Seiko Mod Tools – Watch Hand Presses – Fabulous Tools` To Make Your Modding Experience Fun – 2025

Installing hands is one of the most precise steps in any Seiko modding project. Whether you’re assembling a custom watch from scratch or upgrading the hands on your current mod, a watch hand press is the go-to tool for setting hour, minute, and seconds hands safely and cleanly onto the movement’s pinions.

These tools apply even vertical pressure, helping prevent damage to the hands or movement. And like most tools in the world of watchmaking, there are various types—ranging from simple handheld tools to advanced tabletop presses—with options for every budget and experience level.

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Handheld Watch Hand Presses

Perfect for beginners and occasional modders, handheld presses are compact, affordable, and easy to use.

• Bergeon 7404 (Set of 3) – A high-quality Swiss-made set of hand presses designed to fit hour, minute, and seconds hands. Reliable and non-marring with precise tips.
• Horotec 05.020 (Set of 4) – Similar in purpose, this set adds an extra press for finer work, offering slightly more versatility.

For many modders, especially those just starting out, these handheld options provide great results with minimal investment. They’re portable and easy to store, and while they require a bit of hand stability, they’re more than capable of getting the job done.

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Single-Handle Watch Hand Presses with Interchangeable Stakes

These offer a step up in precision and control, using a lever mechanism and swappable tips (stakes) for different hand types.

• Bergeon 5378 – Includes a stable base and several high-quality tips for different hand sizes. Offers better vertical alignment and stability than handheld options.
• Horotec 05.031 – A similar Swiss-made option, often praised for smooth operation and ergonomic design.

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Tabletop Watch Hand Presses

For professional-level precision and ease of use, tabletop presses are unbeatable.

• Bergeon 8935-1 and Horotec 05.021 – Single-head presses that use interchangeable stakes. Ideal for serious modders who want flawless, repeatable results every time.

• Bergeon 8935-3 / 8935-4 / 8935-5 and Horotec 05.022 / 05.050 – These multi-head presses come pre-fitted with fixed tips for various hand sizes. There’s no need to swap stakes, which saves time and keeps workflow smooth—especially useful if you’re working on multiple watches at once.

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What About Cheaper Options? – Watch Hand Presses

There are many other manufacturers, especially in China, offering hand press tools at a fraction of the cost. These tools are often modeled after Bergeon and Horotec designs and can be found on platforms like AliExpress and eBay.

• Some of these accept genuine Bergeon or Horotec replacement tips, which makes them a smart long-term buy if you plan to upgrade piece by piece.
• Build quality will vary, but for the price, they often offer excellent value for new modders or those only working on a few watches a year.

If you’re just getting started with Seikomodding, picking up one of these budget-friendly handheld is a sensible move. You’ll learn the process without overspending—and you can always upgrade your setup as your skills and projects grow.

Budget Friendly options:

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The Chinese Bergeon 8935 Clone – Watch Hand Press

For newcomers to Seiko modding, a reliable hand-setting press can make all the difference when installing hands with precision and avoiding dial or movement damage. One tool that’s gaining popularity among beginners is a Chinese-manufactured clone of the Bergeon 8935-4 tabletop hand press. This model typically includes four interchangeable nylon dies, offering solid control and even pressure during installation. While we haven’t personally tested this specific clone, we’ve found that many tools in this category offer perfectly adequate build quality for hobbyist-level use.

Some of these clones can even hold up to regular use, though long-term durability can vary. One potential issue is the availability of replacement dies or fittings, which may not always be easy to source. Ideally, the clone is precise enough to accept genuine Bergeon 8935-4 components if needed — though we can’t guarantee compatibility. That said, for the price point and functionality, it’s a worthwhile consideration for beginners looking to upgrade from handheld tools. You can check out our affiliate links below if you’d like to support the site while picking one up.

Some Other Cost Effect Tabletop options for Beginners – Watch Hand Presses

Final Thoughts – Watch Hand Presses

A quality hand press helps ensure that your hands sit flat, aligned, and secure—key for both function and aesthetics. Whether you’re using a simple hand tool or a professional-grade press, having the right gear makes all the difference.

For casual modders or those building their first watch, an affordable handheld tool or far east-made alternative is a great place to start. For experienced modders or professionals, a tabletop press with multiple heads will save time, increase precision, and elevate the entire hand-setting process.

Our Honest Review – Watch Hand Presses

We’ve personally used a range of hand-setting tools in our modding projects, and while we haven’t yet tried a full tabletop press like the Bergeon 8935-4, we do have hands-on experience with several other popular tools: the Horotec 05.020, Bergeon 7404, Bergeon 5378, and various Chinese clones of the Bergeon 7404 and 5378.

Among the handheld options, the Horotec 05.020 is our favorite—it has a smoother finish and a more refined feel than the Bergeon 7404. That said, the 7404 has served us reliably on many production watches and mods showcased here on the site.

We’ve also used the Bergeon 5378 alongside an older clone of this model. Both are functionally suitable, but the Bergeon 5378 is leaps and bounds ahead in quality, precision, and overall handling. If you’re planning to use this type of tool regularly, the real deal is worth the extra cost.

As for the Chinese clones, they can absolutely get the job done, especially for hobbyists. The clone stakes often need a bit of honing, but many accept genuine Bergeon replacements—which adds flexibility. Do note, though, that some users have reported issues with clone stakes being loose, so compatibility isn’t always guaranteed.

In short, if you’re modding regularly or want a tool that will last, Horotec and Bergeon tools are top-tier. But if you’re just getting started or mod occasionally, a clone can still deliver solid performance—just keep your expectations realistic.

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.