Cartier

SJX
[Purist]
8540

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More thoughts and two corrections

Dino put it very nicely but a correction: the movement in the Ballon Bleu chronograph is the JLC-designed 8000 MC with an in-house chronograph module. That makes it a slightly more refined than an ETA based calibre, though Dino is right, the Piguet 1185 is a remarkably slim and sophisticated movement, despite its age. And in the Pasha it is pretty well priced.

That being said, there are several versions of the Pasha chronograph. Only one version of the Pasha chronograph uses the Piguet 1185. Another variation, the Seatimer, uses a Valjoux 7750 derivative. Yet another, the Pasha C uses the ETA 2894. Naturally those two are priced at a much lower point. The newest 42 mm Pasha chronograph uses the 8000 MC based modular movement like that in the Ballon Bleu chronograph.

While the Ballon Bleu is a new Cartier design and not based on any historical model, it has caught on very quickly. I can't reveal figures but it has become a strong seller for Cartier, a great surprise for a new design, especially given other Cartier designs have 100 years of recognition. I would not be surprised to see it become a classic alongside the Tank, Santos et al in 50 years.

- SJX