The number 33701 is a Cartier caseback reference. Sellers use it as a label for replica Ballon Bleu de Cartier watches. The reference points to a steel automatic model with a round case, a crown at 3 o'clock, a blue spinel cabochon, and a dial with Roman numerals. Replica versions sell for $60 to $700. They are counterfeits. US law bans their import and sale.
What the 33701 number covers
Cartier stamps reference numbers on the caseback. Dealers and forums repeat them as shorthand. One number can cover more than one case size, so two listings marked 33701 can describe different watches. Cartier publishes case diameters, thickness, and movement calibers on its own site. Compare any listing against that page. If a seller cannot name the case size, the listing is incomplete.
Specs to verify in a listing
- Case diameter. Ballon Bleu steel cases run from 28 mm to 42 mm. Ask for a caliper photo.
- Case thickness. A 42 mm case measures about 13 mm.
- Movement. Replicas use Chinese automatics, Miyota 9015, or cloned ETA 2824. Ask for the caliber name and a photo of the rotor.
- Crystal. Cartier uses sapphire. Many replicas use mineral glass. A scratch test or a water drop test shows the difference.
- Crown. The blue cabochon sits under a fluted crown. Replica stones are glass or plastic.
- Engraving. Replicas copy real serials, so a serial search proves nothing about origin.
Price bands
Low-grade replicas run $60 to $150. Mid-grade runs $150 to $400. High-grade replicas with a cloned movement run $400 to $700. A used genuine 42 mm steel Ballon Bleu trades near $4,000 to $6,000 on the secondary market. A new one from a boutique costs more. A $700 asking price on a watch sold as genuine points to a counterfeit.
Legal status in the US
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import, sell, or traffic. CBP can seize shipments and issue fines. The FTC treats counterfeit sales as a deceptive practice. Personal use carries less exposure than resale. The goods remain subject to seizure in both cases. Payment disputes with replica sellers end in a refund in few cases.
How to read seller claims
Sellers use terms such as 1:1, AAA, and super clone. These words have no standard meaning. A "Swiss made" stamp on a replica dial is a copied marking. A "300 m waterproof" claim has no test behind it. Ask for the movement caliber, the case size, and caseback photos. A seller who sends stock images and no caseback shots is a seller to skip.
Quick checks
- Compare the stated case size to the Cartier spec sheet.
- Ask for the movement caliber and a rotor photo.
- Compare price to the used market for the genuine model.
- Assume no warranty and no service support.