Katerchen Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcollector Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vafarmer70 Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Curious to see what you come up with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katerchen Posted May 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcollector Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katerchen Posted May 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcollector Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 new VC dial, hmmm yes, I know how to be a dummy. I'll make it work somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 George, After reading this post, my brain is feeling like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katerchen Posted May 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 @ubi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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