Better screwdriver for link removal

[ReMember]

Will the horotec hollow ground blade fit in a Bergeon handle? Thanks in advance.

[037]

Originally Posted by ReMember

Will the horotec hollow ground blade fit in a Bergeon handle? Thanks in advance.

Yes, as long as the handle and blade size are the same on both.

[NKflyer]

Originally Posted by chrissimons

Do you know if they would be ok for a Tudor BB bracelet set up too ?

It won't work. The newer Tudor bracelets have 1.4mm screws.

[ReMember]

Originally Posted by ReMember

Will the horotec hollow ground blade fit in a Bergeon handle? Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by 037

Yes, as long as the handle and blade size are the same on both.

Thank you for the confirmation. I have a Bergeon with 1.60 blades that are not hollow ground. I’ll order their 1.60 blades.

[037]

Originally Posted by ReMember

Thank you for the confirmation. I have a Bergeon with 1.60 blades that are not hollow ground. I’ll order their 1.60 blades.

You're welcome. That will be a great combo.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by estorlie

Get yourself some sandpaper or a sharpening stone and reshape the blade. If the width is correct, making it the right thickness should be pretty easy.

Just want to lend some support to this.

As a professional watchmaker we find ourselves having to reshape blades for specific purposes. Every brand, calibre, case and bracelet can have slightly different thickness of screws. No sets (even from the usual suppliers to watch companies - Bergeon, horotec, VOH etc) come from the factory perfect.

So long story short - if you want to do what a watchmaker does; modify your own!

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by ReMember

Thank you for the confirmation. I have a Bergeon with 1.60 blades that are not hollow ground. I’ll order their 1.60 blades.

I forgot to mention in my previous post. I do not recommend using the commercially available hollow ground blades on a bracelet screw. They are made of hardened steel and are very prone to breaking when exerting high torque on them - this will be particularly true when using them on loctited link screws. They are better suited to movement screws where the force applied to them is much lower.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by NKflyer

Seriously, just get one of the copycat Panerai screwdrivers (1.6mm cut-out). They are priced around $15 all over ebay and amazon. And I personally like them better than the rolex 2100 anyway.

I much prefer the Panerai screwdriver to the Rolex one.

[Dishpro01]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

I forgot to mention in my previous post. I do not recommend using the commercially available hollow ground blades on a bracelet screw. They are made of hardened steel and are very prone to breaking when exerting high torque on them - this will be particularly true when using them on loctited link screws. They are better suited to movement screws where the force applied to them is much lower.

That is good to know. I am always damaging bracelet screws. This thread is very helpful.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Austex1604]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

I forgot to mention in my previous post. I do not recommend using the commercially available hollow ground blades on a bracelet screw. They are made of hardened steel and are very prone to breaking when exerting high torque on them - this will be particularly true when using them on loctited link screws. They are better suited to movement screws where the force applied to them is much lower.

What would you recommend for bracelet screws? Thanks!

[ReMember]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

I forgot to mention in my previous post. I do not recommend using the commercially available hollow ground blades on a bracelet screw. They are made of hardened steel and are very prone to breaking when exerting high torque on them - this will be particularly true when using them on loctited link screws. They are better suited to movement screws where the force applied to them is much lower.

Originally Posted by Dishpro01

That is good to know. I am always damaging bracelet screws. This thread is very helpful.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I believe he is referring to the screwdriver blades breaking rather than the bracelet screws.

[Austex1604]

Sorry i wasn’t clear. I was asking what kind of screwdriver would he recommend for bracelet screws? I’m about to invest in some new screwdrivers and don’t want to buy some that are going to be prone to breaking when working on bracelet links.

[c.rod]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

I forgot to mention in my previous post. I do not recommend using the commercially available hollow ground blades on a bracelet screw. They are made of hardened steel and are very prone to breaking when exerting high torque on them - this will be particularly true when using them on loctited link screws. They are better suited to movement screws where the force applied to them is much lower.

They do break easily. Found that out almost instantly.

So are you saying the best way for a “perfect” job is to use a sharpener like the horotec and make your own to fit each screw style? (Rolex etc.)

[Beckster]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I much prefer the Panerai screwdriver to the Rolex one.

Thanks Bas. Will try to get my hands on one soon.

[ReMember]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I much prefer the Panerai screwdriver to the Rolex one.

Where can we source this particular screwdriver?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by ReMember

Where can we source this particular screwdriver?

eBay, Amazon. Panerai hollow ground 1.6mm screwdriver.

It's better than the Rolex 2100 IMO, and I work in an RSC, so that should say something

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by c.rod

They do break easily. Found that out almost instantly.

So are you saying the best way for a “perfect” job is to use a sharpener like the horotec and make your own to fit each screw style? (Rolex etc.)

Absolutely. I use either a horotec sharpener for hollow grind or freehand sharpening using an India stone or a diamond lap and finish off with an Arkansas stone when I need a flat grind.

[Brew]

This thread is exactly why folks bring their watches to perceived professionals for adjustments.

[chrissimons]

Originally Posted by NKflyer

It won't work. The newer Tudor bracelets have 1.4mm screws.

Thanks I was searching for this info before ordering screwdriver, but I never had a confirmation from Tudor

[c.rod]

Originally Posted by Brew

This thread is exactly why folks bring their watches to perceived professionals for adjustments.

Key is “professionals” . LoL. There are very very few.

Working at a jewelry store does NOT constitute as being a professional.

Idc what kit they have, some people have no mechanical ability whatsoever

[Austex1604]

So should i be looking for hollow ground screwdrivers for regular watch bracelet work or will the French and Swiss drivers sold by O Frei be sufficient? My last drivers were terrible and the set screw won’t hold the driver blade in place. I’m looking at bergeon drivers now.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Austex1604

So should i be looking for hollow ground screwdrivers for regular watch bracelet work or will the French and Swiss drivers sold by O Frei be sufficient? My last drivers were terrible and the set screw won’t hold the driver blade in place. I’m looking at bergeon drivers now.

You can use either. The important thing to keep in mind is not to expect anything to be a perfect fit right out of the package. Be prepared to modify for the specific screw you are attending to. The same advice stands for watch branded tools (ie Rolex). Manufacturing tolerances and variations means you will have to modify a 'specific/specialised' tool as well.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by c.rod

Key is “professionals” . LoL. There are very very few.

Working at a jewelry store does NOT constitute as being a professional.

Idc what kit they have, some people have no mechanical ability whatsoever

Have to agree although quality tools play a big part, but it's mainly down to the person using the tool.You could have the finest screwdriver in the world, but its still down to how the person using the screwdriver unscrews the screw.

[Vicc]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

Really why would anyone feck around with grinding screwdrivers , get the Panerai screwdriver its the same size and quality as the Rolex one and a lot cheaper.

Cause I'm a watchmaker with tool-making capabilities? :p

[sheldonsmith]

And it matters with gold screws