SpotlightBaume & Mercier Takes The Baumatic Story Forward At SIHH 2019

Last year at SIHH, Baume & Mercier had introduced a new Baumatic with their first in-house chronometer movement that offered an in-house power reserve—the BM12. This year, the next generation BM13 is here, and it’s made a splashing debut in an all-blue gradient dial featuring the same classical good looks with a splash of colour.

The New Baumatic Automatic Watches

The new updated movement has been developed particularly to be able to offer these watches at more competitive prices—an area that the brand anyway excels at. The new Baumatic is also available in white and still offers a five-day power reserve.

In addition to blue, the other new colour the Baumatic sees this year is red gold in an 18-karat piece, which certainly puts the classical look on a more elegant level. There’s little not to like about these new pieces, even if the brand has played it a little safe with the updates. That does not go to say that they haven’t got anything outstandingly new to offer.

B&M Novelty Of The Year: The Baumatic Perpetual Calendar

Along with the new Baumatic is the watchmaking novelty of the year for Baume & Mercier, the Baumatic Perpetual Calendar. Offering everything effective that the Baumatic stands for, and adding timekeeping finesse with a perpetual calendar, indicated through analogue displays around the dial, except for at six o’clock, where the poetic moon phase complication makes a presence. A look at this watch makes it clear that this is surely a talking piece for the brand. It’s what you look for in a classical piece that also offers some interesting complications, without becoming too heavy on the eye in terms of design or readability.

Something For The Ladies

Ladies also have something to look forward to this year from Baume & Mercier. After a one year hiatus, wherein the brand didn’t have anything new for women, they bring back the Classima for ladies back with a little dazzle this year. Now in a few newer sizes, the latest range is collectively available in 34, 31 and 27mm case diameters. All in steel, some of these quartz versions as well—which are distinguished by a cleaner dial and Roman numerals only at 12 and six. The automatic version features Roman numerals at 12, three, six and nine, along with minute markers. There are mother-of-pearl dial versions as well, with and without diamond hour markers. A special piece is the mother-of-pearl dial with a pave diamond bezel. Clearly, there’s something for any lady’s simple yet elegant dress and daily needs.

This 31mm Classima features a mother-of-pearl dial with a diamond-set bezel. Fitted with the ETA 2892 automatic movement, it ensures a 42-hour power reserve.

This 34mm Classima features a mother-of-pearl dial with diamond-set indexes and is fitted with the ETA 2892 automatic movement

This 34mm Classima flaunts a silver-coloured dial with a date window at three o'clock

A petite addition to the new Classima repertoire, this is a dainty timepiece measuring 27mm. Fitted with the ETA 2671 automatic movement, this offers a 38-hour power reserve.

The 27mm variation of the silver-plated Classima

Set in a 27mm stainless steel case, the mother-of-pearl dial lends opulence in this quartz Classima

This 27mm Classima is powered by the quartz Ronda 784 movement. The white dial features a date window at three o'clock.

This exquisite 31mm Classima is crafted with a mother-of-pearl dial. What makes it dazzle are the 60 brilliant-cut Top Wesselton diamonds set on the stainless steel case and the bejewelled bezel.

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While Baume & Mercier has stayed elegant and classical this year, we cannot help but miss some exceptionally distinctive looks. However, for anyone looking for the elegance in design that the brand is known for, they’ve introduced exactly what you’re looking for.

This is just the beginning with our coverage of SIHH 2019. Keep watching this space for more.