Replica Ballon Bleu 33672 refers to Chinese-made copies of the Cartier Ballon Bleu 36mm, the case that Cartier stamps with reference 3367; the extra "2" in 33672 comes from seller listings, not from Cartier. Quality ranges from $30 quartz copies with plastic cabochons to $400 automatic builds that copy the case shape and dial pattern with care. The gaps show up in the crown guard, the dial printing, and the movement inside.
What does the 3367 reference mean?
Cartier stamps 3367 inside the caseback of the 36mm Ballon Bleu, the mid-size version that sits between the 33mm and the 42mm. The number identifies the case only: dial color, bracelet type, and movement each carry their own reference code, such as W6920046 for the steel automatic. That is why one seller will list "3367" next to a dozen SKUs and why searches for 33672, 3367, and W6920046 all land on the same silhouette.
How much do replica Ballon Bleu 3367 watches cost?
Asking prices cluster into three bands, and each band buys a different level of finish.
- Under $50: quartz movement, printed dial, gold plating that wears through in months. The crown cabochon is molded plastic in the wrong shade of blue.
- $80 to $150: cleaner case polishing, mineral or sapphire glass, Japanese quartz or a low-grade Chinese automatic.
- $250 to $450: clone or modified automatic movement, engraved caseback, cabochon shape and 36mm diameter close to the original.
Past $500 the returns flatten out, and the price starts to overlap with a used entry-level Swiss watch that comes with papers and a service history.
What separates a good replica from a bad one?
Case and crown
The Ballon Bleu is defined by the crown guard that curves around a blue cabochon, and that part is the hardest to copy. Cheap versions have a flat guard and a dome of dyed plastic. Better builds use a synthetic spinel and hold the 36mm diameter within a fraction of a millimeter.
Dial and hands
Genuine dials carry a galvanic guilloché pattern with crisp Roman numerals, and some hide the word Cartier inside the VII numeral. Replicas print the pattern or stamp it shallow, and the hidden signature is either absent or visible from across a room.
Movement
The genuine 3367 runs the Cartier 049, a modified ETA 2892. Replicas use a Miyota copy, a Seagull, a Chinese 2824 clone, or quartz. Ask which movement is inside before you send money for anything above $150.
Bracelet and clasp
End links should meet the lugs with no gaps, and the clasp should close with a firm click. Look at the engraving: clean, correct lettering on the clasp and caseback is one of the fastest ways to sort a careful build from a rushed one.
What should you check before you pay?
- Real photos of the actual watch, not catalog renders. Ask for a shot next to a dated card.
- Caseback engraving and serial. Compare font weight and depth to known genuine photos.
- Crown action. Winding and hand-setting should feel smooth, with no grinding or slack.
- Water resistance claims. Most replicas have thin gaskets and no published test data, so keep them dry.
- A written return policy. Sellers who stop answering after payment are common.
Is buying a replica legal in the US?
Selling counterfeit goods is illegal under the Trademark Counterfeiting Act, and importing them breaks customs law. Buying one for personal use sits in a grey area that varies by state, but the parcel can be seized and destroyed with no refund and no legal recourse for the buyer.
The practical side is just as rough. Cartier will not service a counterfeit, most jewelers will not touch one, and parts do not swap with genuine components. A $300 copy with a failed movement is a $300 loss with no repair path.
Frequently asked questions
Is a replica Ballon Bleu 3367 waterproof?
Treat it as splash-resistant at best. Gaskets are thin and no seller publishes pressure test results, so do not swim or shower with it.
Will a watchmaker service a replica?
Some independent watchmakers will, for a fee, when the movement is a known clone such as a 2824 copy. Brand service centers refuse outright.
Does it come with box and papers?
Sellers often ship a box, booklet, and warranty card, but those are reproductions too. Papers on a replica carry no value and do not make a resale legal.
Can I resell it?
Reselling a counterfeit is where the law is unambiguous, even if you tell the buyer what it is. Keep it or dispose of it.
Bottom line
A replica Ballon Bleu 33672 can pass at arm's length, and the best builds get the case curve and cabochon right. It is still a counterfeit with no warranty, no service path, and real legal exposure for anyone who sells one. If the goal is a 36mm dress watch on a budget, a genuine Seiko or Tissot does the same job with a receipt.