I've only ever used the dip oilers.  How do the good automatic oilers perform?  Is it  a matter of convenience, like with a fountain pen compared to a nib pen that must be dipped frequently?  Or is there more to it?

But recently I've been restoring pre 60's watches and they don't have shock springs. It's a real pain to lubricate such jewels.

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It's quite amazing just how much this looks like the Bergeon version, even down to the model number, everything including the stand looks identical.  I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out they actually made the Bergson one for them, it's that close. Just a third of the price.

I got a chinese oiler. Very tricky stuff this oiling. The tip is connical and it is 14/100 in diameter.  It wouldn't penetrate the hole down to the cap jewel. I MADE IT THINNER AT THE TIP BUT although it reaches now the cap jewel it does not deposit oil on it. I MADE 10 ATTEMPTS BUT IT ONLY FILLS THE CUP OF THE HOLE JEWEL.  Аll tests were on a rub-in balance bridge. I continue reflecting on the problem. Any idea is welcome.

Had a bit of a play and so far it seems to work well, depositing just the right amount of oil on the jewel, much more accurate than I was managing doing it by hand

His opinion was that it was an unnecessary luxury. He tends to be old school and even makes his own precision oilers from sewing needles.

Rub-in jewels have integrated end stone, out of obsession I am always concerned if I have managed to get enough oil on its end stone, automatic oiler seem assuring to have dispensed that certain amount of oil there,  one can double the amount by pumping twice and the exactness of the amount is a nice control to have.

The smallest size the Chinese offer is 0.8mm how does that compare to the smallest Begeon as Bergeon do not list the actual size of their models.

Well I bit the bullet and got one of the Chinese oilers, about £30 and took about a week to arrive, which is quicker than some UK based sellers manage.

Yes. This is the video that prompted me to look into getting an automatic oiler again. Several years ago I asked my mentor about automatic oilers. His opinion was that it was an unnecessary luxury. He tends to be old school and even makes his own precision oilers from sewing needles.

No, I don't think that is normal for an automatic oiler. The whole point is to get a perfect amount of oil each time the oiler is used and that is not possible if it depends on how long you apply pressure to the button. Are you sure it is actually working like this ?

Have you tried oiling a closed shock jewel through the hole? Mine just leaves a mess and nothing get through the hole to the cap jewel.

I have all kinds and types of automatic oilers, but for normal hole jewels returned to simple oiler and oil cup. Application is much more precise.

Also I would appreciate if someone  who has the original bergeon 1A described the shape of the tip and how much it protrudes when the slide button is at bottom dead center and at upper dead center. My goal is to clarify the general principle of action  and the capillary effects involved.

With the topic now well derailed let's further entertain ourselves looking at what our Host Mark Lovick, the man than runs and pays for this forum, has to say on the subject.

I don't know if any of you have this problem with steel oilers, but here in Singapore, it's so humid that if I leave my oilers uncapped on my bench for a couple of days, it'll start rusting.

No I haven't but watched vwatchie vid. I think the amount of oil he put on endstone was just perfect. well here is the man himself.

I also got a Chinese oiler, the 1A.  I've only used it once so far and it was perfect.  I don't have your problem where the oil keeps flowing, it deposits the same amount of oil each time.

Had a bit of a play and so far it seems to work well, depositing just the right amount of oil on the jewel, much more accurate than I was managing doing it by hand using the normal oilers.

Rub-in jewels have integrated end stone, out of obsession I am always concerned if I have managed to get enough oil on its end stone, automatic oiler seem assuring to have dispensed that certain amount of oil there,  one can double the amount by pumping twice and the exactness of the amount is a nice control to have.

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But recently I've been restoring pre 60's watches and they don't have shock springs. It's a real pain to lubricate such jewels.

I noticed that if I press the oiling pin in or pull back the on the button, oil starts to flow and continues to flow as long as the pin is depressed. i.e. the size of the oil drop is time dependent.

Don't fill too much oil in the reservoir, about half full is all you need. I also removed the needle and gave it a good wash in alcohol. I think it needs the mechanism to be clean and dry for air pressure to equalize between the outside atmosphere and the reservoir.

I understand your teacher's position, i think it's not a strictly necessary tool. What the automatic can't replace is the applicator which is a fine round pin for jewels where is difficult or not practical to separate the cap jewel, e.g. the two small diashock on Seiko, or rubbed in.

I am looking to get an Auto Oiler but at the moment I can't justify the cost of the Bergeon ones at the moment so have been looking at alternatives and came across what look like Clones of the Bergeon tool as seen here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384196684681 It looks identical to the Bergeon even down to the model number, unless they are also making them for Bergeon ;)

I don't think you can really pump in oil in there since the air trapped in prevents that. And any oil left on the flat facing the balance is count productive. So the fine applicator is used to push some oil in the hole.  That is my understanding at least.

In a sense, same story with screw on end stones, you can just screw the end stone on and then oil. Much neater outcome since end stone plate/ holder is sure to move when you try to place it on and oil gets spread around by the old method.

Have you tried oiling a closed shock jewel through the hole? Mine just leaves a mess and nothing get through the hole to the cap jewel.

With the topic now well derailed let's further entertain ourselves looking at what our Host Mark Lovick, the man than runs and pays for this forum, has to say on the subject.