The "replica Ballon Bleu 33660" is a counterfeit or lookalike version of the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier, a round dress watch defined by its domed case, blue cabochon crown, and guilloché dial. The number 33660 is a catalog SKU used by replica sellers, not an official Cartier reference. Genuine 33 mm steel automatics carry W-prefixed codes such as W69012Z4, so any listing built around 33660 is describing a copy, and the specs worth comparing against are those of the real 33 mm Ballon Bleu.
What does 33660 refer to on a Ballon Bleu?
Cartier identifies its watches with a W reference plus a case number stamped inside the caseback. The Ballon Bleu line spans roughly 28 mm through 42 mm, with the 33 mm automatic and the 36 mm automatic as the most copied sizes.
The five-digit 33660 shows up mainly in wholesale and marketplace listings for replica stock, where it works as an internal product code. Since it is not a Cartier reference, two sellers can attach 33660 to builds that differ in case thickness, movement, and dial finish.
Genuine Ballon Bleu 33 mm specs to compare against
- Steel case, about 33 mm across and roughly 9.9 mm thick
- Fluted crown set with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon, protected by a crown guard
- Silvered guilloché dial, Roman numerals, blued steel sword hands, date at 3 o'clock
- Self-winding Cartier caliber 076 movement
- Water resistance around 30 m
- Steel bracelet with a hidden folding clasp
Those figures describe the 33 mm automatic stainless steel model, the version most replica listings label 33660. Larger or gem-set versions use different references and different proportions.
How close do replica versions get to the original?
Case and crown
Replicas often match the 33 mm diameter on paper but run 1 to 2 mm thicker because the clone movement sits deeper in the case, which changes how the watch sits on the wrist. The cabochon is the clearest tell: genuine ones are a deep, evenly cut stone that glows under light, while copies use glass or dyed resin that looks flat and cloudy.
Dial and hands
The original guilloché pattern is cut in fine concentric rings that stay sharp all the way to the center, while printed or stamped copies blur as they approach the middle. Blued steel hands have a metallic sheen on the real watch, and painted hands look matte and slightly thick.
Movement
A genuine 33 mm automatic runs the thin Cartier 076 caliber. Replica movements are usually Chinese clones of the ETA 2671 or a Miyota design, often with rougher finishing and a different beat rate. Ask for a movement photo and a timegrapher reading before comparing anything else.
What should you check before buying any Ballon Bleu?
- Measure case thickness with calipers, since copies gain height.
- Inspect the cabochon color and how it catches light.
- Compare the date font, window bevel, and Roman numeral spacing.
- Weigh the watch, because steel cases cluster around a known range.
- Check caseback engraving depth and bracelet screw heads.
- Confirm serviceability, since Cartier will not service counterfeits and many independent watchmakers decline them too.
Are replica Ballon Bleu watches legal in the United States?
No. Selling or importing counterfeit goods violates US trademark law, and Customs seizes counterfeit watches at the border on a routine basis. Cartier will not authenticate or repair a counterfeit, and its resale value is effectively zero.
FAQ
Does 33660 appear on genuine Cartier watches?
Genuine Ballon Bleu casebacks carry a W-prefixed reference and a case number. 33660 is not a documented Cartier reference for this model line.
How can you spot a fake Ballon Bleu 33 mm quickly?
Check three things: overall thickness, the depth and color of the blue cabochon, and the sharpness of the dial's guilloché rings near the center. Replicas miss on at least one of them.
Why does the crown matter so much on this model?
The fluted crown and its blue cabochon are the signature design element of the Ballon Bleu, and they are the hardest part to reproduce cheaply. A flat or oversize cabochon is the fastest way to identify a copy.
Bottom line
The 33660 label points to a replica of the 33 mm Cartier Ballon Bleu, not to a Cartier reference of its own. Judge any example against the real specs: 33 mm steel case, thin automatic movement, deep blue cabochon, and a dial with clean concentric finishing.