Buying Bergeon tools from Aliexpress

[Out1s]

Hi,

I want to buy a starting tools such as loupe, tweezers, movement holder. pad etc. and I see that Aliexpress has all I need but I always sused that those are chinese replicas although they look exactly like the real thing, for example:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005099022972.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005742598746.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005108369510.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006391855291.html

can I count on the site credibility that those products are original? I know that Amazon is an option but shipping is way more expensive since I'm not located in US nor EU.

Thanks!

[AndyGSi]

Welcome to the forum.

First thing is if you're just starting out with watch repairs then I wouldn't start off with expensive tools like Bergeon.

Personally I wouldn't trust anything that's branded from AliExpress when there are genuine suppliers where prices don't appear much different.

https://www.julesborel.com/products/tools-tweezers-bergeon-tweezers/bergeon-7422-pm-b5-tweezer-brass-non-magnetic-alloy

https://www.julesborel.com/products/tools-movement-tools-movement-holders/bergeon-4039-movement-holder-3-3-4-11-ligne

https://www.julesborel.com/products/tools-movement-tools-movement-holders?search=2611-tn-2.5

https://www.julesborel.com/products/tools-bench-accessories-bench-mats/BG6808-GREEN

[fclass308]

The Chinese are masters at counterfeiting. Stick with someone stateside so if you have any questions, you can call and talk to someone.

Esslinger.com is another decent place to buy tools. Pretty good prices and their service is great.

[RichardHarris123]

Hello and welcome from Leeds, England.  Where are you located, it helps with sourcing parts and tools.

[HectorLooi]

It's like buying a Rolex from the guy in the back alley.

[Neverenoughwatches]

I rarely buy new tools now , mostly vintage secondhand tools bought from carboot sales , ebay or auction houses.  The older stuff is so much better quality than anything bought new.and often cheaper. For example i have just bought 5 pair of Dumont tweezer ( ok not vintage but i did say mostly ) 3 of these are duostar and dumoxel , a really unusual ruby jaws poising tool, brass pocketwatch movement holder, and handful of lathe accessories and a rack of 12 arbor vices for 150 quid inc delivery. It takes time to build your workshop in this manner and some restoration can be needed but thats part and parcel of this game, the upside is the cost and excellent traditional quality tools that were designed with the user in mind and they work as they are supposed to instead of a modern chinese manufacturer guessing what they are supposed to do. Other than that making what you need, bench mats, cushions, probes , tool holders, hand tools,  parts washers, have a look at our tips and tricks, diy and homemade threads. A little inspired ingenuity can go a long way to saving you a lot of dosh plus you get to make something custom that is suited to you and how you work. This hobby doesn't have to be super expensive, only if you let it

[VWatchie]

13 hours ago, Out1s said:

I'm not located in US nor EU

If you live in Europe for example the UK, Monaco, Moldova, or Norway, I'd suggest CousinsUK.com. That's where I go whenever I buy new stuff. Good prices.

As you are new to this I suggest you go slowly before making a substantial investment. Start with a decent...

• work mat,
• case holder,
• case opener,
• movement holder,
• screwdriver set,
• tweezers,
• hand levers,
• hand-fitting tool,
• cannon pinion remover tool (perhaps not necessary)

Now you can take apart and reassemble a watch to get a good feel for it. I don't think I missed anything essential but if so others will fill in.
 

Edited September 11, 2024 by VWatchie

[tomh207]

Also worth looking at this page put together by our host @Mark who runs the watchfix.com online courses.

https://www.watchfix.com/2019/09/30/essential-day-1-tools/

 

Tom

[VWatchie]

I forgot to mention that some sort of magnification is needed when you get started. In the beginning I only used magnifying glasses and I still do but now I have loups and a stereo microscope to complement.

Here's a post I wrote about it when I had just started:

https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/would-this-stereo-microscope-help-me-do-the-job.4468922/?post_id=43623827#post-43623827