What the medium Ballon Bleu is

Cartier sells the Ballon Bleu in four main case sizes. The medium model measures 33 mm across, crown excluded. The large model measures 36 mm. The small model measures 28 mm. Cartier released the line in 2007.

The steel automatic medium, reference W6920046, is 9.96 mm thick. Water resistance is 30 m (3 bar). The crystal is sapphire. The crown sits inside a guard that curves into the case band. A synthetic spinel cabochon caps the crown. It is blue.

The dial is silvered opaline with Roman numerals. Hands are blued steel, sword shaped. A date window sits at 3 o'clock. The 28 mm quartz model has no date.

Replica versions of the 33 mm case

Factories build the medium Ballon Bleu in steel, two-tone, and gold plate. Case diameter on a good replica lands within 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm of 33 mm. Thickness is the harder number. A case built for an ETA 2824 clone or a Miyota 9015 measures 10.5 mm to 11 mm in many samples. That is 0.5 mm to 1 mm over the genuine case.

Movement options:

  • Quartz. Thin, silent, no rotor. Common in the cheapest tier.
  • Miyota 9015. Automatic, 28,800 vph.
  • ETA 2824 clone (A2824). Automatic, 28,800 vph.
  • Seagull ST2130. Automatic, 28,800 vph, made in China.

The genuine caliber 076 is an automatic Cartier movement. Power reserve runs 38 to 42 hours. Replica movements hold 38 to 40 hours on a full wind in most samples.

Details that show first

  • Cabochon color. The genuine part is a deep blue synthetic spinel. Cheap replicas use pale glass or plastic.
  • Dial print. Numeral edges look thick under a loupe on low tiers.
  • Crown guard. The guard is one piece with the case on the genuine. Some replicas show a seam.
  • Date font. Genuine date wheels use a thin sans-serif. Replica fonts run bold or wide.
  • Bracelet gaps. Steel bracelets on the medium use polished center links. Link gaps on the genuine run 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm.

How to check a replica before you buy

Ask for caliper photos. Case diameter, thickness, and weight. A steel 33 mm Ballon Bleu on a steel bracelet weighs over 100 g. A case under 90 g points to a light alloy.

Ask for a photo of the crown cabochon in daylight. Ask for a movement photo. A Miyota 9015 has a gold rotor and a set balance bridge shape. A 2824 clone carries an ETA stamp pattern.

Price bands for the medium size: $120 to $200 for quartz, $250 to $450 for a Miyota or 2824 clone, $450 to $700 for the top tier with a decorated movement and a closer case profile.

Water resistance claims above 30 m on a replica cannot be tested at home. Gaskets in replicas vary. Do not swim with one.