- 25/4/18
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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!
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!