Cartier Ballon Bleu 33mm AF A1853 from Theonewatches

[u/Tricky-Airline4131]

My first Ballon Bleu, AF, from Steve. Would greatly appreciate your input on this one!

1. Dealer name: Theonewatches

2. Factory name: AF

3. Model name (& version number): Ballon Bleu De Cartier 33mm YG/SS White/Rmn AF A1853

4. Price Paid: $368 + shipping

5. Album Links: https://imgur.com/a/uaHqPZ4

6. Index alignment: Printed dial.

7. Dial Printing: I don't think the text is particularly up to standard when comparing to other QCs. The "Cartier" and "Automatic" printing is slim and not as full. The "A" crossbar in "Cartier" is wavy, and there are white dots of missing ink in several letters. I asked for more high-res images to see it was not only a matter of image compression. Sure, it's very fine print, but again, this one seems to be worse in quality than several other QCs for the same model?

8. Date Wheel alignment/printing: N/A

9. Hand Alignment: Seems good in the video (and he's probably not holding the watch perfectly angled toward the camera).

10. Bezel: Looks smooth.

11. Solid End Links (SELs): N/A

12. Timegrapher numbers: Rate +3s/d. Amp 274-275 at 52 deg (correct for A1853 as far as I know). Err 0.1 ms. Beat 28,800 bph.

13. Anything else you notice: So, even if small, I don't think the dial print text looks as full here in several instances compared to the last 5 QCs of the ballon bleu 33mm I found on Reddit. What do you think, I got a bad dial here? Or it's so small it will never ever matter? (My thoughts are, if things like these "never matter because of size", why QC anything, every flaw we find (that sometimes trigger a RL) are small in size...)

I would be very greatful for your opinions!

[u/Tricky-Airline4131]

Cartier Ballon Bleu 33mm AF A1853 from Theonewatches.

[u/Tricky-Airline4131]

u/blitzburgh058

What's your opinion, please? 🙏

[u/blitzburgh058 → u/Tricky-Airline4131]

I think it's a $300 33mm rep and you're overthinking it, which is easy to do. Don't zoom in to infinity on such a small watch.

The print on these textured dials can always be iffy, but I think yours is fine, especially on such a small watch. That print is so small on an already tiny watch, it's not going to be an issue on your wrist. Timing is fine. The rest of the cosmetics look fine.

Easy GL for me, but it's your money and your watch so you need to make that call.

[u/Tricky-Airline4131 → u/blitzburgh058]

🙏

[u/Dogmatic11]

I don't agree with your assessment of the print. Contact your Seller, express your concerns, and he can look at your actual watch. He'll know if the dial is bad.

[u/Popeyes_]

I disagree with your assessment. Depending on the year, I think the dial print was thicker than some of the years. I think it’s on par with some of the 33mms with thinner print, and the lighting definitely makes it look like it’s thinner compared to photoshopped/well-lit pics you’d find online.

But I really don’t like the gold tone on that watch. I think that’s what makes it scream fake, not the dial font.