Short answer
A replica Ballon Bleu medium is a copy of the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier in the 33 mm case. Cartier builds the line in four sizes: 28 mm, 33 mm, 36 mm, and 42 mm. The 33 mm is the medium. It is the most copied size in the line. Replica prices run about $60 to $400. The steel automatic from Cartier lists near $6,400. That gap drives the market.
The four Cartier sizes
- 28 mm: small. Quartz movement.
- 33 mm: medium. Quartz and automatic movements.
- 36 mm: large. Automatic movement.
- 42 mm: automatic movement. Men's size.
The medium case measures 33 mm across, crown excluded. Thickness is about 9.9 mm on the automatic. Aftermarket straps list a 16 mm lug width. Cartier rates water resistance at 30 m for the line.
Marks of the model
- Blue cabochon in a fluted crown at 3 o'clock.
- Roman numerals on a guilloché dial.
- The word CARTIER hidden inside the VII numeral.
- Sword hands and a sapphire crystal.
The crown guard arcs over the cabochon. That arc gives the line its name. Copies get the crown shape wrong in many cases. A flat or loose cabochon is a fail. So is a VII numeral with no hidden text.
Movements
Genuine medium watches ship two ways. Quartz versions use a battery cell. Automatic versions use the Cartier 076 calibre, a 25-jewel movement tied to the ETA 2671 base. Replicas follow the same split. Low tier copies use a Japanese or Swiss quartz cell. Mid and top tier copies use a Chinese automatic (A2671 or A2824) or a Swiss ETA. Automatic copies sit thicker and cost more. Ask the seller for the movement name and a photo of the caseback.
How to check one
- Measure the case at 3 to 9 o'clock. It should read 33 mm. The crown does not count.
- Check thickness. Near 10 mm points to automatic. Under 8.5 mm points to quartz.
- Look at the dial print under 10x. Replica text smears at the edges.
- Turn the crown. A quartz second hand ticks once per second. An automatic hand sweeps.
- Read the caseback. Reference numbers differ by dial and movement. The steel automatic medium is listed as W6920046 in several catalogs.
Price bands
- Quartz copy, steel: $60 to $150.
- Automatic copy, mid tier: $150 to $250.
- Automatic copy, top tier: $250 to $400.
- Gold plated or solid gold copy: $400 and up.
Prices change. Ask for current stock, a timestamp, and a video before payment.
Legal status in the US
Replica watches are counterfeit goods. US Customs can seize shipments. Trafficking in counterfeit goods carries penalties under 18 U.S.C. 2320. Resale as genuine is a separate offense. Buyers carry the risk. No seller warranty exists on this market.