Cartier Ballon Bleu

Few modern watches have become as instantly recognizable as the Cartier Ballon Bleu. Introduced in 2007, it brought an entirely new silhouette to the maison's watchmaking collection, replacing sharp edges with sweeping curves and transforming one of Cartier's oldest signatures—the blue cabochon crown—into the defining feature of the case itself. It has since become one of the brand's most enduring contemporary icons.

This stainless steel example measures 42mm, the flagship size of the collection, and showcases one of the Ballon Bleu's most striking dial executions. Finished in a rich anthracite-grey sunburst, the dial catches the light with remarkable depth while oversized Roman numerals seem to radiate outward from the center. The recessed central guilloché pattern, sword-shaped hands, and discreet date aperture at three o'clock create a layered composition that is unmistakably Cartier. Encircling the crown, the signature polished crown guard flows seamlessly into the case, preserving the collection's fluid, pebble-like profile.

Powering the watch is a reliable automatic movement, offering the convenience of self-winding performance while maintaining the refined proportions that have become a hallmark of the Ballon Bleu. The watch is paired with its original integrated stainless steel bracelet, secured by a butterfly deployant clasp that continues the case's uninterrupted lines from every angle.

Accompanying the watch is its original Certificate of Origin from the 2010s, an increasingly desirable addition for collectors seeking a bit of provenance.

The Ballon Bleu marked an important chapter in Cartier's history. It demonstrated that the maison could create an entirely new design icon without abandoning the visual language that made its watches famous in the first place. Nearly two decades after its debut, it remains one of the defining luxury sports-dress watches of the modern era—distinctive in profile, unmistakably Cartier, and every bit as relevant today as when it first appeared.

Despite being a purveyor of haute joaillerie, Cartier has had a long tradition of making watches.

It started in 1907, when founder Louis Cartier made what was one of the first wristwatches for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. In the following years, the brand made a name for itself with its most famous wristwatch, the Tank, in all its multitudinous forms.

Cartier introduced the Tank in 1917 — which was supposedly inspired by the Renault FT-17 tanks seen on the battlefields of World War I — with a run of six pieces. (According to legend, these were given to American General John J. Pershing and his staff.) Cartier took the look of the Renault tank's treads and applied it to the watch’s lugs, which were integrated via brancards into the case itself. That first run of six pieces increased to thirty-three by 1920, and by the end of the 20th Century, that number stood well in the hundreds of thousands. Indeed, in sheer volume alone, the Tank — in all its various models — is Cartier's largest line of watches.

The Tank Louis was introduced in 1922, followed close on the heels of the Asian-influenced Tank Chinoise. The Chinoise, released amidst a mania for jewelry inspired by the Orient, has a square rather than rectangular case and lugs that resemble the portico of a Chinese pagoda.

From its debut, the Tank would see many variations, each in keeping with Louis Cartier’s taste for clean lines and perfect symmetry. Each variant — from the original Tank to the Tank Louis to the Cintrée with its flirtatious, curvaceous lines — has its passionate devotees. Rudolph Valentino, that sensual star of the silver screen, insisted on wearing his Tank onscreen in The Son of the Sheik, and Clark Gable, Andy Warhol, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis were among those who sported a one throughout the years.

Other model lines, including the Santos (based upon the original model crafted for Alberto Santos-Dumont) and the Pasha, have developed devoted followers. Indeed, the maison is unique as one of the few jewelry brands to elicit as much passion from collectors as dedicated watch companies.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.