Quick Answer

The replica Ballon Bleu 33660 is a copy of the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 33mm automatic. It uses a 33mm round steel case, a fluted crown nested in a curved guard, a blue synthetic spinel cabochon, a domed silvered dial with Roman numerals, and blued steel sword hands. Most examples sold under this number run a 25-jewel automatic movement in the ETA 2671 family or an Asian clone of it. The watch ships on a steel bracelet or a leather strap and fits wrists from about 5.5 to 7 inches.

Note one thing up front: 33660 is a seller catalog code, not a Cartier reference. The genuine 33mm Ballon Bleu carries references in the W69200xx range. If a listing claims 33660 is an official Cartier number, that listing is sloppy at best.

Prerequisites

  • Measure your wrist with a tape so you know your size in inches.
  • Decide between the steel bracelet and the leather strap before you order, since swapping later costs more.
  • Set a budget band and know what the top and bottom of that band buys in movement quality.
  • Ask the seller for QC photos and a written return window before payment.

Specs That Matter

  • Case: 33mm across, about 9.9mm thick, stainless steel, polished bezel.
  • Crown: fluted, set with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon, partly shielded by the case guard.
  • Dial: silvered, Roman numerals, Cartier wordmark at the 10 o'clock position, "Swiss Made" at 6.
  • Hands: blued steel, sword shaped, reaching the minute track.
  • Crystal: sapphire on better grades, mineral glass on cheap ones.
  • Caseback: solid, engraved, with the model text and serial line.

How to Check a 33660 Before You Pay

  1. Ask for a caliper photo of the case measured across the bezel without the crown.
  2. Zoom on the cabochon and confirm it is a dome, not a flat blue sticker, and that it sits centered in the crown.
  3. Read the dial text and check that the Roman numerals line up with the printed minute track.
  4. Inspect the hand set for even bluing and a sweep second hand that stops when you pull the crown.
  5. Confirm the crown guard curves into the case and the crown turns without grit or wobble.
  6. Request a movement photo through an open caseback or a clear shot of the rotor engraving.
  7. Check the bracelet end links for a tight fit against the lugs and screws rather than push pins.
  8. Ask the seller to state the water resistance claim in writing and to confirm the caseback gasket is fitted.
  9. Get a timestamp in the QC photos so you know the pictures match the watch you will receive.
  10. Pay through a method with buyer protection and keep the chat log until the watch arrives.

Movement Options

Swiss ETA 2671

An 11.5 ligne automatic with a 25-jewel count and a date function. This is the top option for a 33660 and the one worth paying more for. Expect smooth winding and a serviceable parts supply.

Asian 2671 Clone

Looks close to the ETA in shape and finish. Timekeeping is fine when new. Long-term reliability depends on the factory and on whether the movement was regulated before shipping.

Quartz

Cheapest tier. The seconds hand ticks instead of sweeping, which is an instant tell on a watch that should be automatic. Skip it if you care about accuracy to the original.

Common Flaws to Screen For

  • Cabochon off center or the wrong shade of blue.
  • Printed dial text that is too thick or sits on the wrong plane.
  • Caseback engraving with shallow or misspelled text.
  • Bracelet screws with the wrong head type or a loose fit.
  • Crown that binds halfway through winding.

Sizing and Fit

A 33mm case wears larger than the number suggests because of the domed crystal and the wide bezel. On a 6.5 inch wrist it reads as a dress watch with presence. Check the strap width with the seller before you order a spare band, since the 33mm Ballon Bleu uses a narrow lug spacing that generic straps may not fit.

Care and Wear

Treat the water resistance claim as a splash rating unless the seller pressure tested the case. Keep the watch away from strong magnets, which will pull a non-antimagnetic movement off rate. Wind the crown gently and set the date away from the 9 to 3 window to avoid stressing the calendar works. A service every three to five years keeps an ETA-based 33660 running inside a few seconds a day.

Bottom Line

The 33660 is a solid entry into the 33mm Ballon Bleu look when the case size, cabochon, dial print, and movement all check out. Buy the movement tier you can afford, demand QC photos with a timestamp, and confirm the return terms before money changes hands.