Quick Answer
A "fake Ballon Bleu 33708" is a counterfeit Cartier Ballon Bleu. The number 33708 is a reference stamp that appears on the case back, not a model name, and Cartier does not sell "first copies" or "mirror quality" versions of this watch. Any listing that uses that phrase is describing a replica. If you already own or are considering one, the checks below show what to inspect and how to get a real answer.
Prerequisites
- A 10x jeweler loupe
- Digital calipers and a postal scale
- Diffused bright light and a phone with macro mode
- Reference photos of a genuine Ballon Bleu in the same case size
- The seller's photos, listing text, and any serial or reference numbers
How to Inspect a Suspected Ballon Bleu
- Set the watch on a clean surface under diffused light and photograph the case back at macro distance.
- Read the engraved reference and serial, then compare them character by character with the numbers on the seller's card or receipt.
- Measure the case diameter across the bezel with calipers and compare it to the size stated in the listing.
- Weigh the watch head on a postal scale and compare the figure to a genuine example of the same size.
- Examine the crown cabochon with the loupe and note the color, the cut, and how far it sits above the crown.
- Study the dial printing at 10x, checking letter spacing, stroke weight, and whether the text sits flat against the surface.
- Look at the guilloché pattern under raking light and confirm the lines are evenly spaced and concentric.
- Check the hands for a true blued-steel finish and the correct length relative to the minute track.
- Inspect the crystal edge for an anti-reflective coating and compare reflections with a genuine watch.
- Turn the crown slowly and feel for smooth winding or setting with no grit or looseness.
- Open the bracelet clasp and inspect the engraving depth and the fit of the links.
- Ask a watchmaker to remove the case back and identify the movement by caliber number and finish.
- Take the watch to a Cartier boutique or authorized service center and request written verification.
Red Flags in "First Copy" Listings
- Price far below the market for a used genuine watch of the same size
- Photos lifted from auction houses or dealer sites instead of original shots
- Stock phrases such as "1:1," "AAA," or "same factory" with no serial information
- Water resistance claims that no workshop will back in writing
- Seller refuses an in-person inspection or a third-party authentication
Legal and Service Reality
Counterfeit watches infringe registered trademarks, and shipments can be seized and destroyed at the border. Cartier and other brands do not service counterfeit watches, so a replica has no parts support, no warranty, and no resale market. A jeweler who opens the case can usually confirm the movement and finish within minutes, which is the fastest way to settle the question.
When to Walk Away
If the seller will not allow an inspection by a watchmaker, if the serial and reference do not match the paperwork, or if the movement does not match the caliber Cartier used for that reference, treat the watch as counterfeit and end the transaction. No discount is worth a watch that cannot be serviced or resold.