krlyuzh
31 October 2007, 04:30 PM
I think I'm going to try and do one of these at least once a month.
I have recently received a few versions of this, the newest addition from Cartier.
The watch: Cartier Ballon Bleu
Sizes: As a typical Cartier watch, it is available in small, medium, and large models.
Metal Options: The watches are available in 18kt white, pink, and yellow gold, as well as in two-tone version with SS and 18kt yellow, no SS model available.
Description and opinion: This watch is rather futuristic, yet classic. It features the classic Roman numeral markers on the dial, the silver opline dial, the blued steel sword shaped hands. It is almost your classic Cartier anyone can recognise. Very noticably, the watch has a 'pushed into the case' crown. I think it looks amazing on the small and medium models (the dateless models) as the Roman numeral III is distorted on the dial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/ed3f6105.jpg
On the large model, with a date complication, it does not give as much effect, to me personally at least
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/943993b7.jpg
The blue stone on the crown is a sapphire, unlike the common spinel that is used on Cartier watches.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/close-up.jpg
Yes, in that picture you do see an optional diamond bezel for gold models. On the medium and larger models, it looks something like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/e86b67bc.jpg
on the small model, there is only 1 row of diamonds that are slightly larger in size.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/3c636e9f.jpg
Now, to the movements....this is rather interesting...the small AND medium models in SS/18kt models are quartz, with the large model being automatic. However, the medium models in the all-gold models ARE automatic having the Cartier Calibre 076 movement. The steel and gold models are honestly cheaply made, I guess to make it more available for those with a lower spending budget. The removable links on the bracelet are all SS, no gold on them, so, basically, half of your bracelet has gold on it. The SS/18kt gold models start out at $7300 retail, the large model, I believe is around $9000 ( I will edit this later with exact price). The small model in yellow gold is about $15,400, you can kind of go from there with pricing on other models. The only plain model available in white gold is the large, others are with diamonds.
Overall, it is a nice watch, it feels very comfortable on your wrist but because of the domed crystal it's hard to see the time from an angle. I am still not sure if I want to call it a girly watch or just an old man's watch....
I give A+ for design to Cartier, a C for options (it is not available in SS, the cheapest model is a lady's watch with quartz movement, a bit overpriced for what it is, I think) and a B- for functionality (it is a bit tricky setting the watch with the crown set the way it is, you really gotta have some nails on you to pull it out)
Oh yea, and for those of you with REAL money to spend:
http://i.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/news/0708/gallery.luxury_premium/images/cartier_watch.jpg
This watch retails at $950,000! No, I did not make a mistake typing, it is nine hundred and fifty thousand U.S. dollars. I really really really doubt I will ever see this bad boy in the case, but I guess its good to know that its out there :rofl:
Anymore questions? Just ask...
few more pics of various model options
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/265af3b6.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/742ba653.jpg
I have recently received a few versions of this, the newest addition from Cartier.
The watch: Cartier Ballon Bleu
Sizes: As a typical Cartier watch, it is available in small, medium, and large models.
Metal Options: The watches are available in 18kt white, pink, and yellow gold, as well as in two-tone version with SS and 18kt yellow, no SS model available.
Description and opinion: This watch is rather futuristic, yet classic. It features the classic Roman numeral markers on the dial, the silver opline dial, the blued steel sword shaped hands. It is almost your classic Cartier anyone can recognise. Very noticably, the watch has a 'pushed into the case' crown. I think it looks amazing on the small and medium models (the dateless models) as the Roman numeral III is distorted on the dial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/ed3f6105.jpg
On the large model, with a date complication, it does not give as much effect, to me personally at least
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/943993b7.jpg
The blue stone on the crown is a sapphire, unlike the common spinel that is used on Cartier watches.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/close-up.jpg
Yes, in that picture you do see an optional diamond bezel for gold models. On the medium and larger models, it looks something like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/e86b67bc.jpg
on the small model, there is only 1 row of diamonds that are slightly larger in size.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/3c636e9f.jpg
Now, to the movements....this is rather interesting...the small AND medium models in SS/18kt models are quartz, with the large model being automatic. However, the medium models in the all-gold models ARE automatic having the Cartier Calibre 076 movement. The steel and gold models are honestly cheaply made, I guess to make it more available for those with a lower spending budget. The removable links on the bracelet are all SS, no gold on them, so, basically, half of your bracelet has gold on it. The SS/18kt gold models start out at $7300 retail, the large model, I believe is around $9000 ( I will edit this later with exact price). The small model in yellow gold is about $15,400, you can kind of go from there with pricing on other models. The only plain model available in white gold is the large, others are with diamonds.
Overall, it is a nice watch, it feels very comfortable on your wrist but because of the domed crystal it's hard to see the time from an angle. I am still not sure if I want to call it a girly watch or just an old man's watch....
I give A+ for design to Cartier, a C for options (it is not available in SS, the cheapest model is a lady's watch with quartz movement, a bit overpriced for what it is, I think) and a B- for functionality (it is a bit tricky setting the watch with the crown set the way it is, you really gotta have some nails on you to pull it out)
Oh yea, and for those of you with REAL money to spend:
http://i.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/news/0708/gallery.luxury_premium/images/cartier_watch.jpg
This watch retails at $950,000! No, I did not make a mistake typing, it is nine hundred and fifty thousand U.S. dollars. I really really really doubt I will ever see this bad boy in the case, but I guess its good to know that its out there :rofl:
Anymore questions? Just ask...
few more pics of various model options
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/265af3b6.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/krlyuzh/Random/742ba653.jpg