Cartier Ballon Bleu Watches
The Ballon Bleu de Cartier
A pre-owned Cartier Ballon Bleu offers one of the Maison’s most recognisable modern designs. Introduced in 2007, the Ballon Bleu was a departure for a house known for its angular Tank and Santos: a perfectly round, domed case that seems to float on the wrist like the balloon it is named for. Its defining feature is the blue sapphire cabochon crown, set into a hooded guard that arcs across the side of the case and integrates seamlessly into the design.
The rest of the watch is unmistakably Cartier: a guilloché dial, curved Roman numerals that follow the contour of the case, a railway minute track, and blued sword-shaped hands. Produced across a wide range of sizes and materials for men and women, the Ballon Bleu has become one of Cartier’s cornerstone collections and a favourite of collectors and public figures alike, among them the Princess of Wales, often seen wearing the 33mm steel model.
Why Buy a Pre-Owned Ballon Bleu?
The secondary market is where the full breadth of the Ballon Bleu lives. Discontinued sizes, retired dial and material combinations, earlier movement generations, and configurations no longer in current production are all available pre-owned and nowhere else. Because the collection has been produced in so many variations since 2007, a used search often turns up exactly the size and metal you want.
Buying pre-owned also calls for careful assessment, particularly of the case, the cabochon crown, and the bracelet, which is precisely the kind of judgment that benefits from watchmakers on site. Every pre-owned Ballon Bleu we sell is verified before it reaches our display case.
Ballon Bleu Sizes
Size is the main decision with the Ballon Bleu, and the collection spans a wide range.
28mm. The smallest case, a delicate women’s size, frequently offered with quartz movements and diamond-set options.
33mm. The popular unisex mid-size, discreet yet substantial, and the size most associated with the collection’s understated everyday appeal.
36mm. A versatile mid-size worn by both men and women, available in quartz and automatic references.
40mm and 42mm. The larger, more assertive sizes, typically automatic and most often chosen by men, offering the fullest expression of the Ballon Bleu’s domed case.
Because the domed case wears differently from a flat one, and sizes and generations vary, trying the Ballon Bleu on is worthwhile. You can schedule an appointment to compare sizes in our showroom.
Materials and Movements
The Ballon Bleu has been produced in stainless steel, two-tone steel and gold, and solid yellow, rose, and white gold, with diamond-set bezels and dials across much of the range. Smaller references often use a Cartier quartz movement, which keeps the case slim, while mid-size and larger references use automatic movements. The most exclusive pieces include the Ballon Bleu Flying Tourbillon.
Pre-Owned Ballon Bleu Prices
Pre-owned Ballon Bleu prices depend on size, metal, and movement. Steel quartz references in the smaller sizes are generally the most accessible entry to the collection, steel automatic references in the mid and larger sizes run higher, and two-tone, solid gold, and diamond-set examples higher still, with the flying tourbillon at the top of the range. Our inventory changes regularly, so contact us if you are looking for a specific size or configuration.
Authenticated and Serviced In-House
Every pre-owned Ballon Bleu we sell is examined by our on-site watchmakers before it is listed. That includes movement testing, verification of reference and serial numbers, assessment of the case and the cabochon crown, and inspection of the bracelet and clasp against factory specifications. As an Authorized Cartier Watch Dealer, our team works on these watches regularly, and every pre-owned Ballon Bleu carries our two-year warranty.
Related Collections
Considering the wider catalogue? The Santos de Cartier is the squared sports watch, and the Panthère de Cartier is the jewellery watch with the brick-link bracelet. You can also browse our full range of pre-owned Cartier watches.
How much is a pre-owned Cartier Ballon Bleu?
Prices depend mainly on size, metal, and movement. Steel quartz references in the smaller sizes are generally the most accessible, steel automatic references in the mid and larger sizes run higher, and two-tone, solid gold, and diamond-set examples cost more, with the flying tourbillon at the top of the range. Condition and completeness also affect the price. Contact us for current pricing on a specific reference.
What size Cartier Ballon Bleu should I buy?
The Ballon Bleu is offered from 28mm to 42mm. The 28mm and 33mm sizes are the most popular with women, with the 33mm being a discreet unisex favourite. The 36mm is a versatile mid-size worn by both men and women, and the 40mm and 42mm are the larger, more assertive sizes typically chosen by men. Because the domed case wears distinctively, trying the size on is worthwhile.
Is the Cartier Ballon Bleu a men's or women's watch?
Both. The Ballon Bleu is one of Cartier’s most balanced collections across genders. The smaller 28mm and 33mm cases are popular with women, the larger 40mm and 42mm cases with men, and the 36mm sits comfortably in between. The design is shared across all sizes, so the choice comes down to fit and proportion rather than a men’s or women’s version.
Does the Cartier Ballon Bleu use a quartz or automatic movement?
Both, depending on the reference. Smaller Ballon Bleu models often use a Cartier quartz movement, which allows a slim case profile ideal for a dress watch, while mid-size and larger references use automatic movements. The most complicated pieces, such as the Ballon Bleu Flying Tourbillon, use mechanical movements. Each of our listings notes the movement.
What is the blue stone on the Cartier Ballon Bleu crown?
It is a blue sapphire cabochon, a polished, dome-cut sapphire set into the winding crown. It is one of Cartier’s signature design elements, used across several of the Maison’s collections, and on the Ballon Bleu it sits within a distinctive hooded guard that arcs across the side of the case, one of the watch’s most recognisable features.
Do your pre-owned Ballon Bleu watches come with a warranty?
Yes. All pre-owned watches from Precision Watches include our two-year international warranty covering mechanical defects, with warranty work handled by our on-site service center.
Can I trade my current watch toward a pre-owned Ballon Bleu?
Yes. We accept trade-ins toward any watch in our inventory. Our team evaluates the brand, condition, and current market demand for your watch, then applies the agreed value to your purchase.
Where can I see pre-owned Cartier Ballon Bleu watches near Philadelphia?
Our showroom is in Lower Gwynedd, PA, roughly 30 minutes north of Philadelphia. We are open Monday through Saturday, and you can schedule an appointment to view watches in person.
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