Bergeon 6111 Spring Bar Tool Review & Complete Guide
Not all tools are created equal.
The general rule is that the higher the price, the better the quality. There are of course plenty of exceptions to this rule, but not with Bergeon. In the case of Bergeon tools, you really get what you are paying for, and the price is reflected in the quality.
There are many different spring bar tools out there but Bergeon is often considered one of the best manufacturers of watchmaker tools. Yes, its products are often much higher priced than some of its competitors, but those who own Bergeon tools will likely say it is worth it.
If you are looking for an effective and convenient spring bar tool for removing the spring bars of your watch, you have probably come across the Bergeon 6111 Spring Bar tool.
Bergeon 6111 Spring Bar Tool Review
The 6111 is designed similarly to a pen which makes gripping and operating easy. The tool has two ends with different tips which allows for a wide usage area.
On one side, it has a forked end which is used for removing spring bars, and on the other, it has a straight tip that helps to remove link pins, but also spring bars on watches that feature drilled lugs. In addition to this, it also comes with an additional tip that gives you a better fit and alternatives, depending on what watch you are working on.
One of the forked tips has a broadness of 4mm in width and is flat, but also curved. Since this is a flat tip and it is slightly bigger, it is suitable for larger watches as these may require extra grip and more force when removing the spring bars.
On the opposite, the small forked tip can be used when you have a watch with limited space and for watches on which it can be difficult to access the spring bars effectively.
The forked tips measure 1.20 and 4.0mm. The pointed tip, on the other hand, measures only 0.80mm.
Broad forked tip
A benefit of the broad forked tip is that it allows you to lever against the lugs without damage, so you can get better precision and more force. The reason you can do this is that the broadness of the tip spreads the pressure across a larger area, thus helping to avoid marks if you accidentally touch the tool to the lug. Depending on which watch you have, you may or may not want to use this, but regardless, if you accidentally slip, the risk is much smaller when you have this tip.
Knurled handle and sturdy design
The Bergeon 6111 is a ”Heavy duty tool”. It is made of solid stainless steel and feels good in the hand. It also has a knurled handle which provides a better grip so you don’t risk slipping when using it. It is also nickel-plated. And like all of Bergeon’s tools, it is made in Switzerland.
Replaceable tips
There really is a difference between spring bar tools and spring bar tools.
The issue with the most affordable options is that 1. They offer poor precision and are not made for a perfect grip. In addition to this, they also tend to be of a lower quality, which means that they will wear out quickly, but also that they can break, snap, or bend.
The Bergeon tips are solid, offer great precision, and are made to last. Both in terms of precision but also in terms of longevity.
But of course, everything wears out after frequent and heavy use, but when that happens, the good news is that the 6111 has replaceable tips, so if you need new ones, you can simply replace them. It is a very easy, and affordable way to ensure your tool has maximum precision and grip at all times. For a secure and stable fit, the tips are screwed-in. An issue with some affordable spring bar tools is that the tips may move.
The replacement tips have the part numbers 6111D and 6111E.
Conclusion
The general consensus of Bergeon tools is that they are exceptionally great. In fact amongst the best on the market. But it does come with a price. However, spring bar tools are not something you want to compromise with, and buy the most affordable option with which you may risk slipping and damaging your watch. A good tool like the 6111 is a good way to minimize the risk of damaging your watch and to make the job of removing spring bars much easier.
Whilst it may feel appealing to buy a spring bar tool that looks similar to this one for only a few dollars, once you try a high-quality tool like this one, the difference will be very evident.
The Bergeon 6111 Spring Bar Tool is available to order on Amazon.
