Bergeon 7825 killer - Mini Review!

[Gibraltar]

I decided it was time to try the rubber strap on my trusty Pelagos, and knowing the reputation of this bracelet I started researching springbar tools.

My usual go-to is my Bergeon 6262, which has served me faithfully for years but clearly isn't up to the task.

The two tools that are most often recommended are the Bergeon 7825 tweezers (~$150) and the Horofix springbar pliers (~$90). The consensus seems to be that the 7825 is superior, so I planned on picking these up.

I had some free time this Saturday afternoon, so I headed over to my friendly neighborhood watchmaking supply shop, Nam Hing Watch Material & Tools. These guys are the real deal, they mostly serve the professional watchmaking community in HK. No Chinese discount tools here, only the good stuff from Bergeon, Horotec, etc.

I asked for the 7825 and they brought one out for me. Out of curiosity I asked if they could suggest any better alternatives, and the owner smiled and asked me to wait a minute. He came back with this:




He popped open the little box and this was inside:



It turns out they manufacture their own tool in Hong Kong.

It's not cheap, costing around $125, so price-wise it sits between the other two tools. He showed me how it works, having a couple of advantages over the other tools, and I was sold!

The design is quite novel so I thought the folks here might enjoy a mini-review


Overview

The body of the tool is manufactured from anodized aluminum. On one end is a pair of replaceable stainless steel springbar tips, and on the other is a pair of plastic projections. There is a spring in the main body of the tool which forces the two sides apart. The maximum width can be adjusted with the screw knob on the side.




As you might have guessed, the end with the springbar tips is used to remove the bracelet, and by flipping over the tool the plastic projections can be used to easily compress the springbar when re-attaching the bracelet.




Build Quality

Manufacturing tolerances are tight. Sharp edges and corners are slightly beveled. The anodizing is not the thickest, but is silky to the touch and has excellent consistency.

Both the springbar tips and plastic 'tweezers' are replaceable and secured with hex bolts. There is a small amount of play between the two halves, so the action is best when squeezing near the center of the tool. Squeezing too far off center can cause binding.

The steel springbar tips are as far as I can tell unique to this tool, and have a nice frosted finish. The tips themselves are the perfect size for Rolex/Tudor and have a geometry very similar to the 7825.






Usage

I used the tool to remove the bracelet on my Pelagos. I started by adjusting the screw so that the width of the tips matched the springbar perfectly. The tool supports springbars up to approximately 24 mm wide, an can support wider straps if the tips are moved to the outside of the body. This adjustment made it simple to avoid scratching the lugs/end-links. The design of the tool makes it very easy to insert the tips while avoiding contact with the bracelet.





I applied a bit of downward pressure and squeezed, and the bracelet popped off with ease. The whole process probably took 10 seconds and couldn't have been easier.



Using the opposite end to re-attach the bracelet took a bit more effort since the bottoms of the lugs are slightly concave and the plastic tips on the tool couldn't sit perfectly flush. I found it easier to squeeze the springbar and slide the end link in from the tips of the lugs rather than the bottoms. The tool compresses the springbars perfectly flush with the edge of the bracelet so it can slide in easily without scratching the lugs.




Conclusion

This is a clever alternative to the Swiss tools on the market and offers several advantages. The tips remain perfectly perpendicular throughout the motion rather than on a slightly variable angle with the tweezer-type tools. It also allows adjustment of the maximum tip width and provides the plastic tips for re-attaching the bracelet.

Overall I think it's a very nice effort from Nam Hing!

[envuks]

I’ve review. Thank you for doing this. I’ve also been evaluating spring bar tools, but haven’t pulled the trigger on a set yet. I just have a single ended tool that I only use on my breitling, doing one side at a time.

One question about your tool, when re-attaching the bracelet, are the springbars compressed until they line up with the case holes or are you just sliding them around (non-compressed) inside the lugs until the find the holes. If it’s the latter, I’d expect scratching on the inside of the lugs next time the bracelet is removed which isn’t desirable. Based on the use of the flat tips on this tool, that’s what seems to be occurring, but I’m not sure if I’m misinterpreting.

If it were me, I’d use the same end of the tool to reattach the bracelet as was used to take it off and keep the springbars compressed until they’re over the case holes (or as closely as possible)

[Gibraltar]

Originally Posted by envuks

One question about your tool, when re-attaching the bracelet, are the springbars compressed until they line up with the case holes or are you just sliding them around (non-compressed) inside the lugs until the find the holes. If it’s the latter, I’d expect scratching on the inside of the lugs next time the bracelet is removed which isn’t desirable. Based on the use of the flat tips on this tool, that’s what seems to be occurring, but I’m not sure if I’m misinterpreting.

You're right, the bars are only compressed until they pass from the tool to the lugs. Whether that scratches or not likely depends on the profile of the bar tips and the material of the watch. Most of my bars have rounded ends that seem pretty gentle on the lugs.

I should try your suggestion of using the metal tips when replacing the bracelet as well. You need to apply some downward force to compress the bar so it's possible there could be some marking on the bottoms of the lugs.

[Burlington]

Nice little tool, thanks for sharing. Great pics as well !

[gt0279a]

Seems to be similar process to using the 7825 style tweezers.

Bracelet removal is a cinch, the trick is reattaching it. As you mentioned, it is a bit easier to accomplish inserting the end link from the end of the lug vs the bottom.

All in all, a nice alternative. The only disadvantage might be the bulk of the tool for travel vs the much smaller tweezers.

[sensui]

Wow...hot tool....I hate the tweezers myself actually.

[Xyza0722]

Nice review....think I’ll go there and get me one of those!

[Cacam]

Don't find it on their website?

[Gibraltar]

Originally Posted by Cacam

Don't find it on their website?

Their website seems to be more a preview of what they sell rather than an actual e-commerce site. I'm sure they help if you drop them an email.

[horonet17]

Nice review and demo pics, thank you!

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[brandrea]

Very cool, thanks for posting this. How much did this cost, if you don’t mind me asking ?

[Gibraltar]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Very cool, thanks for posting this. How much did this cost, if you don’t mind me asking ?

I paid 980 HKD, which translates to around 125 USD.

[svevern]

It seems like their webpage is down, does anyone have their email address?

[Gibraltar]

Originally Posted by svevern

It seems like their webpage is down, does anyone have their email address?

You're right, it was working yesterday but seems to be down now. I wonder if all the TRF members visited and used up all their bandwidth allocation

I don't actually have their email but I'm sure the site will be back soon.

[Gibraltar]

Originally Posted by svevern

It seems like their webpage is down, does anyone have their email address?

Found it: contactus@nam-hing.com

[phm14]

Tried that email, & it bounced. I wouldn't mind trying one out, but I'm not really having any trouble using my standard Bergeon stick type tool.

[Gwatch555]

Thanks very much for the post. has been very helpful. I don't regret joining this forum at all

[jaisonline]

Great review.

Awesome looking tool. Would love to try it.

[Jster]

Clap, Clap, Clap. Great review and such vivid pictures! Well done. Thanks.

[strafer_kid]

Certainly looks like a very useful piece of kit!

[Cacam]

Has anyone ordered it? Can't get in contact with them..

[jdb0]

Wanted to bump this thread as I went into Nam Hing today to pick up one of these.

Helpful guys in the shop, happy to demo and discuss how it worked. They asked how I knew to ask about the tool and seemed pretty happy when I showed them this thread.

Price doesn't seem to have changed in almost 3 years, I paid 980 HKD (~125 USD).

On my receipt the tool is described as FH338. They also provided a little photo card with a QR code that takes you a YouTube video (watch?v=_sZIDILYUK0) that demos how the tool is used.

Hope this helps those who aren't able to go see it in person.

[ILuvSubs]

This is the first time I've come across this tool. After watching the video clip and reading this thread, I'll have to try and get one too! Looks like a great alternative to the 7825.

Thanks for bumping it!

[jhew]

excellent review and your photos are very good too. Too bad i'm not staying in HK.

[CKizzy]

This is NOT on there website for sale?

[jdb0]

I can’t find it on the website and it’s not on display in the physical shop. Seems you have to know to ask.

[GJ5323]

Thanks for this review! I'll have to get one if I'm ever in HK.

[Ricky59]

Esslinger now carries the Nam Hing spring bar removal tool.

They confirmed it was purchased from Nam Hing, Item FM338.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Ricky59

Esslinger now carries the Nam Hing spring bar removal tool.

They confirmed it was purchased from Nam Hing, Item FM338.

Have a link? I see this different sku which is out of stock.

https://www.esslinger.com/premium-sp...-removal-tool/

[EEpro]

Bump.

Back in stock. Limited availability

https://www.esslinger.com/premium-sp...emoval-tool/##