VC Overseas 47040 (2006 Make) - Caseback Issue

[Katerchen]

Good evening Ladies 'n Gentlemen, Guys 'n Gals!

Just some pics about the quality of the engraving in

general and about the Ship-engraving on our reps...

Now THIS is what you want to achieve/hold --->

This is a pic of the gen Ship engraving on the back of

the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ref. 47040.

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THIS is said to be (thank you Lani for letting me "borrow" you pic )

the best engraving so far... Lani often mentioned this was received

thru our famous EddieLee - can be a TW rep though i havent heard

reliable proof yet.

Next Caseback is one of the modern VC OS reps, often advertised as "upgraded new ETA" etc. Version.

I guess this is the most "up to date" version the cartel carries till now.

(No further comment of me regarding the engraving untill you scroll and see for yourself )

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What often has been "gone" in older discussions is that there (still) exists

a rep of CN make with better, i would even say with "the best" engraving so far!

Silix is the dealer that sourced me a case/caseback of this baby.

First the 3 pictures, than well discuss the major differences and possible "solution"

for modders here:

(notice the depth of the engraving and the wooden bars going all the way over the side of the ship)

(notice the nice n shiny mirror finish and for. ex. "the rope" beeing seen over the sails of the ship as on gen)

(flash intended on last pic/notice the difference between the dull/rough area of the sky - like bead blasted and the rest of the ship)

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Unfortunately on most of the older CN reps ive seen with the better/best ship engraving

on the caseback as seen on 3 pics above, most other details where not so good or overall quality of the rep to bad!

There are at least 3 other major issues when only talking about ship engraving to be aware:

1.) Many of the reps have 4 extra "accessory-screws" drilled into the bottom of the watchcase (2 on each side)

which i believe the only purpose is to attach the bracelet "better" to the case.

However this is meant "friendly" or not - it is not accurate!!

Maybe this is meant as friendly as a brunette that did "go blond" by bleaching -

certainly this IS NOT accurate to gen and real blonde!!

2.) Ref# on Caseback are all wrong (49150 - thats for the VC OS Chrono!!)

correct Nr. is 47040 as on the modern style "updated" CN Overseas, sadly this rep

has the flatest and worst engraving (if you can still call that an engraving) of them all...

Without spending a second on consideration - this must be CLEAR to us:

This "modern" VC OS rep with "flat" engraving of the ship (maybe its already sunken??)

must be as much fun as a "flat" brunette or blonde chick, no matter if bleached or not!!

Tastes may differ... Point 3.)

Only some of the VC OS Reps, old Eddielee version and this varies on most of all

versions ive seen on pictures - the screw-hole setting on the caseback IS WRONG!

I have no clue if this happens only at most of the older reps or is totaly eliminated

on the newer ones, so pls dont ask me why.

If you draw an "imaginary line" (and you bet i have experience drawing imaginary lines

with my invisible friends but my marvelous pills are off at the moment) going waaaaaaay

through the crown, following the sea horizon going through the ship (pls dont sink it!)

leaving at the other side of the case, then my dear little friend - the 4 screws

standing close to this straight line should be (as on gen) standing CLOSER to this line

and closer to each other as the other 4 screws of the caseback that are located nearer to

the bracelet! On some reps the entire 8 screws are located totally consistant and even

all over the caseback with the same gap to the next screw that follows... THIS IS WRONG too!

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Possible modding solution:

Get a caseback of the best CN version from a dealer that still carries

this one. Mill/grind down the area surrounding the ship engraving -

leaving a round "coin" with only the ship and the sea.

Mill down the backside (!!!) of the coin so that the ship-coin

gets very thin. If you do fail at this level of the mod by milling down

the wrong/engraved site, your an idiot - contact your local psychologist then

Get the newer "upgraded" ETA version of the cartel with correct ref# on

back and maybe better overall finish. Mill down the inner area of

the caseback, where your flat "sunken" ship is located.

If one does this carefully with a lathe or good milling equipment

the new countersinked area should be able to house and hold your

routed "ship-coin" from the first step mentioned above!

I havent performed this yet, but i guess this is the best and maybe only

way to achieve a good result as a caseback

(leaving engraving per hand aside)

And to state a famous actor i like as Ben Kingsley:

THANKS TO THE AUDIENCE!!

Cheers

George

P.S. And of course... there always IS a f_ucking way!!

[Watchmeister]

Wow, that is an outrageous project. Can't wait to see the results. It is very helpful to know about the better case back too.

[txcollector]

1) Thanks for the best closeup of the gen engraving I've seen so far.

2) I don't understand this statement: "Many of the reps have 4 extra "accessory-screws" drilled into the bottom of the watchcase (2 on each side)"

The screws on mine (cartel) look like the gen (below). The Silix rep case has the screws in the wrong position (close and opposite to the crown) but the number of screws is the same (8 to hold the caseback and 4 to hold the bracelet).

3) I'm trying to get those casebacks. Fingers crossed

4) I don't have a lathe but I'll give it try anyway

Great write up George!!

[vafarmer70]

Curious to see what you come up with

[Katerchen]

I don't understand this statement: "Many of the reps have 4 extra "accessory-screws" drilled into the bottom of the watchcase (2 on each side)"

Thanks Paulo and W!

@P i mean these "mystical" 4 extra screws:

At least 2 dealers i saw on pics do carry these!

And its the latest/modern VC OS make.

Be aware of this issue - am not going to name the dealers,

just be aware, maybe they fixed this issue already?

To bad i am too occupied with other work at the moment,

anyway i guess that i am not going to mod this on my own.

I just dont want to ruin the rep/caseback.

Im might know someone in germany that can mill this

professional for me

P.s. i am not expecting this to be finished soon -

doesnt bother me that much as long as i dont leave

the "road of perfection" lol

B/R

George

[txcollector]

I can tell you that the updated cartel one looks just like the gen (screw wise). I'm glad I don't have that extra set of screws that. That looks sloppy.

I'll post pics later.

[Katerchen]

OK!

hope youll get your caseback soon...

you can than act as "test dummies" for me lol

NO - i dont know why but (instead of hand-engraving) i am 100% sure

that this is doable and will work!

It is only a matter of time untill i compare 2 or 3 offers

and i will send my caseback away for being "milled down"!

My new VC dial screams for an "adequate home"

George

[txcollector]

new VC dial, hmmm

yes, I know how to be a dummy. I'll make it work somehow.

[ubiquitous]

George,

After reading this post, my brain is feeling like

[Katerchen]

@ubi