The replica Ballon Bleu 33660 is a copy of the 36mm Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier, a steel dress watch with a domed case, a blue cabochon crown, and a silver guilloché dial. It is a reproduction, not a genuine Cartier, so it carries no factory warranty and no resale value. What you actually get depends on the movement inside and the grade of the case finish.
What Is the Ballon Bleu 33660?
Reference 33660 points to the 36mm Ballon Bleu de Cartier, the mid-size model Cartier has sold since the mid-2000s. Sellers use the number as shorthand for any 36mm copy of that watch. The real piece comes in steel or 18k gold, with a quartz or automatic Cartier caliber inside.
- Case: about 36mm across, steel or gold-tone
- Crown: fluted, set with a blue cabochon, wrapped by a curved guard
- Dial: silvered flinqué guilloché, Roman numerals, blued sword hands
- Crystal: sapphire on higher grades, mineral glass on entry models
- Strap: steel link bracelet or leather with a deployant clasp
How Do Replica Ballon Bleu 33660 Watches Compare With the Real One?
A top-grade replica gets the outside of the watch close to right. The case profile, curved lugs, crown guard, dial print, and crystal shape all read as Cartier from arm's length. The gaps show up in the movement, the gold content, and the small finishing details.
Case and crown
Better copies use 316L stainless steel with a domed sapphire crystal. The blue cabochon is glass or synthetic spinel, and it can sit a fraction off-center. No replica maker turns out a solid 18k case at replica prices.
Dial and hands
Dial print is the fastest way to grade a copy. Cheap dials have heavy Roman numerals, flat silver paint, and hands that look dipped in blue ink. Good dials use a stamped flinqué pattern and polished blued sword hands.
Movement
Most replica Ballon Bleu 33660 watches run a quartz module or a Japanese automatic such as a Miyota 9015. The best builds use a decorated ETA 2892 clone. None of them match Cartier's in-house caliber, and none come with a factory service plan.
Which Replica Grades Should You Know?
- Economy quartz. Lowest price, light weight, and a seconds hand that ticks once per second. Fine for a costume look, weak under close inspection.
- Mid-tier automatic. Japanese or Chinese automatic movement, sapphire crystal on most listings, and a case that feels solid in the hand.
- High-tier clone. ETA 2892 clone or a decorated Asian automatic, sharper dial print, tighter bracelet fit, and a price that reflects the extra work.
How Does the 36mm Size Compare With Other Ballon Bleu Models?
Cartier builds the Ballon Bleu in several sizes, and the 33660 sits in the middle of that range. Buyers with wrists under 6.5 inches often find the 36mm a good fit. The 42mm adds weight and height on the wrist.
- 33mm: thin case, quartz, best on small wrists
- 36mm (33660): the common middle size, quartz or automatic
- 42mm: automatic, heavier, sits higher off the wrist
How Can You Spot a Weak Replica?
- Shallow caseback engraving that looks printed instead of cut
- A dull or plastic cabochon that leans to one side
- Roman numerals that crowd the dial or use the wrong font weight
- Bracelet links with sharp edges and loose play between them
- A seconds hand that sweeps on a watch sold as quartz, or ticks on one sold as automatic
What Should You Confirm Before You Buy?
Ask for photos of the actual unit, not catalog renders. Get the movement, crystal type, and return window in writing. A seller who refuses any of that is not worth the risk.
- Movement name and country of assembly
- Crystal material: sapphire or mineral glass
- Water resistance claim versus real gasket sealing
- Return window and who pays return shipping
- Spare links or extra strap included
Is a Replica Ballon Bleu 33660 Legal to Own in the US?
Owning a counterfeit watch is not a federal crime in the United States. Importing one can lead to seizure by Customs and Border Protection, and selling one as genuine is fraud. Treat the purchase as a fashion item and make no claim of authenticity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a replica Ballon Bleu 33660 cost?
Price tracks the movement and the finish. Quartz copies sell for the least, and automatic builds with sapphire crystals sell for a few hundred dollars. There is no single market price because the grades vary so much.
Does the replica use a sapphire crystal?
Higher tiers do, and entry models use mineral glass. Mineral glass scratches and shows more glare. Ask the seller for the crystal spec before you pay.
Can a watchmaker service a replica?
Independent shops will swap a quartz module or a Miyota movement. Most will not touch a branded clone because parts are hard to source. Plan on replacement instead of repair.
Will a gold-tone replica wear out?
Plating wears at the crown, lugs, and clasp first. Steel and PVD models hold up longer. A plated watch worn daily shows rub marks within a year.
Is the replica Ballon Bleu 33660 waterproof?
Most copies handle splashes and nothing more. Gaskets on replica cases are the weak point, so keep them out of pools and showers. Never trust a rating printed on the caseback without a pressure test.