Fully Reworked Cartel 1675

[hanski]

I challenged myself to rework a Cartel, BP Factory 1675 as cheaply as possibly. With that I present to you a Cartel 1675 transformed to 100% Gen, 1:1, AAAA+, Special Quality specs!

Ha! Kidding. But seriously, here’s what I was able to do...
Parts:
-BP Factory Cartel 1675 with A2813 $150
- Raffles All Red Hand $14
- Esslinger DG3804B $45
Mods:
- CG’s reshaped
- Lugs Narrowed and changers increased
- Case slimmed .7mm (over all thickness with crystal and case back is 13.6mm)
- Case Back Gasket re-grooved
- Bezel machined and reshaped
- Insert Faded
- Dial relumed and textured (applied lume removed)
- Hands relumed
- Case back reworked with flat, brushed center
- Gaskets siliconed
- Case, case back, and bezel repolished
- DWO installed on DG3804B (I noticed it looks off centered in pics - I promise it’s actually centered. I’ll upload a new pic when I have a chance to prove it)
Mods Yet To Be Done:
- Drill lug holes to accept 2mm bars (bits are still en route)
- Age and attach bracelet
For a $200 watch, I think this turned out pretty nice. Is it as good as a $1500 Vietnam build, no! Could it be improved with aftermarket dial, bezel, insert, and crystal, yes! There are some things that could improve the next time I rework a Cartel but overall it was a fun challenge. Let me know what you think.
Thanks for looking!

 

[hanski]

Centered!

 

[Ptolomeo]

Amazing watch!
What is the source of the DWO?

 

[hanski]

Thanks!
Everything (except movement and red hand) including DWO is stock BP Factory (Cartel).

 

[kilowattore]

Working on a tight budget is always a challenge. Well done!
I like the CB especially, I tried that once and I swear it ain't no joke if you're doing it by hand LOL

 

[hanski]

Ha! Thanks! I did the case back by hand - files and sand paper.

 

[zinduna]

Good for you! Turned out really well.


Sent from my iPhone using RWI

 

[eddy@manu]

mine greets you

Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk

 

[Daniel1112]

ooo beautiful watch!!! I love looking at other people's mods and wish I could do such a thing too lol

 

[clacor64]

I should buy a Viet case and put this movement into it, what do you think can come as a measure or serve some adaptation , case http://vintagewatchesmq.com/minhquy/...emart&Itemid= 1, movement https://www.ebay.it/itm/401743523751?ul_noapp=true

 

[gunsmoke16610]

You did a great job. Its nice to see people dive in and transform a cartel!

 

[watchengsketch]

Awesome looking watch!

 

[Solution6]

That's some big work, amazing effort, case looks great.

A thing I'm trying to address is the depth of the dial - reckon this could be improved by shaving the rehaut a bit? of course, lower the plexy as well.

 

[hanski]

That's some big work, amazing effort, case looks great.

A thing I'm trying to address is the depth of the dial - reckon this could be improved by shaving the rehaut a bit? of course, lower the plexy as well.

Doesn’t hurt to try. The most likely issue you’d want to head off is the hands hitting the crystal. Do some measurements ahead of the experiment. And of course post a good how to and such.

 

[mclarendude]

Wowza. Amazing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[manodeoro]

hanski ... you did a REALLY GOOD job so congrats !!!
Plus it looks like you reworked the case by hand and I know that it's definitely NOT easy ...

some suggestions, if I may ...

The crown already sits low on the cartels, and it seems you thinned the case removing material from the down side of the case ... making the crown sit even more low ...
Next time you rework such a case, and if you can have access to a lathe of course, it would be better to slim it on the upper side ... then the crown will sit higher on the case side ...
Plus ... working this way, even if you shave the rehaut a bit to make the dial sit higher, the plexi will still sit high enough above the bezel as the bezel will sit lower itself ... only issue could be about the hands hitting the plexi as you already noted so you should have to proceed step by step and carefully ...

You did a really good job brushing the caseback but you could have used a lower grade sandpaper (though the brushing is often "faded" on those vintage pieces) ...
Brushing with a lower grade is not easy but you can get good results using that method :
- stick the sand paper on a flat surface
- fix a ruler on it
- put the caseback on a movement holder (the flat part of the caseback should protrude about 1 mm)
- slowly draw the caseback on the sandpaper using the ruler as a guide