Answer: a counterfeit Cartier Ballon Bleu sold as model 33672 fails on four checks. The crown cabochon is glass or plastic, not blue synthetic spinel. The dial printing is flat and the guilloche rings drift off center. The case back engraving is shallow and the stamped number does not follow Cartier format. A watchmaker with a case opener confirms it in 10 minutes.
What 33672 means
Cartier publishes Ballon Bleu references in a W-prefix format. The 33 mm steel model is W6920071. The 36 mm steel model is W69012Z3. A five digit number such as 33672 does not match that format. It appears in marketplace titles and in some case back stamps on copies. Treat any listing that uses 33672 as the model name as unverified. Ask the seller for a clear case back photo and the W-number.
fake cartier ballon bleu model 33672
Four checks with no tools
- Crown. The fluted crown guard protects a crown set with a blue cabochon. Real stones show a deep blue with a slight dome and no mold line. Fakes use painted glass or plastic. The blue reads purple under LED light.
- Dial. Roman numerals on the Ballon Bleu are printed, not applied. The guilloche pattern is concentric and follows the dial curve. Copies print a flat, repeating pattern and the VII numeral sits off axis.
- Hands. Sword hands on the original are blued steel with a polished bevel. Copies use painted or anodized metal. Look at the edge under a phone light.
- Crystal. Cartier fits sapphire. A drop of water beads on sapphire and spreads on mineral glass. This test is rough and not conclusive.
Case back and movement
The case back carries the Cartier name, the reference, a serial, and metal hallmarks. Stamping on fakes is shallow and the font is wider than Cartier's. The Ballon Bleu 36 mm automatic uses caliber 076, based on the ETA 2892-A2. Copies often use a Chinese automatic with a rotor that shows coarse brushing and no Geneva stripes. Open the back with a watchmaker present.
replica cartier ballon bleu 33672
Weight and finishing
A steel Ballon Bleu 36 mm on a bracelet has heft. Copies often weigh 20 to 30 g less because the case and links are hollow. Bracelet screws on the original sit flush. Copies show proud screw heads and burred slots.
replica cartier ballon bleu 33672
Limits of photos
Listings hide the parts that matter. A photo cannot show a movement, a serial stamp depth, or a cabochon under magnification. Buy with a return window, or meet at a watchmaker. Cartier boutiques and authorized service centers verify watches for a fee. Independent appraisers charge less and work faster.