If you’re planning to swap out or upgrade the crystal on your Seiko mod, you’ll need a watch crystal press. This tool is essential for safely and evenly pressing a watch crystal into the case, creating the tight water-resistant seal needed for everyday wear and durability. As a bonus, many crystal presses can also double as tools for closing snap-on casebacks, making them a multi-use piece of kit for any modder.
Crystal presses come in a wide variety of designs, from affordable beginner options to professional-grade tools — and like most watchmaking gear, you generally get what you pay for. That said, there are some smart ways for new modders to save money without compromising functionality.
Most crystal presses use a standard-size threaded shaft, which means the dies (also called cups or inserts) are often interchangeable between different models, including many of the ones based on or compatible with Bergeon tools. This means you can start with a low-cost press — even one from eBay or AliExpress — and still use the dies later if you choose to upgrade to a higher-quality unit. In fact, in our experience, the dies themselves often outlast the presses they come with.
If you’re just getting started, a budget-friendly approach is to buy an inexpensive press and pair it with a set of quality dies from China. These dies typically follow the same thread standard and can be reused across different brands and press models, giving you flexibility down the line as your toolkit evolves.
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How Does a Watch Crystal Press Work?
Crystal presses use interchangeable dies to support the watch case and apply downward pressure on the crystal. One die rests below the case, supporting it without touching the lugs, while the top die presses evenly across the crystal’s surface. With the correct die pairing, the crystal slides smoothly into place without cracking or misaligning.
These tools are generally bench-mounted and operated with a lever mechanism, allowing for controlled pressure during the pressing process.
Professional Grade Options for Modders – Watch Crystal Press
- Bergeon 5500 – A classic crystal press made in Switzerland. Precision-built and long-lasting, this press is a top choice among watchmakers and serious modders. Smooth action, reliable pressure, and excellent build quality make it a professionals go-to. It comes apart easily for cleaning to insure a life time of operation. The Bergeon 5500 watch crystal press can be purchased with or without dyes.
- Horotec 06.150 – Another high-end option with Swiss craftsmanship. The fit and finish are excellent, and it’s suitable for a wide variety of crystal types and case styles.
- Bergeon 6173 Rack Press – This is the top-tier option, capable of applying high levels of force with precision. It’s used in professional settings where fitting tight, high-tolerance crystals is a routine job. Of course, the price reflects its premium build, and it’s probably overkill for most modders, unless you’re regularly doing crystal work. For precision fit every time this press has an optional extra micrometre.
- Robur Screwed Crystal Press. This tool is well-regarded among watchmakers for its precision and rock-solid build quality. Unlike many lever-style presses, the Robur uses a screw-down mechanism that gives the user greater control and feel during installation, which is especially useful when working with tight-fitting or delicate crystals. It’s a more methodical process compared to quick-action presses, but the slow, even pressure helps reduce the risk of cracking or misalignment. The Robur Press is used for setting acrylic and acrylic armour crystals making it the most versatile press. A guide to fitting armoured crystal using the robur watch crystal press will be coming soon.
- Aftermarket Adapters for the Robur watch crystal press – The Robur press can also uses standard threaded dies, so there is no need to throw out the old dyes from your cheap starter press. There is an adapter produced by a chap in the UK, that makes this press compatible with most die sets on the market — including those from Bergeon and other brands — making it a great long-term investment for modders planning to grow their tool collection.
Aluminium Robur Adapters available on ebay. Made in the UK.
- The Bergeon 8250 is a high-end, professional-grade crystal press designed for precision and durability. It features a smooth screw-down mechanism that allows for highly controlled pressure, making it ideal for installing both acrylic and mineral crystals with confidence. The robust construction and stable base give it excellent stability on the bench, minimizing the chance of slips or misalignment during use. Like other presses in the Bergeon lineup, the 8250 accepts standard threaded dies, so it’s fully compatible with a wide range of aftermarket and OEM die sets. While it’s a more significant investment than entry-level options, the Bergeon 8250 is built for serious modders or watchmakers who value accuracy, consistency, and longevity in their tools.
Low Cost Alternatives – Watch Crystal Press
- Chinese Clone of the Bergeon 5500 – These affordable alternatives can be found easily online. While they may not match the precision of the Swiss-made original, many hobbyists and professional find them perfectly usable, with suitable dyes and maintenance.
Buy the Clone 5500 on Ali Express – ebay
Chinese Clone of the Bergeon 6173 – For modders looking to replicate the high pressure and precision of the original Bergeon rack press without the hefty price tag, several Chinese-made clones of the 6173 are now available. These presses follow the same rack-and-pinion mechanism, offering strong, even downward force—ideal for installing thicker sapphire crystals or tight press-fit builds. While the fit and finish are clearly a step down from the Swiss original, they generally do the job well enough for most hobbyist modding needs. You’ll find them in various colours, with or without die sets, and some even come with a micrometre included. We haven’t personally tested this press, so we can’t vouch for long-term durability or micrometre accuracy, but if what you need is extra pressing force at a lower cost, this tool is worth a look.
- Blue Crystal Press – These budget presses are very common and often painted blue. Build quality varies, but for occasional use, like modders using pre-assembled cases and simply fitting dials, hands, and a movement, they can get the job done. However, don’t expect them to last forever, especially when pressing thicker crystals or sapphire upgrades that require more force.
Buy the Budget Blue Watch Crystal Press from Ali Express – Amazon UK – Amazon USA – ebay.
Other Budget Alternatives
Red Budget Watch Crystal Press (Screw Down)
Budget Red Screw-Down Watch Crystal Press – We used an earlier version of this press, which had thin rear legs that flexed under pressure, making it unreliable for tighter crystal fits. That version was retired early. However, newer models appear to have thicker legs and a reinforced top, which could improve stability. While the design seems better, we haven’t tested the updated version, so it remains a bit of a risk — it might serve well for light use, or it may still suffer from durability issues.
Which Watch Crystal Press Should You Choose?
If you’re just starting out or modding the occasional watch, a basic press—such as the blue eBay type or a Chinese copy of the Bergeon 5500—will likely be sufficient. These presses will handle the basic needs of most Seiko modders, especially if you’re not dealing with tight press-fit crystals.
However, if you’re working on multiple builds or want a tool that will last years without fail, stepping up to the Horotec 06.135 or Bergeon 5500 is a solid investment. And if you want absolute certainty and pressure for fitting even the toughest crystals, the Bergeon 6173 rack press has you covered.
Honest Review – Watch Crystal Press
Some of the presses mentioned in this guide have been hands-on tested by us at Seikomodder, while others are based on community feedback, trusted recommendations, and our experience with similar models. To give you some context: our modding journey began with the budget blue press over a decade ago. It served well for a year of heavy hobby use before the handle rivet wore out—eventually failing under the strain of repeated diver crystal installs. A DIY fix with a steel bolt extended its life, but it was a clear sign that cheaper presses have their limits under consistent load.
We also experimented with a red Chinese screw-down watch crystal press that looked like a clone of the Horotec 07.110. Unfortunately, this one didn’t hold up — the two thin rear legs flexed under pressure, especially when installing tighter crystals. That structural weakness made the press unpredictable, and it was retired early in our workflow. After that, we upgraded to a Bergeon 5500, using the original dies from the blue press which have since been upgraded. It’s still in use today. In the home workshop we have a 5500 clone a great way of getting a full set of aluminium dies. This was purchased to do all the work of pressing crystals on this website and it has held up well. Like with the original 5500 it requires occasional shaft cleaning to ensure smooth, even operation.
For tougher jobs, we rely on the Robur screw press — particularly useful for armoured or thick diver crystals. We’ve also had great results using Robur adapters with generic aluminium adapters. These adapters allow you to fit standard threaded dies onto the Robur press, giving it even more versatility without needing to invest in a full set of dedicated Robur dies. It’s a solid upgrade that turns the Robur into a flexible, multi-use tool—especially handy if you’re already sitting on a collection of dies from previous presses. Bottom line: while budget tools can work, not all are created equal, and having used several first-hand, we know which ones earn their spot on the bench.
Final Thoughts – Watch Crystal Press
Like many tools in Seiko modding, the right watch crystal press depends on how deep into the hobby you are. For casual modders or those working with pre-assembled cases, an inexpensive press is enough to get started. But as your builds become more custom, with tighter tolerances and thicker crystals, investing in a high-quality press will save you frustration—and possibly broken crystals—down the line.
If you’re a new modder looking for a basic tool kit to get started, we’ve got you covered. We’ve highlighted the essential tools and broken down the variety available on the market.
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