Short answer
The number 33694 is not a Cartier reference. Cartier uses seven-character references that begin with W, such as W6920071 for the 33 mm steel Ballon Bleu de Cartier. The number 33694 appears in dealer and marketplace listings for replica Ballon Bleu watches. It points to a 33 mm case in steel with a blue cabochon crown and a copy movement. Two listings that share the number can hold different movements and different levels of finish.
What the genuine Ballon Bleu is
Cartier launched the Ballon Bleu in 2007. The case is round. A metal guard at 3 o'clock holds the crown. A blue synthetic spinel cabochon caps the crown. Cartier sells the model in steel, gold, and two-tone, in sizes from 28 mm to 46 mm. The 33 mm size is the most copied. Cartier lists the 33 mm in quartz and in automatic. Steel 33 mm models run about $5,000 to $7,000 on cartier.com. Prices change. Check the site for current figures.
What replica listings describe
Listings for a 33 mm replica Ballon Bleu cite these parts:
- Case: 33 mm wide, 9.9 mm to 10.5 mm thick. The genuine case measures 9.9 mm.
- Crystal: mineral glass on low grades, sapphire on higher grades.
- Movement: Chinese quartz, Chinese automatic, or a Swiss ETA 2671 copy. Some sellers label a Chinese automatic "Swiss ETA" with no proof.
- Cabochon: glass or synthetic spinel. The color reads too purple or too dark in many photos.
- Bracelet: steel, butterfly clasp. End link fit varies between batches.
- Weight: 80 g to 105 g in dealer measurements. A genuine 33 mm steel Ballon Bleu on a bracelet weighs about 100 g.
Differences from the genuine watch
- Dial print: the "Cartier" signature and the "Ballon Bleu de Cartier" line sit at different heights on replicas. Font weight differs.
- Guilloché: the dial pattern is stamped on replicas. Cartier cuts it.
- Caseback: engraving depth and letter spacing differ. Reference numbers on replicas repeat or do not match the Cartier list.
- Water resistance: Cartier rates the 33 mm at 30 m. A replica that has not had a pressure test can leak in the shower.
Legal position in the US
A counterfeit watch carries a false trademark. Import into the US is prohibited under 19 U.S.C. 1526. CBP can seize the parcel and assess a civil penalty. Trafficking in counterfeit goods carries criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. 2320. Cartier does not service or authenticate replicas. Resale value is near zero.
Checks before you buy or compare
- Read the reference. Cartier references start with W. A listing that calls 33694 a Cartier reference is wrong.
- Ask for a pressure test result in bar.
- Compare the cabochon color to product photos on cartier.com.
- Weigh the watch. Steel 33 mm with a bracelet lands near 100 g.
- Ask for the movement name and a photo of the rotor. A "Swiss" claim needs a photo to support it.