Quick answer

A fake Ballon Bleu 40mm is a replica of the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier in the 40 mm case size. Cartier does not make it and does not sell it. Replica sellers list these watches from about $60 to about $600. Price tracks three things: movement type, case dimensions, and dial finish.

Genuine 40 mm specs

Cartier introduced the Ballon Bleu in 2007. The 40 mm automatic runs the Calibre 049, a Cartier-labeled ETA 2892-A2. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, holds 21 jewels, and carries a power reserve near 42 hours. The steel case measures 40.0 mm across and about 11 mm thick. The crystal is sapphire. The dial carries Roman numerals, a guilloché center, and a date window at 3 o'clock. The crown sits inside a metal guard and holds a blue cabochon. Steel 40 mm models sell near $7,000 at retail. Prices change by year and by strap or bracelet.

Replica tiers

  • Under $100. Quartz movement. The seconds hand ticks once per second. Case width runs 41 to 42 mm. Dial print is flat.
  • $150 to $300. Asian automatic. 28,800 vph. Case width lands within 0.5 mm of the genuine piece. Glass may be mineral.
  • $350 to $600. Clone movement with decorative plates. Sapphire glass with coating. Crown guard closer in shape. Bracelet links are solid steel.

"1:1" and "Swiss made" appear in listings at every price. Both are marketing terms. No replica carries a Cartier warranty, a Cartier serial number, or a Cartier service record.

Checks before you pay

  1. Measure the case with calipers at the bezel edge. Genuine is 40.0 mm.
  2. Count beats. Eight per second means mechanical. One per second means quartz.
  3. Look at the cabochon. It sits inside the guard at 3 o'clock and flush with the metal.
  4. Compare date fonts. Replica print uses thinner strokes and a wider window.
  5. Weigh the watch. Replicas on the same bracelet run lighter than the genuine piece.
  6. Ask for movement photos through the case back before payment.

Legal status in the US

Import of counterfeit goods is illegal under 19 U.S.C. § 1526. Customs and Border Protection can seize the package and destroy it. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2320, with penalties up to 10 years in prison for a first offense. Possession for personal use is a separate question and depends on state law. No public data exists on how many replica Ballon Bleu 40 mm watches enter the US each year.