[rhaythorne]

Some time ago I purchased a model of Victorinox "Swiss Army Knife" aimed at IT/electronics techies that sports a range of blades and screwdiver bits that are essential when it comes to taking apart and re-assembling computers and other electronic devices. It's called the "Cybertool" and it turned out to be one of the most useful items I've ever bought. I never leave home with it.

Wenger produce a small range of similar "Swiss Army Knife" models that includes a selection of Bergeon blades and tools such as small screwdrivers, springbar tools, tweezers, magnifying glasses and so on that are essential when it comes to tinkering with watches. Models in the range generally have the name "Minathor".

Although by no means a replacement for a proper set of tools, I think it could be great for those times when you're "in the field" but fancy changing a strap or replacing a battery, or get asked to by someone else (happens to me all the time!). I'm thinking of buying one, but am dissuaded by the facts that they're relatively expensive (roughly two to four times the price of the Victorinox Cybertool depending on which model you fancy) and are not widely available in the UK.

So, a few questions:

Does anyone here have one? If so, Which model is it and what do you think of it?

Roy, can you get them?

Or, should I forget the idea?

This post has been edited by rhaythorne: 17 April 2007 - 12:52 PM

[pinkwindmill]

Some time ago I purchased a model of Victorinox "Swiss Army Knife" aimed at IT/electronics techies that sports a range of blades and screwdiver bits that are essential when it comes to taking apart and re-assembling computers and other electronic devices. It's called the "Cybertool" and it turned out to be one of the most useful items I've ever bought. I never leave home with it.

Wenger produce a small range of similar "Swiss Army Knife" models that includes a selection of Bergeon blades and tools such as small screwdrivers, springbar tools, tweezers, magnifying glasses and so on that are essential when it comes to tinkering with watches. Models in the range generally have the name "Minathor".

Although by no means a replacement for a proper set of tools, I think it could be great for those times when you're "in the field" but fancy changing a strap or replacing a battery, or get asked to by someone else (happens to me all the time!). I'm thinking of buying one, but am dissuaded by the facts that they're relatively expensive (roughly two to four times the price of the Victorinox Cybertool depending on which model you fancy) and are not widely available in the UK.

So, a few questions:

Does anyone here have one? If so, Which model is it and what do you think of it?

Roy, can you get them?

Or, should I forget the idea?

I've seen these and fancy one too - anyone got a good source? Roy...??

Cheers,

Guy

[Roy]

I can get this one but it is very expensive, I think they retail at about £100.

• The Genuine Swiss Watchmakers Knife

From Wenger/Bergeon.Genuine WENGER Swiss Army knife product adapted for horological applications. Featuring: Case opening and standard blades, corkscrew, reamer, can opener, integral magazines of screwdriver blades, tweezers, lug remover bits, needle file, broaches and special tool bit holder - All in one knife!

 knife.jpg (9.68K)
Number of downloads: 9

[pinkwindmill]

I can get this one but it is very expensive, I think they retail at about £100.

• The Genuine Swiss Watchmakers Knife

From Wenger/Bergeon.Genuine WENGER Swiss Army knife product adapted for horological applications. Featuring: Case opening and standard blades, corkscrew, reamer, can opener, integral magazines of screwdriver blades, tweezers, lug remover bits, needle file, broaches and special tool bit holder - All in one knife!

 knife.jpg (9.68K)
Number of downloads: 9

Thanks Roy - smart looking tool (and they've updated its looks now too according to their website) but...errr, quite pricey!

Cheers,

Guy

[rhaythorne]

Roy said:

I can get this one but it is very expensive, I think they retail at about £100.

That's the trouble. I'd like to hear an existing owner give a really positive recommendation before shelling out that kind of dosh of a Swiss Army Knife! There are several models not even shown on the manufacturer's site. They cost somewhere between £70 and £140 depending on the version, may or may not come with the belt pouch and may or not come with a full complement of tools in the tool holder component. All very confusing

[pinkwindmill]

Roy said:

I can get this one but it is very expensive, I think they retail at about £100.

That's the trouble. I'd like to hear an existing owner give a really positive recommendation before shelling out that kind of dosh of a Swiss Army Knife! There are several models not even shown on the manufacturer's site. They cost somewhere between £70 and £140 depending on the version, may or may not come with the belt pouch and may or not come with a full complement of tools in the tool holder component. All very confusing

I quite fancy this one myself - the 2007 Giant :



(Image from Wenger's website)

A mere £500...

Cheers,

Guy

[rhaythorne]

Yeah, I think someone posted that once before. Can't imagine how you'd even use such a thing?

[Bladerunner]

& you would need a big pocket!

[rondeco]

I can get this one but it is very expensive, I think they retail at about £100.

• The Genuine Swiss Watchmakers Knife

From Wenger/Bergeon.Genuine WENGER Swiss Army knife product adapted for horological applications. Featuring: Case opening and standard blades, corkscrew, reamer, can opener, integral magazines of screwdriver blades, tweezers, lug remover bits, needle file, broaches and special tool bit holder - All in one knife!

 knife.jpg (9.68K)
Number of downloads: 9

I can see where the corkscrew and can opener would come in handy

[mel]

I've got a couple of the "regular" (taking stones out of horses hooves type) models left over from work when I RETIRED!

I've always found them excellent except if you b*gger up one of the tools, well that's kind of it! The whole thing's b*ggered! This is of course the problem with any compromise item - when the radio goes on the boom box, the CD won't play? Don't think I would buy one at full price

[DavidH]

The Genuine Swiss Watchmakers Knife would be a nice thing to have but the tools , in my opinion, would be a compromise.

A selection of the best necessary tools in a nice leather slip would be an alternative to have on hand, cost less, much more pleasure to use and 'easier' on the watches.

Spring bar tool, tweezers, some screwdrivers, diamond file, plastic tweezers, punch and tiny hammer would be a good start.

Think Dumont & Bergeon

[rhaythorne]

Ah, but you see that's precisely what I want to avoid carrying. I already have a small "toolkit" of various bits and pieces I carry around in a glasses case. How sad am I! The thing is, it's not a self-contained unit like a Swiss Army Knife (let's call it SAK for short!). I might lose certain items or spill the lot all over the floor etc.

Yes, the SAK is a compromise (I said earlier it's by no means a replacement for a proper set of tools) but it's so much more convenient.

With the Victorinox Cybertool I once de-commissioned (i.e took to pieces) a large unix server (about the size of three wardrobes!) It wasn't the best tool for the job, but it's all I had with me at the time, and it worked

[MikeM]

I have got one of these, and have used it for a couple of years now. I was lucky and picked it up second hand but it still cost about £45 ish as far as I remember. All I can say IMHO is that after treating the tools gently at first because they look a bit on the fragile side I soon forgot about that and got stuck in. The spring bar remover works great as do the bracelet pin pusher outers and case back opener, there is a crosshead and slotted mini screwdriver that are top quality IMO, as you would expect from Bergeon. I havent used the file or other bits but wouldn't feel afraid to. last time I looked all the bitsare available seperately if needed. Its all I need to carry when out watch hunting.

Regards
MikeM

[Boxbrownie]

I can get this one but it is very expensive, I think they retail at about £100.

• The Genuine Swiss Watchmakers Knife

From Wenger/Bergeon.Genuine WENGER Swiss Army knife product adapted for horological applications. Featuring: Case opening and standard blades, corkscrew, reamer, can opener, integral magazines of screwdriver blades, tweezers, lug remover bits, needle file, broaches and special tool bit holder - All in one knife!

 knife.jpg (9.68K)
Number of downloads: 9

Glad to see the two most important elements in the watch fiddlers arsenal are fully catered for!



Best regards David

[bill]

I've had a Minathor for a couple of years, and before I got my 'decent' tools it was my main source of quality screwdrivers.

The tools are very well made and are better than any of the 'cheap' screwdrivers I have.

I carry it in my 'manbag' all the time, and its quite impressive when a friend has a watch problem and you can repair it there and then........

Here’s a couple of very dodgy quick photos of the knife and its tools.

I think I paid about £45 for mine from a non-uk ebay seller (I think it was from the States)