Round-UpExplore Baume & Mercier’s Best New Launches—Now In India
First unveiled at the latest edition of Watches & Wonders Geneva, here are the best new updates to Baume & Mercier’s collections
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Known for their elegant designs, clean lines, refined aesthetics, and horological reliability, Baume & Mercier have always offered products that reflect sheer finesse, while also being quite approachable. The Swiss manufacturers have grown from strength to strength over the years, especially since 2018, when they launched their first in-house movement with the Baumatic collection. Adding to that series, along with other new exciting editions, the brand unveiled a host of new releases at the latest (digital) edition of Watch & Wonders Geneva (the watch fair formerly known as the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) in 2020. These new watches that present a perfect amalgamation of timeless elegance and durability are now available to us in India, with plenty of variations that will leave one spoilt for choice.
In addition to the latest in the Baumatic line, Baume & Mercier have also revived their beloved Hampton collection, while they have also released new variants of their Capeland chronograph watches, which are more suited for those with a penchant for sportier designs. Talking about their latest novelties, David Chaumet, the CEO of Baume & Mercier, had highlighted the significance of the new updates. “Driven by the authenticity that surrounds the maison, our centurial heritage and savoir faire, our spirit of innovation and close relationships with our customers and partners, we are focusing our resources to evolve the maison to reflect contemporary society and our customers’ new expectations.” He declared, “We are reinvigorating and rejuvenating all aspects of the brand to create a new tomorrow, a genuine tomorrow.”
Let’s take a closer look at the five major highlights from Baume & Mercier’s latest collection, now available in India.
The Clifton Baumatic—Baume & Mercier’s Chronometer Collection Expands
Like we mentioned, Baume & Mercier have always excelled in offering elegant timepieces that are rather accessible even, and the Clifton Baumatic series is the perfect example of this. The new variants add to the Baumatic offering that the brand had introduced in 2018, with the same commendable timekeeping accuracy, along with aesthetic updates that keep things fresh. The reliable and sophisticated timepieces are powered by the in-house calibre, Baumatic BM 13. This self-winding COSC-certified chronometer movement provides a remarkable power reserve of five days, which makes it perfect for those who may not wear it every day. The Clifton Baumatic is housed in a case that is 40mm wide and 11.3mm thick, and comes in stain-finished steel, or in steel and 18-karat pink gold, the latter with a two-tone bracelet as well. The steel-and-gold model features a soft white dial with a porcelain-like finish. Meanwhile, the steel version has a sophisticated grey gradient dial accompanied by a blue alligator leather strap or a steel bracelet. As in previous Baumatic chronometers, the dial on each of these new variants features crosshairs in the centre, signifying its certifiable accuracy. Other elements include a neatly positioned date window at three o’clock, sleek lancet-shaped hands and dagger-shaped indices.
Baumatic Presents Complications—A Moon Phase Display, And An Analogue Day and Date
Since the collection’s 2018 launch, Baume & Mercier have presented the Baumatic with certain complications, including a perpetual calendar. This one though is a simpler edition, with a moon phase display, as well as date and day indications, in addition to its primary timekeeping—all powered by the BM 14 calibre. The moon phase display comes surrounded by an analogue date display at six o’clock, on a lacquered grey dial, nicely balanced with the day display, diametrically opposite, at the 12 o’clock position. The captivating moon phase display consists of a rhodium-plated disc, surrounded by a blue starry night sky. The ‘concealed’ part of the moon and the sky isn’t entirely hidden, as it is placed beneath a translucent section that adds to the depth and nuanced appeal of the display. The neatly balanced dial comes housed in a 42mm steel case that is slender enough to slide under a jacket cuff. The blue alligator leather strap is easily detachable, without tools, owing to a quick-release system, which makes switching between straps and changing the look of the watch very simple.
The Clifton Baumatic Moon Phase Display Also Comes In A Simpler Edition
This timepiece is an excellent choice for those who are looking for versatility, but with finesse. It ticks a lot of boxes, and comes with the in-house movement, Baumatic BM 14, which is nothing short of a triumph. The calibre is self-winding and provides a significant power reserve of five days. It powers the moon phase display that sits neatly at the six o’clock position, encircled by an analogue date display, in addition to the central three-hand timekeeping. The moon phase display, embellished with a depiction of stars as well, does not hamper the overall aesthetic of the watch—clean and sublime, owing to the lustrous white dial that is reminiscent of porcelain. The Baume & Mercier emblem at 12 o’clock enhances the symmetry of the dial, which comes housed in a stainless steel case that is flawlessly satin-polished, and is sized at 42mm in diameter and 13.2mm in thickness. With sapphire crystal for the glass and caseback, the case comes affixed with a satin-finished steel bracelet that can be easily interchanged with a leather alternative, owing to the quick-release system.
Back To The Hamptons—Baume & Mercier Revive The Beloved Hampton Collection
An homage to art decor design and style of the 1920s, the Hampton collection draws its name from New York’s Hamptons—Southampton and East Hampton on Long Island—a summer holiday haven for New York City’s rich and famous. The Hampton collection’s template is based on a historical 1940s watch from the Baume et Mercier Museum, and is defined by its rectangular case design, which is both simple and regal. With a height of 48.1mm and width of 31mm, the case of this edition houses an ETA 2895 movement, which powers the small seconds sub-dial and date display, both located at the six o’clock position of an opaline and grained dial. An Arabic numeral applied at the 12 o’clock position maintains the overall balance of the watch. A smaller variant maintains this harmonious balance with two Arabic numeral markers at 12 and six. In this edition, the slim, sword-shaped hands run on the self-winding ETA 2671 calibre, placed in a 43mm-tall and 27.5mm-wide rectangular case. Each version comes mounted on a black alligator leather strap.
“We are thrilled to introduce a new vision for our Hampton collection. Creativity and art deco remain the pillars of this true icon of the maison,” Chaumet stated at Watches & Wonders. “Fully dedicated to the rebirth of this collection, we have simplified the design to remain as close as possible to its origin and its essence, while reworking all of the details with a focus on each element—notably on the timepiece’s face and case.”
The Capeland Chronograph Makes A Captivating Comeback
Drawing inspiration from the models of the ’40s and ’50s, the new Capeland chronograph is sportier and sturdier than its previous avatars. The handsome-looking chronograph comes with a matt-finished black dial, which consists of two sub-dials—the running seconds at three o’clock and a 30-minute chronograph counter at nine. Maintaining the visual symmetry is the date window at six o’clock, while the hour markers are wedge-shaped and are filled with Super-LumiNova that enhances their low-light visibility, as is the case with the leaf-shaped hands. The orange accents on the dial, such as the ring adjacent to the minute track as well as the orange chronograph hands, are complemented by the orange edges of the textured leather strap. The case comes in plain steel, or with a matt-finished ADLC (amorphous diamond-like carbon) coating, and measures 42mm in diameter and 13.2mm in thickness. The sub-dials on the dial match the hue of the case depending on the version. Nestled within is the self-winding ETA 2894-2 movement, which provides a power reserve of 42 hours. The watch comes with a sapphire crystal glass and caseback.