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moredhel

Cartier Ballon Bleu 42mm - A2824-2

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moredhel

So I always promised myself to write a review on the watches I received but could never get off my ass and actually do it. So here's my effort.

 

 

I bought my white(more crème actually) face Ballon Bleu from Toro's Specials(A couple of days before the whole PP noobshit fiasco came about, phew), and received in a little less than a week after QC confirmation. Kudos Toro. Fast reply, fast QC and fast shipping.

 

Before we go on, here are the specs from Toro's:

 

CASE: Plated Polish SS

MOVEMENT: Asian Eta 2824-2 Automatic Movement, 25J, 28800bhph

DIMENSIONS: 42mm x 13mm

CRYSTAL: Sapphire

STRAP / BRACELET: SS

 

 

So here are some initial pictures on the outlook of the piece before the emoticons start popping up.

 

Face02.jpg

 

Nice... But absolutely non-existent AR on crystal. AR Rating: 0/10

 

Face01.jpg

 

 

Nevertheless, the design looks good and the finishing of the head solid enough. Case Finishing Rating: 8.5/10

 

Crown01.jpg

 

 

This watch is definitely a smudge magnet. Just a few mins in and marks are all over the place.

Nevertheless, it's still pretty, in a bling bling kinda way.

 

Clean01.jpg

Bottom01.jpg

Crown03.jpg

 

 

CP Setup and Domed Crystal

 

Crystal02.jpg

 

Bracelet fits comfortably, had to file down a link joint side to make the half link fit in. Someone's cutting corners in the bracelet factory. 7.6/10

Bottom02.jpg

 

 

 

 

Surprisingly, the font on the dial looks raised and glossed over, suggesting a touch of finer workmanship (ignoring the pitting on a blown up photo). The hands are also nicely blued. Font Distance rating: 8.5/10

 

Guill01.jpg

Guill02.jpg

 

 

 

The clasp is solidly constructed and looks very rugged when open. Good for functionality, but hardly inline with Cartier's attention to fine details and finishing on their products. The wordings on the clasp is also cheaply etched on, not to mention not being straight.

Removing the markings and refinishing the clasp is sure in queue.

 

Clasp01.jpg

Clasp02.jpg

 

 

The guilloche on the dial looks pretty nice under certain lighting. The design is nicely done but too shallow. Would rate it a 6.8/10

 

Font02.jpg

Font03.jpg

Guill03.jpg

 

Still nice in macro shots.

CP01.jpg

 

 

 

Now the crown seems to be a little too small for this model. I had a hard time running the time to 6 to set the date. Dudes with large fingers, this is definitely not for you. Crown replacement works under consideration.

 

Crown05.jpg

 

 

 

 

Caseback is pretty good with effort made to engrave the wordings properly and a straight downward brush finish. Seems sharp too. Acceptable quality: Rating: 7/10

 

CB02.jpg

 

 

 

 

Now it can't all be sunshine and roses. Here are the few glaring flaws, noticeable with a closer look.

 

 

1) Datewheel is left aligned, also date window and highlight skewed left.

Date01.jpg

 

 

2) Hour Marker ring finishing is sloppy. A line stands out around the edge which just doesn't gel. The ring is also skewed upwards.

 

Font06.jpg

 

 

That's the 3 sloppy workmanship points that's nagging me. And of course, no rep is complete without it's usual pube or in this case, a child's booger:

Dirt01.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

So far, I would rate this watch as it is a 6.8/10.

 

In the works are:

1) WD40 of the bracelet with canabura wax coating

2) Getting rid of the booger on the dial corner

3) Re-aligning the datewheel

4) Getting rid of the clasp etchings and refinishing, perhaps with new engravings

5) Sourcing a gen or larger crown

 

In that order. Will post more pics as I go through the process. By the time I get to (4), this watch probably make a 7.8-8/10

 

Here's a few more shots for your viewing pleasure.

 

CP02.jpg

 

Font05.jpg

 

Font04.jpg

 

 

Cheers!

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SeptemberSun

Fantastic review and a great watch!

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moredhel

Thanks mate! Nice Maratac there too!

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bklynboy

Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :(

 

Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left...

 

Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that!

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moredhel

Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :(

 

Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left...

 

Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that!

 

Aye. The crown's a real bitch to set. Gonna look for one tomorrow. Hopefully not too heavy on the wallet.

 

Sorry to hear about yours. Did you manage to get the stem out of the crown tube?

 

I'll mail you the booger @ 3, foc, for just a dollar shipping. :giggle:

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LightGeek

Great review!

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bklynboy

Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :(

 

Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left...

 

Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that!

 

Aye. The crown's a real bitch to set. Gonna look for one tomorrow. Hopefully not too heavy on the wallet.

 

Sorry to hear about yours. Did you manage to get the stem out of the crown tube?

 

I'll mail you the booger @ 3, foc, for just a dollar shipping. :giggle:

 

Nope, its beyond my reach, must've had a real rough ride

 

Did your's come in a box or a padded envelope?

 

Thanks for the offer on the booger, I'll just wait until school starts again, one of my youngn's will cough it up for me....

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moredhel

Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :(

 

Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left...

 

Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that!

 

Aye. The crown's a real bitch to set. Gonna look for one tomorrow. Hopefully not too heavy on the wallet.

 

Sorry to hear about yours. Did you manage to get the stem out of the crown tube?

 

I'll mail you the booger @ 3, foc, for just a dollar shipping. :giggle:

 

Nope, its beyond my reach, must've had a real rough ride

 

Did your's come in a box or a padded envelope?

 

Thanks for the offer on the booger, I'll just wait until school starts again, one of my youngn's will cough it up for me....

 

Mine came in a box. Together with the Santos 100. Just had to jump on both.

Nicely cushioned with 2 inches of bubblewrap.

 

You took the CB off?

 

Why pay for gen boogers when you have a rep one from the far east? :lmao:

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moredhel

Great review!

 

Thanks LG. First review. Any suggestions and tips would be most welcome.

 

Now about that 1911 Panda..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't have one either! :lol:

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bklynboy

Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :(

 

Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left...

 

Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that!

 

Aye. The crown's a real bitch to set. Gonna look for one tomorrow. Hopefully not too heavy on the wallet.

 

Sorry to hear about yours. Did you manage to get the stem out of the crown tube?

 

I'll mail you the booger @ 3, foc, for just a dollar shipping. :giggle:

 

Nope, its beyond my reach, must've had a real rough ride

 

Did your's come in a box or a padded envelope?

 

Thanks for the offer on the booger, I'll just wait until school starts again, one of my youngn's will cough it up for me....

 

Mine came in a box. Together with the Santos 100. Just had to jump on both.

Nicely cushioned with 2 inches of bubblewrap.

 

You took the CB off?

 

Why pay for gen boogers when you have a rep one from the far east? :lmao:

 

Thanks for helping me crack the code, from now on always order at least 2!

 

The gens booger are free, outside of the occasional copay at Dr's office....

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SeptemberSun

Thanks mate! Nice Maratac there too!

 

Well spotted!

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JJ-Watch-Guy

Thanks for the review, I ordered one myself from TB!

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ssclassa80

Looks nice, been thinking about this one over at Toro's

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koalabear

Saw a friend who bought this recently..make me lemming for one now! Looking around for nice and reliable seller.

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waynacove

Great spot on review, well done. Nice watch by the way ;)) looking forward to see an update version.

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Adamsmith

great review! that's what am i looking for

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karin2014

.....

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Butcher

Great review! Informing and funny as well

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Omar Alberto Mera

Nice watch enjoy it

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Andy-B

[Comments moved to specific thread].

Edited by Andy-B

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Nathanskim113

Nice review! I just got my own from TT! Enjoy it!

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brang1

GODAMNITTOHELLANDBACKAROUND! I asked for BOOGERS in my last order, and only got served up run of the mill Pubes! will these TD's never learn...dammmmm

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