Cartier / Ballon Bleu
Cartier Ballon Bleu
Collection profile · 2007
Introduced in 2007, the Cartier Ballon Bleu reimagines the round watch through a doubly convex case and a blue cabochon crown tucked into a protective arc at 3 o’clock, blending Cartier’s jewelry sensibility with a distinctly modern silhouette.
Collection shots
Pronunciation & name
bah-LOHN BLUH
Why it matters
The Ballon Bleu matters because it became Cartier’s defining modern round watch, translating the maison’s Roman numerals, blue cabochon, and jewelry-first design language into a softer, contemporary form that proved enormously popular across genders, sizes, and materials.
Key references
Collection timeline
- 2007 — Cartier introduces the Ballon Bleu, a new round watch design built around a recessed blue cabochon crown protected by a metal arc.
- 2021 — Cartier expands the modern line with a new 40 mm Ballon Bleu powered by the in-house automatic calibre 1847 MC and fitted with an interchangeable bracelet/strap system.
- 2024 — The current Ballon Bleu collection continues in Cartier’s official catalog with steel, gold, gem-set, and leather-strap variants, including pieces marked as new on Cartier’s collection page.
News
- Ballon Bleu created from a new vision of roundness 2007 — Cartier’s own Ballon de Cartier history page states that the Ballon Bleu was created in 2007 from a new vision of roundness and highlights the integrated crown beneath a protective arc as the collection’s defining feature. ↗
- Richemont cites successful launch of Ballon Bleu collection 2007 — Richemont’s interim results materials for 2007–2008 list Ballon Bleu de Cartier among the group’s main product launches and say Cartier benefited from the successful launch of the Ballon Bleu watch collection. ↗
- Cartier introduces the Ballon Bleu 40 mm with in-house movement 2021 — Hodinkee reported Cartier’s 40 mm Ballon Bleu update in April 2021, noting the adoption of the automatic 1847 MC movement and calling the release a major refresh of one of Cartier’s best-known modern watches. ↗
- Watches and Wonders 2021 brings a new 40 mm Ballon Bleu 2021 — Revolution covered Cartier’s 2021 Ballon Bleu launch and emphasized that the new 40 mm size added a fresh automatic option between the older 36 mm and 42 mm automatic models. ↗
- Monochrome details the new Ballon Bleu 40 mm 2021 — Monochrome highlighted the 2021 Ballon Bleu 40 mm as a collection update that preserved the familiar case shape while adding an interchangeable bracelet system and modernized mechanics. ↗
- Ballon Bleu remains an active Cartier collection with new-tagged references 2024 — Cartier’s current Ballon Bleu collection page shows the line still actively offered in multiple sizes and materials, with some models marked as new, confirming the collection’s ongoing relevance in the catalog. ↗
Fun facts
Collector note 1
The Ballon Bleu was a notable departure from Cartier’s best-known rectangular shapes like the Tank and Santos, yet it still feels unmistakably Cartier because of the Roman numerals, blue crown, and sword hands.
Collector note 2
The collection’s name points to its blue cabochon crown and balloon-like convex case architecture, making the crown guard one of the few design elements that doubles as both protection and brand signature.
FAQ
When was the Cartier Ballon Bleu introduced?
Cartier’s official history for the collection says the Ballon Bleu was created in 2007.
What defines a Ballon Bleu visually?
Its signature trait is the blue cabochon crown recessed into the case and protected by a curved metal arc at 3 o’clock, combined with a rounded, doubly convex profile.
Is the Ballon Bleu available in different sizes?
Yes. Cartier’s current collection includes sizes such as 28 mm, 33 mm, 36 mm, 40 mm, and 42 mm depending on material and movement.
What movements are used in Ballon Bleu watches?
Current Ballon Bleu models span quartz and automatic movements; examples on Cartier’s site include calibre 1853 MC in 33 mm steel models and calibre 1847 MC in 40 mm and 42 mm automatic models.
More from Cartier
- Tank
— Cartier's Tank is the maison's clearest shape language: a rectangular icon built from brancards, Roman numerals, and disciplined proportions that move easily from classic gold dress watch to steel bracelet form. - Santos — The Cartier Santos is one of watchmaking’s foundational wristwatch designs, created in 1904 for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont and distinguished by its square case, exposed bezel screws, Roman numerals, and enduring blend of elegance and practicality across Santos de Cartier and Santos-Dumont lines.
- Panthère de Cartier — Cartier’s Panthère de Cartier is the maison’s signature jewelry-watch hybrid: a square-cased quartz watch integrated into an ultra-flexible bracelet whose supple links evoke the feline movement of Cartier’s emblematic panther. First launched in 1983 and revived in 2017, it remains one of the brand’s defining modern icons.