ReviewThe Smooth Baumatic Experience: Baume & Mercier Clifton Day-Date Moon Phase

Baume & Mercier—known for their Classima, Hampton, Linea, Capeland collections—have been in focus lately for their Clifton series. This line, largely comprising calendar and chronograph complications, which were powered by sourced ETA calibres, changed the game with the launch of Baumatic—the in-house movement by Baume & Mercier. The recent iterations of the Clifton Baumatic Moon Phase exemplify the smooth functioning of this in-house movement enclosed within polished and satin-finished 42mm steel cases.

Talk To The Moon, On Any Day Or Date: The Baumatic Moon Phase

Known as the ‘poetic complication’ Moon phase displays have a special charm, and the Clifton Baumatic Moon Phase models are no different. The lacquered sunray dials, either in deep blue, forest green or white, have a moon phase sub-dial posited at six o’clock. In the earlier models, only the area with the night sky is open-worked. The newer models feature imagery of a starry night sky with two moons. The disc is partly visible with full clarity and partly covered by translucent grey sapphire crystal, almost appearing like a cloud. This enhances the visual depth of the display significantly.

Baume & Mercier Clifton

₹4,60,000

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Encircling this moon phase sub-dial, like a two-for-one deal, is one of the simplest complications—an analogue date display. In the advanced iteration, diametrically opposite this sub-dial, at 12 o’clock, is the analogue day indicator. Rhodium-plated riveted indices complete the look.

The lacquered sunray dials, either in deep blue, forest green or white, have a moon phase sub-dial posited at six o’clock

In the earlier models, only the night sky has an openworked design

Baume & Mercier Clifton

₹4,50,000

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The Fantastic Baumatic Moon Phase

Baumatic signifies the in-house movements developed by Baume & Mercier with its centuries-long watchmaking expertise. The Baumatic movement was developed to tackle the age-old problem of mechanical watches: rewinding after 38 hours, 70 hours, etc, depending on the amount of power reserve, to avoid a slowdown in timekeeping. Powered by the latest Baumatic movement BM14 1975 AC2, the barrel, escapement, and hairspring in the above discussed Clifton models, are optimised to ensure 120 hours or five full days of power reserve.

The skeletal caseback of the Clifton Baumatic Day-Date Moon Phase offers a peek into the workings of this movement

Powered by the latest Baumatic movement BM14 1975 AC2, the barrel, escapement, and hairspring in the Clifton Baumatic Moon Phase are optimised to ensure 120 hours or five full days of power reserve

Baume & Mercier Clifton Moon Phase Baumatic Shop The Collection

Plus, the movement provides the models 25 times more resistance to magnetic fields than the usual marker. This phenomenon is credited to the silicon and non-ferromagnetic properties enclosed in the escapement and barrel wheel. Further, the hairspring is in tandem with the balance wheel maintains a precision of -4/+6 seconds per day, and due to this feat, the movement received chronometer certification from COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) certification. The exhibition caseback offers a peek into the workings of this movement.

With the reliable Baumatic movement, decorative technicalities like the moon phase and day-date complications, and subtle dial hues, the Baume & Mercier Clifton Day-Date Moon-Phase watch is set to impress with its understated elegance.