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Old 5 September 2018, 03:35 AM   #1
nboyer
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Mainspring Winder

Hello Everyone. Can someone recommend a mainspring winder for a Rolex 1570 movement? Thanks. -Norm
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Old 5 September 2018, 06:29 AM   #2
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Winding it manually or wearing it might help. I would never buy a winder.
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Old 5 September 2018, 06:34 AM   #3
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Thanks. I’m looking for a mainspring winder for servicing the watch. Not a watch winder. Cheers! -Norm

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Winding it manually or wearing it might help. I would never buy a winder.
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Old 5 September 2018, 06:40 AM   #4
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Thanks. I’m looking for a mainspring winder for servicing the watch. Not a watch winder. Cheers! -Norm
One you'll need when placing the spring into the barrel? Bergeon has these sets, I suppose you can find a complete set on eBay.
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Old 5 September 2018, 06:52 AM   #5
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Mainspring Winder

Complete Bergeon sets are almost $900 - but you can get just the caliber 1530/1575 model from this source:
http://www.ofrei.com/mainspring-winders-for-rolex-.html


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Old 5 September 2018, 06:53 AM   #6
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Right! I just need the one for whichever size is in the 1520/1570 movement. Or, a generic winder that will fit the barrel. I don't need all 17 pieces of the Bergeon set. Cheers. -Norm

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One you'll need when placing the spring into the barrel? Bergeon has these sets, I suppose you can find a complete set on eBay.
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Old 5 September 2018, 06:57 AM   #7
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Thanks for the link, Paul, that's what I was looking for, though almost $200 does seem a little steep for one winder. I could buy a lot of mainsprings already coiled in a retaining disc for that price. Maybe I need to rethink if the winder is really worth it. Cheers. -Norm

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Complete Bergeon sets are almost $900 - but you can get just the caliber 1530/1575 model from this source:
http://www.ofrei.com/mainspring-winders-for-rolex-.html


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Old 5 September 2018, 07:01 AM   #8
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Mainspring Winder

If you think that’s steep - just imagine the investment a certified Rolex parts account holding watchmaker must make!

IIRC, the Rolex official mainspring winder set is well over $2000.




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Old 5 September 2018, 07:07 AM   #9
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Thanks for the link, Paul, that's what I was looking for, though almost $200 does seem a little steep for one winder. I could buy a lot of mainsprings already coiled in a retaining disc for that price. Maybe I need to rethink if the winder is really worth it. Cheers. -Norm


To be honest, that is what I’d recommend whether you’re doing maintenance for yourself or others. It is what Rolex does at the RSC.


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Old 5 September 2018, 07:15 AM   #10
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I hear you Paul. I've seen some of the tool prices on Bergeon equipment and it makes my head spin. Bergeon is a monopoly, albeit they do make quality stuff. I'd imagine that it would take several years of good business to recoup the costs from a professional watchmaker.

Admittedly, I am just an avid amateur who greatly enjoys and appreciates the art of watchmaking. My last service was on a 1969 Air-King. Very understated watch, but sometimes less is more. It's running at +1s per day. I don't think you can ask for better than that, especially from a 49 year old watch. Cheers! -Norm



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If you think that’s steep - just imagine the investment a certified Rolex parts account holding watchmaker must make!

IIRC, the Rolex official mainspring winder set is well over $2000.


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Old 5 September 2018, 09:24 AM   #11
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If you think that’s steep - just imagine the investment a certified Rolex parts account holding watchmaker must make!
~$100k in equipment.
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Old 5 September 2018, 09:33 AM   #12
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All I can say is - WOW! I did not realize that just equipment alone would be $100K.

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~$100k in equipment.
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Old 5 September 2018, 12:13 PM   #13
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~$100k in equipment.


Is that a figure you paid?
Or from a source?




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Old 5 September 2018, 12:55 PM   #14
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Is that a figure you paid?
Or from a source?
That's roughly what an AD needs to have in equipment for an in-house watchmaker with an active parts account here in the US. That's also roughly what an independent needs in equipment with an active Rolex parts account. Two sources minimum on that number.

By the time you add up all of the tools, supplies, ultrasonic cleaners, pressure testers, workspace and small parts to be kept on-hand, it's not a cheap path. That's not even counting lathes or gear cutters needed for an independent to make parts if they want to go the traditional route.
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Old 5 September 2018, 02:52 PM   #15
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Thanks for the link, Paul, that's what I was looking for, though almost $200 does seem a little steep for one winder. I could buy a lot of mainsprings already coiled in a retaining disc for that price. Maybe I need to rethink if the winder is really worth it. Cheers. -Norm
Yeah not worth it, I'd just buy the coiled mainspring, they come like that from Rolex too. Just don't let the spring get airborne, then you'll need the winder anyway (I've been there)
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Rolex uses rare elves to polish the platinum. They have a union deal and make like $90 per hour and get time and half on weekends.
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Old 5 September 2018, 09:03 PM   #16
nboyer
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Bas - I think we’ve all been there I know a couple got away from me when disassembling when I first started out. I bought a vintage set of wristwatch winders not long ago and as luck would have it, the largest in the set was just a bit too small. My pocket watch winders are too big cheers! -Norm

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Yeah not worth it, I'd just buy the coiled mainspring, they come like that from Rolex too. Just don't let the spring get airborne, then you'll need the winder anyway (I've been there)
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Old 12 September 2018, 02:05 PM   #17
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Yeah not worth it, I'd just buy the coiled mainspring, they come like that from Rolex too. Just don't let the spring get airborne, then you'll need the winder anyway (I've been there)
haha so true!

I actually like the control of putting in with a winder verses depressing from the package. Additionally, installing properly with a mainspring winder tool allows for more even displacement of the breaker grease on outside of the spring. I would recommend just spending it or looking for some good used Bergeon units from other watchmakers or online.
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Old 12 September 2018, 02:33 PM   #18
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haha so true!

I actually like the control of putting in with a winder verses depressing from the package. Additionally, installing properly with a mainspring winder tool allows for more even displacement of the breaker grease on outside of the spring. I would recommend just spending it or looking for some good used Bergeon units from other watchmakers or online.
We've got the set of course, but when I service a Rolex watch I'm generally not going to bother. I just take a complete new mainspring barrel which is lubricated and has the spring already in place.
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