Opinion on BULLONGÈ screwrdrivers

[jspa]

Hi everyone, 

before I started my journey with the watch fix tutorial, I obtained a cheap aliexpress watch tool kit. Now, I have started to lose my mind over it, since screwdrivers are bad and I have trouble using them, removing some screws is hard and also I'm damaging screws(Note I'm still using my "learning" movement, so I don't cause a lot of damage, but in future, I would like to avoid it.). I have my eye on this BULLONGÈ set, so does anyone have any experience with them? Will this be sufficient for now? This is the set I would like to obtain: https://www.watch-tools.de/watchmaker-acute-s-screwdriver-set-official-geneva-basic-pro.php

I know that Bergeon is probably top-tier, but I'm wondering if is it necessary to go with them.

Also, I'm open to other recommendations. Thanks in advance!

[watchweasol]

Hi regarding screwdrivers the usual maxim is get the best you can afford. You can purchase single Bergeron ones of sets. Other sets like A*F are good . If you are taking this hobby up long term then Bergeron.  Many years ago when I started you bought them single,  I still have them and use them today along with others for example a French set which are good but avoid cheap ones as they are just that. Ali express , Chinese Amazon  might be worth al look at . There are many on this site using Chinese tools quite satisfactory.   The choice is yours in how much you are willing to pay for the.

[praezis]

1 hour ago, jspa said:

This is the set I would like to obtain: https://www.watch-tools.de/watchmaker-acute-s-screwdriver-set-official-geneva-basic-pro.php

Are they chinese origin?

Quote

European style

Non-straight replacement blades may become difficult to find and of higher cost.

[RichardHarris123]

How about these?

 

[jspa]

2 hours ago, praezis said:

Are they chinese origin?

Non-straight replacement blades may become difficult to find and of higher cost.

They should be of German Origin.

Hey, thanks for pointing out these "European-style blades"!

[jspa]

1 hour ago, RichardHarris123 said:

How about these?

 

Hi, I have done some research on these and the problem is the following:

Shipping is almost as expensive as a screwdriver set to my country. And If I'm gonna pay that much I can also go with Bergeon ones.

[RichardHarris123]

Buy the Bergeon then. 

[praezis]

1 hour ago, jspa said:

They should be of German Origin

There are no German made watchmaker screw drivers today. Just the seller is German.

Edited February 16 by praezis

[Knebo]

50 minutes ago, praezis said:

There are no German made watchmaker screw drivers today

Yes indeed. I was also once fooled by this "Bullongè" brand. Sounds nice and Swiss/French, but is a cheap Indian or Chinese make. 

 

Now... screwdrivers are one of the two most used tools (next to tweezers). It's worth investing a bit in them. 

BUT... even the best screwdrivers don't do the job automatically. You need some practice in applying the right pressure and holding them steady. 

Absolutely essential is to dress the screwdrivers to the right size for the screw slots - this applies to the cheap and the most expensive screwdrivers! It is NOT enough to match the screwdriver to the length of the slot (the obvious one). You also have to adjust the thickness! 

This video is helpful: 

 

@VWatchie and @Klassiker also posted this in another thread to illustrate the point I am trying to make:

 

 

 

Edited February 16 by Knebo

[Klassiker]

7 hours ago, Knebo said:

Absolutely essential is to dress the screwdrivers to the right size for the screw slots

This can't be emphasised enough. Over time, you may even build up a collection of several sets, with two or three screwdrivers of any given nominal size, but dressed differently. I don't really care about the quality of the body. It's nice to have the best, and they'll last forever, but my best set are Beco Technic budget quality, and work absolutely fine. You'll want to be able to fit replacement blades later, ideally Bergeon or Horotec, so make sure they will fit.

When working on watches, I use 0.5mm more often than expected, and never anything above 1.8mm. If I was starting again from scratch, and buying from that shop, I would probably get one or even two of this set:

https://www.watch-tools.de/tools/screwdriver/7-s1-watchmaker-screvdriver-kt-quality.php

[Knebo]

I'm very happy with my set: https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/bergeon-screwdriver-sets-static-stands

It has two additional blades for each size. The replacement blades can be dressed differently so that you can switch them out when you work on different screws (e.g. vintage Omega often have very thin slots whereas ETA or Rolex have wider ones).

Not cheap, but doesn't break the bank.

 

PS: I did buy an extra 0.6mm, though, which is missing in this set.

Edited February 17 by Knebo

[jspa]

Thank you all for your valuable advice. I’ve realized how important having a high-quality set of screwdrivers and tweezers is. With that in mind, I’ve decided to be patient and continue practicing with my current set on one mechanism for a bit longer. Once I’ve gained more experience, I plan to invest in a better-quality set that will hopefully serve me well for many years to come. 

[AndyGSi]

Never really understood all the hype about Bergeon screwdrivers.

I've only ever used cheap ones like below and never had any problems.

For me and as mentioned above the key is having the right size and shape blade for the job.

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Never really understood all the hype about Bergeon screwdrivers.

I've only ever used cheap ones like below and never had any problems.

For me and as mentioned above the key is having the right size and shape blade for the job.

Me neither,  i have a bergeon set that has been built up through joblot purchases over a few years, but I honestly can't say that they make me perform better than my first cheap set.

[Knebo]

23 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Never really understood all the hype about Bergeon screwdrivers.

I've only ever used cheap ones like below and never had any problems.

For me and as mentioned above the key is having the right size and shape blade for the job.

You are probably right. I got the Bergeon ones from the outset, so can't speak to cheaper ones. 

But I can confirm your overall notion for the example of tweezers. I have 2-3 expensive Dumont's (that I wouldn't want to miss), but most of time I use cheap Indian brass ones from Cousins. The key is to dress them regularly and before the first use. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, Knebo said:

You are probably right. I got the Bergeon ones from the outset, so can't speak to cheaper ones. 

But I can confirm your overall notion for the example of tweezers. I have 2-3 expensive Dumont's (that I wouldn't want to miss), but most of time I use cheap Indian brass ones from Cousins. The key is to dress them regularly and before the first use. 

Good tweezers are definitely more important to me. 

[tomh207]

13 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Good tweezers are definitely more important to me. 

 

1 hour ago, Knebo said:

You are probably right. I got the Bergeon ones from the outset, so can't speak to cheaper ones. 

But I can confirm your overall notion for the example of tweezers. I have 2-3 expensive Dumont's (that I wouldn't want to miss), but most of time I use cheap Indian brass ones from Cousins. The key is to dress them regularly and before the first use. 

Tweezers are in my opinion a much more important investment than screwdrivers. I have cheap no name tweezers, I-fixit from one of there kits, cousinsuk titanium and dumont with a couple of other Swiss tweezers. I like the titanium but overall I unconsciously reach for the dumonts, they just seem to work really naturally for me.

 

For screwdrivers I have anchor(India made), a bergeon set and some random no name stuff that has come with tool job lots off the ‘bay. The anchors are fine, I am replacing the blades with cousinsuk branded which are decent, it does make a difference, less chipping. The bergeon ones are nice and feel good in the hand. Between the two I just really pick what I think has the closest dressing needed, I do use the bergeon for movements but will use the anchors more if I am futzing around restoring tools. I think the most important things for a good screwdriver are they don’t have a wobbly head and you can change/upgrade the blades easily. 
 

Tom

[watchweasol]

Most of my screwdrivers  are 60 years old and. more than hale of them have fixed blades, that was the norm. The modern trend is for replacement blades which is a good idea but when all is said and done it’s the operator and the business end of any screwdriver that counts Carpenter or watchmaker

[VWatchie]

On 2/18/2025 at 12:42 PM, AndyGSi said:

Never really understood all the hype about Bergeon screwdrivers.

I have Bergeon screwdrivers and I'm not overly impressed. I think my less expensive A*F screwdrivers are easier to work with.

[RichardHarris123]

Up to 1.6mm, I  have Bergeon above Cousins, the difference?  Not a lot.