwon Yon and HYC, dif price, exact same pa.
Sbbd6609545484e6c93b1c7ea79283069d.jpg





If there’s enough interest I’ll next add crystal and caseback dies… and some fancy watch hand tools… water resistance test..

Thought?
 

say10

some are addicted to drugs, not me. Watches.
2/4/10
22
19
3
Salt Lake City, Utah
If you want a quality set of screwdrivers for a budget price, Kwon Yuen
I mentor a few young people and I gave them these for their own. I agree, they are very good and the barrel is decent as well. It’s all about maintenance.
 

Karbon74

Pika Factory
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Here is my contribution

A copy of the Bergeon 6767 bracelet tool
I just found this on AliExpress: 13,89€ | 316L Stainless Steel China Made 6767-F Watch Spring Bar Removal Tool with 1.4mm 1.2mm 0.8mm Tip

This is really nice to use. Much better than the shit disposable tools that come with parts you buy on AliX

I don’t know how they compare with the real thing but they have been great for me. The steel is superb and the finish is good. No bracelet has ever resisted it
 
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say10

some are addicted to drugs, not me. Watches.
2/4/10
22
19
3
Salt Lake City, Utah
Here is my contribution

A copy of the Bergeon 6767 bracelet tool
I just found this on AliExpress: 13,89€ | 316L Stainless Steel China Made 6767-F Watch Spring Bar Removal Tool with 1.4mm 1.2mm 0.8mm Tip

This is really nice to use. Much better than the shit disposable tools that come with parts you buy on AliX

I don’t know how they compare with the real thing but they have been great for me. The steel is superb and the finish is good. No bracelet has ever resisted it
These are great, and you can get genuine tips when they start getting worn. It’s amazing how great tools make life easier…
 
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say10

some are addicted to drugs, not me. Watches.
2/4/10
22
19
3
Salt Lake City, Utah
Sweet, I can't edit my previous post.

Boxwood Tweezers -- Bergeon 6571 ($80 vs $12)
Brass and Bronze tweezers are fantastic when working with metal bits you don't want scratched - but what about handling a dial and other very sensitive parts? For that, boxwood tips are great. I like these enough to have an ordered a second pair. I find the tips to get a bit sloppy where the tips will move out of alignment and need tightening frequently. The tips also get worn down and damaged and require a frequent dressing. Make sure the tips are really tight before starting... lol, yeah - that's important.
S31f07cfb01884aa885d48c5bf5e56627L.jpg


vs

Red Deep Dish Dies -- $50
These are very good considering the quality. The outside edge is hard Delrin and the correct bevel for pressing those tension rings. I have zero complaints.

Watchman Dies (6 dies, 12 sizes) $30
(The middle box)
These double sided dies are excellent pressing sapphire and serving as a caseback (use a cloth or polyamide plastic to protect).

Far right - Needs a new home. Aluminum dies with delrin on outside edge ($23)
Ordered not paying attention and have 2 sets of these.
HTB1K4bNKXXXXXcuXVXXq6xXFXXXT.jpg

Note: If anyone out there has a need for some dies, they are free for the cost of shipping.

 
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oh_chesteroni

Do not accept unsolicited offers
15/2/25
4
1
3
Following.

Exactly what I was looking for. Appreciate the insight from someone who has experience with these tools.

Do you suspect, for example with the 5700 (without the screw press), that there are differences in quality depending on the seller it is purchased from? My tendency would be to go for the cheapest option + shipping, but every seller uses the same sets of photos so I’m left in indecision between less expensive and more expensive 5700s, all of which have the same product photos.
 

gindiesel

Active Member
12/10/20
227
141
43
Canada
What's the tool recommendation for changing the pins on my slightly stretched gen Jubilee? I am handy, and the parts don't scare me. I have a basic set for casebacks, springbars, etc.
 

bavarex

Omega collector/watchmaking
3/4/21
156
185
43
EU / CAN
Kwon Yuen is pretty good. Its not really cheap, but you get high quality without spending a fortune on tools.
Actually they copy any Bergeon tool, even with the same order numbers.

Don't buy ultra cheap. Even chinese tools cost some bucks if they are made well.

this store has some interesting tools some might use: