Written by: Laura Barber

Would you consider your personal style to be classic and traditional? Or maybe you prefer a modern look, and wear nothing but the most current, cutting-edge fashions. If either of these descriptions sounds like you, or if you think you might fall somewhere in between, the Cartier Ballon Bleu Steel W6920002 Men’s watch will keep both yourself and your style right on track.

A classic watch with a modern flare, this timepiece boasts an ageless design packed with contemporary details that make it a good choice for anyone from your grandfather to a college student. To keep it traditional, the W6920002 features a round shaped case, a simple and un-crowded dial, and a chronograph function that includes 30-minute and 60-second subdials. On the other hand, there are a number of little details that bring this watch into the here and now. If the name of this watch didn’t already give it away, stainless steel is one of, if not its main feature. This surgical grade metal is not only used in the bracelet, case and bezel, but the hands themselves are also made from a blued-steel. Even though the dial plays a big part in keeping this watch classic, the minute markers on its inner rim and the use of nine Roman numerals instead of twelve give it an ultramodern kick. The fluted steel crown also adds interest as it is set with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon.

The Ballon Bleu W6920047 offers many of the same features but with a more varied appearance, all twelve numerals and a lower price.

Other features include:
• Skeleton case back
• Date display located at the 9 o’clock position
• Silver flinqué dial
• Mechanical movement with automatic winding
• Water resistant to 100 feet
• Sapphire crystal

To recap the reasons why you’ll probably want to own one of these, here are some pros:
• Classic yet modern look
• Unapologetic use of stainless steel—makes it sturdy and difficult to break
• Simplicity of design—easy to read and uncomplicated to use
• Automatic winding

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, so I would consider these cons before you buy:
• It’s expensive—with a price tag of $10,900, the high cost will be a deal-breaker for some.
• The missing numerals at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock—if you’re a perfectionist like me, you’ll most likely prefer to see all twelve hours on your watch face.
• The stainless steel—even though this might be a big pro for some people, it might be overwhelming for others who prefer a leather or rubber strap, or a dial with a contrasting color.

This is a watch that is not only stylish, but appropriate for guys of all ages. However, if you fall into the category of people who are turned off by any of its cons, there are many other models in the Ballon Bleu de Cartier collection that are more affordable, feature a variety of different materials, and have all hours represented on the dial. Also, if price is your only major concern, there are watch distributors online that have the W6920002 listed at prices significantly lower than the manufacturer’s. On the other hand, if cost isn’t an issue for you, and you like the way this watch looks, I don’t think buyer’s remorse will be a problem with this purchase.