Cartier · Collection
Ballon Bleu de Cartier
Four sizes on one case curve. The 33 mm is the size most buyers ask about and the one where a thick case shows first; the 42 mm is where the crown guard either sits flush or gives itself away.
Four sizes on one case curve. The 33 mm is the size most buyers ask about and the one where a thick case shows first; the 42 mm is where the crown guard either sits flush or gives itself away.
The Ballon Bleu is a round case with a curved flank and a crown set inside a guard that is built into the case, and that guard is what most copies get wrong. Four sizes are quoted: 28 mm, 33 mm, 36.6 mm and 42 mm, from $379 with shipping included. The 33 mm is the size most buyers ask about and the one where a thick case shows first. We photograph the profile and the dial at a raking angle before dispatch.
Checked on 2026-10-19
The Ballon Bleu is a round case with a curved flank, and the crown sits inside a guard that the reference builds into the case rather than onto it. That single detail decides most of the impression. On a weak copy the guard stands proud, the flank flattens, and the watch reads as a round watch with a bump on the side.
The dial has concentric flinqué rings engraved into the metal and then lacquered. Rings that are printed rather than engraved disappear in raking light, so we photograph the dial from the side as well as straight on.
Size changes what to look at. At 28 mm the printing is small enough that thickness and hand length matter most. At 42 mm the dial is large enough that a soft crown guard is visible across a table.
Five points, in the order they are noticed.
Built into the case, flush at the top and bottom. A guard that stands off the case is the first thing to look at.
Curved, not chamfered. Run a finger from the bezel to the case back: it should feel like one continuous curve.
Engraved, then lacquered. Printed rings go flat in side light and lose the sunray effect entirely.
At 33 mm the hands sit close to the dial. A raised stack is visible in profile and pushes the crystal up.
The number that decides the wrist feel. We measure it and send the figure with the photographs rather than quoting the reference's.
Color and height. A pale or domed cabochon dates the watch faster than any other part.
Only figures the supply line states. Unconfirmed numbers are left out.
| Reference | Case | Movement | Bracelet | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSBB0073 | 28 mm steel | Quartz | Steel or leather | $379 |
| W69012 (33 mm) | 33 mm steel | Automatic, 1847 MC type | Steel bracelet | $429 |
| W69200 (36.6 mm) | 36.6 mm steel | Automatic, 1847 MC type | Steel bracelet | $449 |
| WSBB0049 (42 mm) | 42 mm steel or two-tone | Automatic, 1847 MC type | Steel or leather | $469 |
Case height measured, then photographed from the side so the flank curve and the guard height are both visible.
Straight on and at a raking angle, which is the only way to show whether the flinqué rings are engraved.
Tag, warranty card and case back side by side. Three matching codes or the watch goes back to the line.
33 mm on a 6 to 7 inch wrist, 42 mm above 7.5 inches. 36.6 mm sits between them and suits a wrist that finds 33 too small and 42 too heavy.
It is sold that way but it wears like a small dress watch. Quartz, so it is thinner and lighter than the automatics.
Two-tone adds plating, and plating color is the one thing a photograph cannot settle. We send a daylight photo of the actual watch before dispatch.
Links are removable. Tell us your wrist measurement in the order notes and we size it before shipping.
Two to four days to confirm the batch, seven to twelve days in transit. QC photographs come before dispatch.
