There are two stars in the Baume & Mercier firmament that shine more brightly than the rest – two iconic timepieces that are sharing the limelight at Watches & Wonders.
They are the Hampton and the Riviera.
The former is the quintessential shaped watch. Both modern and classic, it has appeared in multiple versions since its launch in 1994. This year sees three new iterations. For men, there is a classic dress watch with a steel case, blue dial, automatic movement and alligator strap.
A sportier model comes with an architectural steel case with a sanded, opaline dial and a quartz movement on an integral three-row steel bracelet.
Women can look forward to a jewellery watch in steel with a diamond-set bezel majestically framing a blue dial, fitted with a quartz movement and an alligator strap.
But this year all eyes will be on the Riviera. And that’s only natural once you realise that 2023 marks the collection’s 50th anniversary. Launched in 1973, it is immediately recognisable by its 12-sided bezel. Its pure lines exude a timeless appeal inspired by the art de vivre of the French Riviera. This watch is all about casual refinement and a more relaxed approach to watchmaking elegance. Today it’s getting a rather special birthday present – three new 39 mm versions, and a first Baumatic.
All three come in a steel case; one has a blue dial and an interchangeable alligator strap, the second features a grey dial and an interchangeable steel bracelet, and the third comes with a titanium bezel, grey dial and interchangeable rubber strap. What makes them special? They are all driven by the Baumatic – Baume & Mercier’s in-house movement, launched in 2017.
It offers superior performance: a 5-day power reserve, precision of -4 / +6 seconds per day, and magnetic resistance up to 1500 Gauss. The movement can be seen through the sapphire display back, and the watch is protected by an 8-year warranty. Two years come as standard, but it can be extended by simply registering on the Baume & Mercier website when the guarantee is activated.
These three stunning timepieces join the wider Riviera family alongside a sportier Riviera, the Azur 300 M. This steel watch, also fitted with a Baumatic calibre, comes in a 42mm diameter with a choice of a blue or grey dial, with an interchangeable steel bracelet. The addition of a rotating bezel makes this a highly functional tool watch that can calculate dive times and decompression stops, to a depth of 300 metres, as its name suggests.
These men’s models are joined by two more Rivieras exclusively for women with meticulously finished dials in blue or purple. Measuring 33 mm in diameter, in steel with an interchangeable steel bracelet, they are driven by a quartz movement. Baume & Mercier also offers a more sophisticated ladies’ Riviera, also in a 33 mm steel case, but this time with an automatic movement and a couture-inspired dial. The gilt sunray satin finish with a transparent wave motif is enhanced by Roman numerals and riveted gilt markers.
Watches & Wonders lifts the curtain on a Riviera Collection that is both novel and well thought-out. These new additions are a worthy addition to a unique and iconic watch that has always been ahead of its time. The Riviera has been redesigned several times over the years, each time effortlessly encapsulating a zeitgeist of which, in many cases, it has been an integral part.
