Cartier Ballon Bleu 42mm Aftermarket Diamond Elephant Dial Black Strap Watch

Cartier Ballon Bleu 42mm Aftermarket Diamond Elephant Dial Black Strap Watch

This striking Cartier Ballon Bleu is in excellent pre-owned condition and ready to ship!

The Ballon Bleu de Cartier, introduced in 2007, is widely considered the most successful Cartier watch of the modern era. Its defining design element is the crown tucked beneath a curved protective guard on the right side of the case, giving the profile a continuous, almost spherical flow that set it apart from every other luxury sports dress watch when it launched. The 42mm variant sits squarely in the men's size range, large enough to read with authority on the wrist without overpowering a dress shirt cuff. It carries that rare ability to work at a black-tie dinner or over a weekend, and demand for it in the secondary market has remained remarkably steady since introduction.

This example goes well beyond factory spec. The original dial has been replaced by a skilled aftermarket artisan with a vivid red lacquer background, across which a full pavé diamond elephant is set in precise, even stones. Red lacquer dials were offered by Cartier on special editions and high-jewelry references, so the color choice is entirely in keeping with the house aesthetic — it just happens to arrive with an elephant rendered in diamonds occupying center stage. The Cartier case is clean, with no visible dings or scratches on the polished and brushed steel surfaces. The black leather strap is in excellent shape, and the double-C deployant buckle — stamped Cartier — snaps cleanly and shows no play in the mechanism. Diamonds across the dial appear fully intact and evenly set throughout.

A piece like this appeals to a specific buyer: someone who already knows Cartier and wants a conversation-starting wrist, not simply a name. The elephant motif reads as good luck across a wide range of cultures and traditions, and the red lacquer gives it the kind of visual pop that photographs brilliantly. It ships as a watch-only piece, without original papers or box, which is reflected in the price. The Cartier authenticity is in the case, movement, and hardware — the dial is the custom work, and that is precisely the point.

Each piece is fully inspected and authenticated by Diamonds by Raymond Lee in Boca Raton.

Eligible merchandise may be returned within 14 calendar days of delivery, subject to our Return & Refund Policy. Custom or special-order pieces, and items engraved, sized or otherwise modified at your request, are final sale.

To request return authorization, email inquiry@diamondsbyraymondlee.com within the return window. Items must be unworn, in their original condition, and include all original packaging, certificates, accessories and gift items. Ship the return using a tracked, insured service no later than the 14th day after delivery. Customers pay return shipping and insurance.

Read our full Return & Refund Policy for all conditions and refund details.