Reddit reviews Bergeon Professional Cleaning Rodico

I've been wanting to build my own watch for years, but there is lots of terminology, and always worried about getting the right pieces and knowing what the hell I was doing.

I finally got motivated enough to to make this when I saw: https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/87640n/build_i_assembled_a_watch_because_someone_told_me/

Thanks Scooter356.

Cost Breakdown

Parts

| Part | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Strap | £18.95 | https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gipsy-Stitched-Vintage-Style-Brown-Leather-Watch-Strap-18-19-20-or-22mm-AM1/152902576907?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=452661711715&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 |
| Case | £23.75 | https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fit-ETA-6497-6498-movement-parnis-44mm-Polished-316L-stainless-steel-watch-case/322157907423?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 |
| Movement | £30.40 | https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17-Jewels-classic-6498-Mechanical-Hand-Winding-movement-fit-mens-watch-M14/322427983275?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 |
| Dial | £16.00 | https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38-9mm-white-dial-blue-hands-fit-for-6498-Movement-watch-dial-with-hands-62A/322459621256?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 |
| Total | £89.10 | |

Tools

| Part | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Rodico | £8.99 | https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008YMGYBU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
| Casing Cushion | £4.20 | https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017MQ07FW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
| Toolkit | £15.49 | https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071P7B672/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
| Total | £28.68 | |

Total Cost

£117.78

I struggled putting on the second had, it is RIDICULOUSLY tiny, and took me about 45 minutes of trying.

Unfortunately I cut the winding stick thingy (mind=blank) a fraction too short and now, after winding it up twice, it no longer winds up; I think something must have come loose, so I will have to take it apart and see if I can replace that bit. Any suggestions as to it's name would be appreciated.

Over all, i'm very pleasantly surprised by the parts I got. I didn't realise that the strap would be quite as nice, and the glass (mineral) is very nice to look at with a nice magnification of the dial and a bluish tint when the light bounces off it.

I am bit disappointed that I didn't make it with a date function, I keep looking for the date that my previous Hugo Boss chronograph had, although I don't miss it's other features all that much.

My next watch, I will make for my wife. It wont be quite as large, but I haven't decided any more than that about it. I still need to pick her brains on what style she wants.

Current tools in the box

From Amazon:

• Pair of clear plastic dome trays
  
• Silicone Repair Mat
  
• Watch Press and Pry Tools
  
• Caseback and Movement Holder
  
• Hand Press and Hand Removal Tweezers (i actually took the post out of the press, and used the piston by itself. the press does not move straight up and down, so I found it easier to hand hold the piston and guide the press myself slowly.
  
  • I have these hand press tools on order, and should hopefully have them in the next week.
    
• Rodico
  
• General Watch tool Kit
  
  ​
  
  Also, this is the walkthrough video I used for reference when changing the movement.
  
  ​
  
  Happy Modding!

Oh damn, I hadn't seen the kits, thanks for pointing that out man! Would it be a good idea to pick up and extra set of hands before I start?

Also, would this set of tools be enough to get it built, or am I missing some stuff?

Cleaning Rodico

[Tool Kit](
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075LM4332/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?i)

Cushion

Here's the list of all the tools I got:

Tweezers- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0028C9IMO?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Hand presser/lifter- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0748HZTMH?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Case opener- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0058EDAUA?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Clippers for cutting the stem- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-End-Cutting-Pliers-Nippers-4-quot-Electrical-Wire-Cutter-Jewelry-Tool-Allied-/322393033884?txnId=2067048388011

Magnifyer (loupe)- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000LDG2HQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Magnifyer holder- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B079CBLTDG?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Case cushion- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07GPH2M6X?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Silicone grease (for the o-ring)- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0058ED3MA?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Rodico (for picking up dust)- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008YMGYBU?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

You'll also need a set of jewelers screwdrivers and files, which I already had, and some nitrile gloves or finger cots so you dont get oil and dirt from your hands onto the movement. I've also seen other people recommend getting a movement holder to hold onto the movement while you attach the dial and hands.

get yourself some rodico https://www.amazon.com/Bergeon-Professional-Cleaning-Rodico/dp/B008YMGYBU/

I'm not sure how well a lint roller would get into the engravings. I personally would try alternating toothbrush and compressed air until it's clean, then resume. Actually, I'd probably just use watchmaker's putty because I have weird things like that laying around the house, but toothbrush and air should be fine.

You can probably avoid getting more crud back in the engravings by lightly soaking a sponge with linseed oil and then just dabbing it on those areas.