Watch Case Opener Review, Bench Tool for Opening Case Backs

Unboxing, review, and demonstration of a watch case opener. Similar tools from Bergeon and Horotech cost $500-$1000, but this one was $120 so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did! #watchmaking #watchrepair #watchmodding #watchtools
Watch Case Opener: amzn.to/3XVGIhE
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0:00 Intro
3:37 Unboxing
6:58 Setup Options
9:22 Case Back Types
11:29 Using the Tool
13:12 Worth it?
14:45 Final Thoughts
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[@rezathenightfly]

I was dead set on purchasing a screwed-down case opener from Horotec, costing nearly $900.00+. However, after having watched your presentation in this video, I am now exploring more options priced more reasonably in comparison to the aforementioned Horotec. Thank you for an informative review, well done!

[@WatchComplications]

this thing works just fine, and I use it a lot. There's no reason something like this should cost what Horotec and Bergeon charge.

[@rezathenightfly]

@@WatchComplications Yes, I completely agree. The prices of almost anything of late, let alone that of commodities have become nothing short of extortionate.

[@DannyKaffee]

I own one like this. It's a good piece of gear and you cans save a ton of money over the Bergeon. I did upgrade with the attachments though. I bought Horotec attachments that fit this tool.

[@WatchComplications]

I use this tool quite a bit. It is perfectly suitable without breaking the bank. Plenty of other branded attachments fit, so that's a good option. You could even 3d-print custom tool ends for it and that is one thing I've done :)

[@haroldskelton979]

Very thorough and helpful. Thanks Brian!

[@WatchComplications]

glad you found the content helpful!

[@WristwatchMedic1953]

I have one similar to yours. Works just fine. Thanks for the review

[@WatchComplications]

cool. thanks for watching.

[@pipodorologio1648]

Happy to have most of my tools from Bergeon, bought used on vintage watch fairs, the quality is extremely good but this one looks impressive...

[@WatchComplications]

yeah, buying used if possible is a great approach, which I mentioned. I just can’t justify $900 for new when this is basically the same thing and works just as well. that’s not always the case with watch tools, but in this situation that’s where I landed.

[@Jedimaster36091]

Thanks for the review. Was having doubt about the quality, as one reviewer on Amazon was complaining about the poor fit and tolerances of the tool and that it was unusable. Your review convinced me to get one.

[@WatchComplications]

Never know what type of person is reviewing on Amazon, and I'm sure sometimes things don't arrive quite as expected. From my perspective, this one works just fine for the intended purpose at a fraction of the cost of the alternatives. Not always the case with such tools, but this time, yes.

[@gpraceman]

You do have to take Amazon reviews with a grain of salt. These cheaper Chinese tools will use less expensive metals and won't have the fit and finish level as the name brand tools, but are likely serviceable enough for a hobbyist's use. At least with Amazon, if you get a dud, returning is easy enough. I haven't yet gotten one of these tools but will at some point. My experience comes from other Chinese made budget tools.

[@dAzFivefoUr]

Been using the Bergeon 5700 for more than 50years, I rarely use those blocks as they are really meant to be used with a case pad that fits in the two holes in the centre of the base, also on some cases they won't work where the band is recessed into the car, basically just use the holder with four pins to hold the cases, that way I i dont need to remove the band to remove the case back for battery changes or adjustments, you will find that holder more than strong enough even for the tightest case backs. With the tool holder the most common in use is the rectangular pins for slotted backs, never use those pins that are supposedly for the Rolex knurled backs, you will damage the back on a tight case as you can never get them tight enough to prevent slippage, only use the round dies that fits the whole back, you buy suction cups that fit in place of the tool holder and will most of those odd backs like rolex, omega with five round holes, Breitling etc Those knurled screws on the side of the tool holder I never use them, I tightened them up and then backed them off a turn and never touched them again, and the large knurled ring meant put pressure to keep the tool holder down on the case very very rarely used, you can lean on the wheel with more than enough pressure to hold it in place, when working in a shop opening and closing 20-30 watches a day that knurled ring becomes old fast.

[@zingerxroads]

Thanks for the review. I have this one in my Amazon shopping cart for a couple of months, and have been debating whether to buy it. So it’s great to see a demo of using it. It would be great if you could also demo opening a coin edge back. Sometimes when those are screwed on really tight, it’s tough to open. I wonder if this one will have any issues.

[@WatchComplications]

I’m happy with it. As for a coin edge, I have to get a set of attachments suited for those, or more likely I would 3d print one first and see if it’d survive the pressure 😆

[@TheHoss4145]

I like the brand name. Just "Focket"...

[@motouno3778]

Thanks mate , that looks geat for the $ . I seriously don't think that spending another $700 or $800 would get you that much better of a tool . Cheers

[@WatchComplications]

some tools having the name brand is good, some tools it’s not worth it and the knock off gets the job done just as well. this is a good tool for the price, no need for a big spend. thanks for watching :)

[@ronnienes]

Great review, thank you! What was the piece of clear plastic you used to protect the case back when using the black "pins" to open the second watch? Just any old hard plastic cut to a disc shape or is there a specific thing people use? Thanks!

[@WatchComplications]

any sort of thin plastic will work, but that one is a specific round disc that Bergeon makes.

[@ronnienes]

@@WatchComplications thank you!

[@Mikesmeyer88]

I want to get one and a x&y lanier stange to make a little engraving mill. Should be fun and better than this 200$ ebay ones.

[@smartdkdesign7389]

PLEASE DO VIDEO ABOUT TAKING OFF A ROLEX CASE BACK WITH THIS TOOL !!!!

[@WatchComplications]

You could use this tool if you get the right set. I've seen an adapter kit that would likely fit and the silicone cups (I'll call them) that can be used on the rolex/tudor style of case back. I've also thought about 3d printing ones that would work.

[@GasStationKnives4Ever]

Do you always have to remove band to use this? My local watch shop didn’t have to take my band off but I forget what style he used.

[@WatchComplications]

I would say it depends on the type of strap.

[@nokianx400]

Thatnks, where can I get the round plastic protector?

[@WatchComplications]

You can get them from about any watch parts supplier like ofrei or esslinger, or also on ebay.

[@salemarkovic]

Hello - nice video. I have a question, if you can help me do a sanity check. I am trying the hoby, and doing some simple stuff, like shortening the bracelet, polishing some minor scratches all for myself. I wanted to change batteries, but opening any of 3 or 4 watches I have has been an impossible task for me. I used friction ball, 2 pin and 3 pin remover - not even a thought about moving. Am I really that bad, or doing something wrong, or simply all those cases are closed so tight I need a tool like this one? Thanks.

[@WatchComplications]

well this depends on the specific watch. are you sure they aren’t snap case backs instead of screw down case backs?

[@salemarkovic]

@@WatchComplications oh, come on i am not that lost :). I loved this video and got the tool and opened all 3 easily. Much appreciated.

[@WatchComplications]

oh ok, never know so it’s always worth asking :) but yeah, even on the toughest of cases the leverage of this tool makes it quite easy!

[@Sandman9811]

I wanted to see how you opened the first watch

[@WatchComplications]

works the same regardless of the watch, just get the lug size right, use the correct tips for the case, adjust the diameter and boom! :)

[@gaborm4767]

What is that LED display?

[@WatchComplications]

it’s call the Tidbyt tidbyt.com/ I backed it a few years ago on kickstarter and they are still going. It’s good for programmers, ok for others. :)

[@mikebruegger8654]

Can you get Omega style adapters?

[@WatchComplications]

I've seen a couple out there that would probably fit this also, like the one on Esslinger. Could also make one (3d printing).

[@mikebruegger8654]

Not sure plastic would be strong enough pins though

[@WatchComplications]

@@mikebruegger8654 thickness and height would be important for sure. something worth testing. half of my 3d printer is 3d printed.

[@tonytramonti5828]

Focket I’m buying this

[@WatchComplications]

worth it.

[@haping1]

Certainly this tool to consider. The handtool isn't that great. You cannot position the bits and screw them tide at the same time. So they wiggle around... Do you think the Bergeon bits for in this Amazon watch case tool? Just to replace the Chinese ones with quality bits...

[@WatchComplications]

I don’t sense any difference in the tool bits vs the Bergeon tools. They’re all steel bits at the end of the day. As long as the machining is identical, they’ll work the same.