Cartier Ballon Bleu

The Ballon Bleu transformed Cartier's modern collection by proving that an entirely new design could become as recognizable as the Tank or the Santos. Introduced in 2007, its rounded case, floating crown guard, and fluid lines gave the maison a contemporary icon that remained unmistakably Cartier from every angle.

This Reference W6920033 brings an added sense of warmth to the collection through its elegant combination of stainless steel and 18K rose gold. Measuring 36.6mm, the case strikes a versatile balance on the wrist, while the matching two-tone bracelet—with polished rose gold center links and a concealed folding deployant clasp—extends the watch's flowing silhouette seamlessly beyond the case.

The focal point is its luminous pink mother-of-pearl dial. Alive with subtle shifts in color, it provides a beautiful backdrop for Cartier's signature black Roman numerals, blued steel sword hands, and finely printed chemin-de-fer minute track. Framed by a smooth polished bezel, the dial is complemented by the collection's defining detail: a fluted 18K rose gold crown set within the integrated crown guard and finished with Cartier's signature synthetic blue spinel cabochon.

Powering the watch is Cartier's reliable self-winding mechanical movement, delivering the convenience of automatic winding in a case whose proportions remain refined and elegant enough for daily wear.

The Ballon Bleu occupies a unique place within Cartier's history. Rather than reinterpreting a historic design, it established a new visual language for the maison—one that has become every bit as recognizable as its earliest icons. In this two-tone configuration, paired with the iridescent pink mother-of-pearl dial, the W6920033 perfectly captures Cartier's ability to blend fine jewelry and watchmaking into a single, enduring design.

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.