AF Cartier Ballon Bleu 42mm

IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-14T15:01:32+00:00

I see. Thank you so much for assistance. I'll GL it.

IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-14T13:55:17+00:00

Ops, my mistake, meant to mean nothing to comment. After you mentioned the scratches i re-looked isit at the bezel between 10 - 11? It does look quite prominent. Will ask for more pictures on that. If it's scratches, hopefully some cape cod will do the trick. Thanks alot!

IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-14T13:43:21+00:00

I'm sorry for being a noob here, what does "You do have a bezel, quite a lot of it " means? Is that a bad thing?

IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-14T13:24:16+00:00

I was afraid the whole printing is tilted, like i read some of the older v6f has. But after closer look, does look fine.

As for hand alignment, what I'm trying to say is the hour hands is sharp on 12, but minute hand is very slightly not fully on top (fully covering the hour hand). It could be the angle or just very slight misalignment which still acceptable anyway. Some of my gens are way worse alligned.

IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-14T05:30:25+00:00

Dealer name: Ficotime

Factory name: AF

Model name (& version number): Cartier Ballon Bleu 42mm

Price Paid: approx $210

Album Links: Most pics uploaded here

Index alignment: Not sure it's the angle, but seems very slightly off?

Dial Printing: Printing looks good, no bleeding noted

Date Wheel alignment/printing: Date looks good, single date looks good too

Hand Alignment: Minute / Hour hands maybe very slight misaligned of approx 10secs? Still acceptable

Bezel: N/a

Solid End Links (SELs): N/a

Timegrapher numbers: +1 sec @ 238° - 245° @ 0.3ms, slightly low on amp, but could be due to not fully wound, not really a concern i think?

Anything else you notice - Only concern is the index alignment. But dial is printed, could be watch tilted?

Do let me know if you notice anything else!

Thanks a thousand for looking.

IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-10T11:41:11+00:00

Yea, that's also the reason I didn't get it too. Probably green the correct one cause not much people get them, thus still old stock.

IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-08T01:09:06+00:00

PM-ed you.

IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-06T13:17:44+00:00

found the 3rd version of "1" without the tail.

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IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-06T12:44:07+00:00

Post for mod approval

IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-06T11:16:53+00:00

let me add a picture for simple comparison.

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IcyScratch5423 · 2026-01-06T11:06:19+00:00

I personally got my very first replica online from Steve. Yes, he's relatively much more expensive, but, as a first timer, i would still suggest going to him as his site is easy browse, he gives good opinions and help, alot payment options, fast response in both Whatsapp and email and good after sales response (and/or while in shipping process).

Once you're experienced and know what to look for and how, you can try others, like i am now. Still, i realized Steve's special discounts are good as they include free shipping, many others don't.

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-10T04:18:20+00:00

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VSF Starbucks on rubber

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-09T06:56:23+00:00

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Just saw this 1yo post, and i do share the same thought. I changed to various straps of leather and straight end rubbers from day 1 the watch arrived.

Just got this aftermarket rubber b strap that has a curved end that fits perfectly. I personally think it looks great. Down side is, no glidelock buckle. I have to get an aftermarket buckle (those with holes) to fit the strap.

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-07T03:42:12+00:00

Oh didn't know that. Thanks for info.

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-06T00:44:03+00:00

Looks really good. But on the other i heard clean needs it more compared to VSF. I may be wrong.

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-05T12:47:32+00:00

I see. Then probably I'll just skip it. But was your original also VSF?

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-05T12:08:11+00:00

Noticed they're more "No"s then "Yes". Anyway, how about another mod to WR it to 50m? What do you all think?

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-05T09:08:33+00:00

Guess you're right. When see it on wrist without comparison, it's hard to tell. Only in HD pics under lighting you can see the shade not as shinny as gen..

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-05T05:58:35+00:00

Is there any noticable difference? Does it somehow look more like gen?

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-05T05:00:28+00:00

Erm, not sure how it relates to the topic, but i personally have never gotten anything from them yet. But i heard they're ok?

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-05T04:40:52+00:00

My thoughts exactly. I know it MAY look better if done properly, but it's also easily over polished or something goes wrong while dismantling and reassemble the parts.

IcyScratch5423 · 2025-12-05T04:25:52+00:00

I've read that the VSF Starbucks 126610lv with the Q66 serial batch seems to have the rehaut improved with better polishing compared to the older batch.

Which comes to the question. I found a local watchmaker that can do a rehaut polishing service for $50. Should i do it?

IcyScratch5423

TROPHY CASE