Recommendations for watch hand removal, tools or otherwise

[OS1111]

Hi, I'm very new to watch repairs and am basically learning as I go. I've put together a modest kit of tools, lubricants, cleaners etc but I lack watch hand removal tools and skills! I bought the basic Bergeon watch hand removal tools and they're a joke! The ends that are supposed to fit underneath the hands must be 0.5mm thick. I guess Bergeon have never seen a watch :-O

Before I fork out nearly £100 for the Bergeon "deluxe" range second hand and general hand removal tools, and risk being disappointed, again please can I have recommendations for techniques and tools for watch hand removal?

Many thanks,

[ThrobinsonCrusoe]

I got a pair of levers that cost £3.99 on Ebay and it's one of the few tools I don't regret going bargain basement on. I've tried other styles of hand removal tools and found them a liability.

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[OS1111]

@ThrobinsonCrusoe many thanks for the reply, I don’t suppose they have a maker’s mark or something else to ID them, there’s quite a few on eBay.

[Nucejoe]

Fine sand paper laid on top of flat glass is my machine shop.

I'd get a cheap one and dress it as you like. You'd know more about your question in time and before you invest on pricy ones.

Good luck.

Joe

[ThrobinsonCrusoe]

1 hour ago, OS1111 said:

@ThrobinsonCrusoe many thanks for the reply, I don’t suppose they have a maker’s mark or something else to ID them, there’s quite a few on eBay.

I think it was these ones

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pcs-Precision-Watch-Hand-Remover-Pin-Lever-Replace-Watchmaker-Repair-Tool-Kit/352808012901

Like Nucejoe said you can always file the business end into the size and shape you require.

[rodabod]

The Bergeon branded “presto” type lifters are excellent. Did you buy separate “tyre lever” types?

[OS1111]

@ThrobinsonCrusoe, @Nucejoe - many thanks for the tips, I've order a pair from eBay and I'll investigate filing the ends down

[OS1111]

Hi @rodabod, the lifters I bought were the Bergeon branded “presto” ones but the "economy" ones which was perhaps my mistake

[rodabod]

Ah, I didn’t realise that they now had a two-tier system now. I destroyed a set of hands years ago with an Indian or Chinese set of Presto copies. Never again. I use a Swiss set for most hand removal. 

[Tudor]

I’ve been using the Bergeron “tire levers” since day one. I chipped one of the doing something I shouldn’t have been doing, so one is a tiny different shape, but they are hard steel which I have polished to mirror after the chip. 
 

I always worried about the “presto” removers damaging the hands- particularly white gold hands, which scratch if you look at them cross eyed...

You can see one of the ends in the bottom of this photo:

[RedVitus]

I use a Presto hand remover, and on occasion shop levers fashioned from brass rod.