millemiglia Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 Hi Everyone, I just bought a set for opening Rolex Cases (Bentson No5537) but it doesn't seem to open anything. The biggest one (29.50) is slightly smaller than both my Rep Daytona and Rep GMT II Ceramic (also tryed on a non ceramic GMT II and Datejust, same story). The box doesn't seem to be original in my opinion (a picture I saw online displayed the word "ROLEX" on the side of the package - not on mine - and the internal blister was different too, also the the whole Benston print on the cover box is a sticker...) Could it be that this is a rep-case opener that doesn't work? Am I doing something wrong? Any help is appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 My Rolex set is a Bergeon and it works on my reps. I've never heard of Bentson. I've found that the cheap sets of Rolex case wrenches don't always work very well- best to stick with a well known mfr. Mine cost around $40US- maybe 30 euros, maybe a little more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millemiglia Posted May 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 The fact is, Bentson part No5537 (the original one at least) is Rolex certified, and costs a lot (paid mine 60Eur), but as I said I'm not convinced this is original, shouldn't the chuck fit firmly on the case back (going evenly down)? Mine, if I put it perfectly ot the center, doesn't go all the way down and doesnt "grip" the caseback. If I press a little more, it goes down on one side while staying "up" just a little on the other side, it would seem that if it was a tad larger (say, half a millimiter or less) it would fit... (and sadly this is the biggest one in the set,) I tryed to adjust the position in many ways but it just doesn't firmly fit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docblackrock Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 My Rolex set is a Bergeon and it works on my reps. I've never heard of Bentson. I've found that the cheap sets of Rolex case wrenches don't always work very well- best to stick with a well known mfr. Mine cost around $40US- maybe 30 euros, maybe a little more. I'd second that. Buy Bergeon. Accept no substitute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexman Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 Buy a stickybal....lt it will save you mucho $$$$$$$ PS: Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 Even cheaper, get a set of dish-washing gloves, and apply force with you thumbs. Works a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millemiglia Posted May 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 Tried both... (I bought a sticky ball a couple of months ago) they are very tight and won't budge... I don't have a case holder/bech vice though, are they needed? Or using the correct wrench (Bergeon) should I be able to open the case holding the case with one hand and applying force with the other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 You're going to need one of these for the GMT: And if you've got a DSSD, it's the only thing that will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 I bought cheap arms and the Bergeon 29.50 die and it fits fine on the Subs, Sea Dweller and I used a smaller die on my mid-sized DJ. The arms didn't quite fit the die properly, so I ground out the die slot for better fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millemiglia Posted May 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 So the wrench that Gioarmani pointed out is the only one that will open a GMT ceramic? What about a Daytona? (same story?) You mean even a Bergeon branded wrench (the one that comes with the 6 different chucks) will not open the GMT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 Gio's case back opening tool is adjustable, which might be what it takes on your rep cases. But the 29.5mm should work on the real Rolexes at least. I have one CN sub that's tough to open with the 29.5 die, but it works on the rest of my reps. I don't have a GMT II or a modern Daytona, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millemiglia Posted May 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2009 Gio's case back opening tool is adjustable, which might be what it takes on your rep cases. But the 29.5mm should work on the real Rolexes at least. I have one CN sub that's tough to open with the 29.5 die, but it works on the rest of my reps. I don't have a GMT II or a modern Daytona, though. But Gio's wrench doesn't seem suitable for oyster type cases (shouldn't it be with the classic chucks?) I fear that the case back could slip underneath if it doesn't grip tightly (thad dented part in the case back is finicky to say the least, one problem being the part that the wrench should grip which is not perpendicular...). Does anybody have hands on experience with the tool Gio's mentioned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offshore Posted May 2, 2009 Report Share Posted May 2, 2009 I have the Bergeon 5338, which is a different tool, however it includes a set of clamps, which fits the "fluted" back watches. I think that applies to the one Gio has as well. As long as it is used in conjunction with a case clamp, I can get most everything open, with care. There are a number of copies of the 5537 tool going around, and the 29.5 die is seriously "out". (Don't specifically know of the Bentson version) I had one of the copy 5537 tools, and like Toad, I had purchased a new genuine Bergeon die, and filed out the lug fitting area, so it worked on my handle. I then found that some of the smaller dies were suspect for fit, on some of the copy Rx ladies watches. Now I don't know for certain if the problem is the die or the caseback, but I suspect the casebacks are less than perfect for fit, as the dies thus far, have been OK on the few gens I have needed to open. Having now purchased the 5338, the 5537 copy tool is consigned to the museum! Hope this helps. Offshore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted May 2, 2009 Report Share Posted May 2, 2009 i bought a third party one off ebay(bergeon knock-off) for $30, think it was "headpai" or something like that. works perfect, fits perfect, tightens perfect. the milling isnt as sharp as probably the bergeon tho, and it can occasionally slip when retightening casebacks if you push it. If i had to buy it again i'd probably buy the LG OPENALL instead http://www.jewelerssupplies.com/LG-Openall...ase-Wrench.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jockl1978 Posted May 2, 2009 Report Share Posted May 2, 2009 Gios tool will give you some nice marks on the caseback from slipping, I talk out of first hand experience . Unless you are a Pro, I wouldn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted May 2, 2009 Report Share Posted May 2, 2009 I'm not sure why your 29.5 doesn't fit. Either your die was cast incorrectly or you have a abnormal case-back that isn't to spec. I use my 29.5 to open all my oysters... ...except for the DSSD, as a 29.5 is about 6mm too small, which is why I use the wrench: And yes, you have to know exactly what you're doing & be careful, or you will scratch your case-back. For some cases (as it sounds like yours) the wrench is the only other option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millemiglia Posted May 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2009 What seems weird to me, is that I tried the 29.50 on the following: GMT II Ceramic, GMT II Pepsi, Date Just man size, Daytona. It doesn't work with any of the above (it would seem "half a mm" smaller than it should be) aside from Subs, is there any other REP RLX watch that you open with the 29.50? Or should I assume that thi kind of "six chucks set" is only good for Subs and Ladies watches? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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