Balance Tack

A balance tack serves as a place to put your balance assembly after removal from the watch movement.

Here is how Bergeon describes their version of this tool:

“Enables the watchmaker to position the balance-cock with his balance-spring, avoiding to pollute the oil on the staff pivot, during the corrections.” –Source

Like many things in watches, balance tacks are love ’em or hate ’em in the community – but keep in mind that it largely comes down to what type of work the person is performing.

For example, someone doing some custom mods or swapping a complete and assembled balance bridge probably doesn’t need a fancy balance holder, but someone working on restoring vintage pocket watches may find the tool useful to hold the balance when making adjustments.

Common names for this tool:

• Balance cock support tool
• Balance tack
• Balance stand
• Balance holder

Economy Grade:

The economy balance tack shown here is an inexpensive brass tool available on Amazon and AliExpress.

It arrives in a small baggie with the spike disassembled from the base.

To assemble, you simply screw the spike into the base.

Specs: The base diameter 31mm. With the spike screwed in, it is about 35mm tall. Weighing in at 38 grams / 1.3 ounces.

Professional Grade:

As with actual watches, the factories in China also clone/copy/knock-off watchmaking tools. Should we call these “homage” tools?

The economy version above is very similar to the Bergeon 7995 – which Bergeon calls a “balance-cock support”.

Funny Note: Bergeon apparently uses a translator on their site and the title of the product is: “Rooster support”. Get it? Rooster, as in “cock” aka adult male chicken (or, in this instance, “balance cock”).

Alternatives:

An alternative to using a balance tack is to simply place the balance cock on its back in a covered parts tray. It’s not as eye-catching for your Instagram post, but it’s what most watch technicians do.

If you really want a balance holder but are low on funds, you could always make yourself a poor man’s balance cock tool with some Rodico and a toothpic!

Prices:

At the time of this post, the made in China economy version was found priced between $6.95 and $12.95 (buy it here – there may be other styles here).

The Swiss made Bergeon 7995 was found from $36.95 to $48.95 (buy it here).

Toothpick and Rodico: Priceless.

Pros and Cons:

In summary, here are some things to think about when deciding to purchase a balance tack for your watchmaking bench.

Pros:

• It helps hold the balance in place while inspecting or making adjustments such as weights, etc.
• It can help the hairspring coils dry faster after a One-Dip bath.
• It makes for a cool bench prop and to get good pics of a balance hanging out.

Cons:

• Some folks think it adds unnecessary stretch to the balance spring while it is hanging.
• Potentially dangerous to have a sharp pointing spike* sticking up on your bench all the time. Be careful and unscrew it when not in use!

*This thing is really sharp! It’s not the safest tool to leave assembled on your bench when not in use. With the all brass version, the spike itself isn’t easy to see at some angles because the color blends into the base. It makes sense that the Bergeon has a black base for this reason – so if you order one of the economy versions, keep this in mind. All of that aside, I purchased the all brass version for this review because I thought it looked better.

What are your thoughts? Do you use a balance tack (or not) and why? Have any questions about them? Comment below…

Additional Resources:

• Bergeon balance cock support data sheet (pdf)
• More watchmaking tools