The boundary-breaking Ballon Bleu immediately became a resounding success and a Cartier icon when it was launched almost a decade and a half ago. It was not just a nice-looking watch from a stalwart Maison, but also interesting and pleasantly different. Hence watch aficionados held their breath when Cartier announced that the collection was about to get a facelift.
The new 40mm Ballon Bleu joins its 28mm, 33mm, 36mm and 42mm siblings, completing the collection with one of the optimal sizes that’s as adequate for the ladies as it is for the gents. The release felt appropriate at a time when genderless watches are becoming more and more prevalent. Equipped with the in-house 1847 MC automatic movement, the watch has a sufficient 40-hour power reserve.
Comes in a few iterations, the collection offers a choice of a steel or 18-carat pink gold case – with or without the diamond-set bezel with a blue sapphire cabochon atop the crown – fitted with either an alligator strap or a steel or matching 18-carat pink gold bracelet. The straps and bracelets employ a quick-change system, so to enable the wear to switch easily from one to the other. Both versions can be found with a dark grey dial, while the steel option is available with a bright blue sunburst dial.
This story first appeared in the June/July 2021 issue of Men’s Folio Malaysia.
