ReviewAn Everyday Classic: The Baume & Mercier Classima Lady
Taking forward the brand’s repertoire of graceful and functional timepieces for women are the 2019 Classima Lady watches from Baume & Mercier, including a special diamond-set model
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Maison Baume & Mercier has always stayed ahead of the pack and won the hearts of women around the world since 1869 when they became among the initial watchmaking brands to script novelties for women, finally enamouring the lady into the world of fine watchmaking. At a time when watches for women were not the norm, Louis-Victor Baume gave his daughter Mélina a gold fob watch decorated with floral motifs. Ever since, the watch brand has made great strides with its forward-thinking watch wonders for women with unusual designs, such as the iconic Baignoire, the Marquise, and the evergreen Classima collection.
The Classima, inspired by a watch from 1965, represents 189 years of Swiss watchmaking tradition, as well as the brand’s exquisite repertoire of timepieces for women. For 2019, the brand has eight new Classima Lady steel watches, with new dials and sizes, as well as quartz and automatic movements. Femininity lies at their very core. The inclusion of two jewelled models with mother-of-pearl dials and diamond-set bezels has further enhanced the watchmaker’s tasteful line-up.
A Timepiece For Every Woman, For Every Day
Defined by its elegant simplicity, Baume & Mercier has added the 27mm and 34mm sizes alongside the existing 31mm models. Each feature the classic hour and minute functions, as well as a sleek date display. All versions come with a five-row steel bracelet. Even in the plain versions, what stands out are the clean silver-plated dials and Roman numerals, which create aesthetic appeal for the modern woman who desires a hint of understated glamour. The watches in this line use both, Quartz and automatic movements. The automatic watches with a 34mm case are powered by the Swiss-made ETA 2892-A2 movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. The smaller watches with a 27mm case use the ETA 2671 calibre. And owing to its smaller size, the power reserve too stands at a slightly reduced 38 hours.
A Woman’s Best Friend
The diamond-set Classima Lady makes an absolute statement of refined charm. In 31mm, it is available with a quartz or automatic movement. The latter is distinguished by Roman numerals at six, nine and 12, with minute marker dots on the radiant mother-of-pearl dial. It uses the Swiss-made ETA 2892-A2 movement that gives it a 42-hour power reserve, same as the 34mm automatic pieces. These watches have a 50m water resistance rating that allows for a small splash in the pool. The beauty of the movement that drives this stunning timepiece is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. A comeback of the Classima after a one-year hiatus, the new collection is infused with the brand’s classic, powerful and celebratory expression.
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