Tom Austin
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Baume & Mercier never fails to deliver when it comes to elegant and refined watches at a respectable price point. Refining their collection for 2024, they have introduced a selection of watches that have stuck with that mantra. Blending traditional styles with contemporary touches, the brand is doing well in keeping up with the latest trends. Examples such as the dial colours of the new Classima Chronograph or the classic, French-style elegance of the all-black Hampton, both very much show that Baume & Mercier have their finger on the pulse. Also, the brand has an affinity for moon phase complications; with 16 pieces currently in their collection, they have extended it further to add two stunning mid-sized 39mm stainless steel Clifton moon phases. They’ve also given their fan-favourite Riviera more love, hitting us with 5 elevated takes on the integrated luxury sports watch.Classima ChronographExtending the already successful Classima range, Baume & Mercier re-introduce a chronograph to the range, in 3 sophisticated colourways – that sand-coloured dial is a sure-fire hit.Not afraid of watches on the larger side, the Classima Chronograph’s stainless steel case is 42mm in diameter and 13.2mm thick, a respectable size for an automatic chronograph.The watches are driven by a Swiss Valjoux 7750 automatic movement with a 48-hour power reserve running at a 4Hz frequency, including a date function.BrandBaume & MercierModelClassima ChronographReferenceGreen – M0A10784Blue – M0A10782Sand – M0A10783Case Dimensions42mm (D) x 13.2mm (T)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance50mCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialGreen, blue or sand sun-satinStrapChoices of grey or brown nubuck calfskin, or blue alligator leather, interchangeable and feature a stainless steel folding claspMovementValjoux 7750, automaticPower Reserve48 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, date, day, chronographAvailabilityFrom April 2024PriceA$4,850Clifton Baumatic Moon PhasesBaume & Mercier’s popular Clifton Moon Phases is released in 39mm in stainless steel, a perfectly proportioned case size that is suitable for a wide audience.Finished with gorgeous vignette blue or grey dials, combined with either rhodium-plated or gilded dial furniture, the Clifton brings a contemporary touch to a traditional-style watch.The watches are powered by the Baumatic BM14-1975 AC1 automatic movement, developed by ValFleurier. It’s beautifully decorated and boasts a 120-hour power reserve.BrandBaume & MercierModelClifton Baumatic Moon PhasesReferenceGrey – M0A10758Blue – M0A10756Case Dimensions39mm (D) x 12.2mm (T)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance50mCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialBlue or black/grey degradeStrapBlack or blue alligator leather, stainless steel folding claspMovementBaumatic BM14-1975 AC1, in-house, automaticPower Reserve120 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, date, moon phaseAvailabilityFrom April 2024PriceA$7,250Hampton Black QuartzSmall rectangular dress watches are definitely a hot topic right now, and the Baume & Mercier Hampton Black Quartz brings a fresh take on the traditional Art Deco style.This minimalistic, 1920s-derived piece is brought up to date with a lug design that gives the impression that the black calfskin strap is integrated, creating a unique silhouette.Driven by a quartz movement, this simple time-only piece offers 8 years of run time.BrandBaume & MercierModelHampton Black QuartzReferenceM0A10760Case Dimensions35mm (D) x 6.9mm (T)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance50mCrystal(s)Domed sapphire crystalDialBlackStrapBlack calfskin leatherMovementQuartzPower Reserve8 YearsFunctionsHours, minutesAvailabilityFrom April 2024PriceA$2,600Riviera SqueletteA new addition to the already-extensive Riviera line, the Squelette stands on its own with its open-worked dial.While the brushed stainless steel case is 42mm in diameter, which is a healthy size, it’s far from thick at 11.1mm.Visible through the dial and case back, the watch is powered by an automatic Sellita movement, offering a 38-hour power reserve.BrandBaume & MercierModelRiviera SquelletteReferenceM0A10721Case Dimensions42mm (D) x 11.1mm (T)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance100mCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialOpenworked, brushed blackStrapIntegrated black rubber strap, butterfly claspMovementSellita AMT 2500, automatic, skeletonisedPower Reserve38 hoursFunctionsHours, minutesAvailabilityFrom April 2024PriceA$6,900Riviera Perpetual CalendarAnyone who missed out on the limited-edition, salmon-dialled Riviera Perpetual Calendar last year will be pleased to hear that it’s now entered regular production with a grey dial.At 40mm in diameter and 11.8mm thick, this QP is very well-proportioned, considering the complications involved.The watch is complete with a Baumatic BM13-1975 AC2 movement with a Dubois-Depraz module, offering full perpetual calendar complications and a 120-hour power reserve.BrandBaume & MercierModelRiviera Perpetual CalendarReferenceM0A10786Case Dimensions40mm (D) x 11.8mm (T)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance50mCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialBrushed satin greyStrapIntegrated stainless steel bracelet with triple folding claspMovementBM13-1975 AC2, in-house, Baumatic with Dubois-Depraz perpetual calendar modulePower Reserve120 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, day, date, month, leap-year indicator, moonphaseAvailabilityFrom April 2024PriceA$33,500Riviera Acier-TitaneThe Acier-Titane uses a combination of metals and finishes to produce a unique and attractive take on the Riviera.?Its 42mm case is in blue PVD-coated steel, with a grey PVD-coated titanium bezel and gold PVD feature ring, bringing together a combination of colours, textures and finishes.The watch is powered by the Baumatic self-winding movement, decorated with C?tes de Geneve and visible through the sapphire crystal case back.BrandBaume & MercierModelRiviera Acier-TitaneReferenceM0A10769Case Dimensions43mm (D) x 10.6mm (T)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance100mCrystal(s)Sapphire crystal and case backDialSmoked blue sapphire dial with wave motifStrapIntegrated blue rubberMovementBaumatic BM14-1975AC3, in-house, automaticPower Reserve120 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, dateAvailabilityFrom April 2024PriceA$4,850Riviera GoldBaume & Mercier go full gold for the Riviera for 2024, with a stunning 39mm case in 18k pink gold.The gold indices and hands play well with the smoked sapphire wave-effect dial.Finished with an interchangeable, integrated black alligator leather strap with an 18K pink gold pin buckle, this makes for one of the classiest Rivieras in the range.BrandBaume & MercierModelRiviera GoldReferenceM0A10787Case Dimensions39mm (D) x 9.6mm (T)Case Material18k pink goldWater Resistance50mCrystal(s)Sapphire crystal and case backDialSmoked grey sapphire dial with wave motifStrapIntegrated black alligator leather with 18k pink gold pin buckleMovementBaumatic BM14-1975A, in-house, automaticPower Reserve120 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, dateAvailabilityFrom April 2024PriceA$33,500Riviera Tideograph (Mareographe)Baume & Mercier reveal their first Riviera complication of many due to debut in 2024, the Riviera Tideograph.Also known as the Mareographe, this Riviera complication features a tide disc that can be used to track the ocean's roughly 12-hour tide cycle.A push-button at 4 o'clock makes it possible to adjust the tide disc.Its Baumatic movement still maintains a 120-hour power reserve.Read more about the Baume & Mercier Riviera Tideograph here.BrandBaume & MercierModelRiviera Baumatic Tideograph (Riviera Mareographe)Reference Number10761Case Dimensions43.06mm (D) x 12.34mm (T)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance100 metres, screw-down crownCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialBlue sunray, tide disc at 6 o'clockLug WidthIntegratedStrapBlue rubber woven-effect strap with butterfly claspMovementBaumatic BM14-1975AC3, in-house, automaticPower Reserve120 hours (5 days)FunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, tide graphAvailabilityLimited to 500 piecesPriceA$8,500Riviera DiamantsAn elegant and sporty ladies’ watch, the Diamants is a 33mm stainless steel sports watch, combined with 44 brilliant-cut, VS quality diamonds.The Diamants is powered by a quality Swiss Ronda 714Li quartz movement, keeping things simple with a 5-year battery life.Its integrated bracelet design makes for a sporty and modern look, combined with the diamond bezel and wave-finish dial, completes the watch as an excellent option for all occasions.BrandBaume & MercierModelRiviera DiamantsReferenceM0A10765Case Dimensions33mm (D) x 9.5mm (T)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance50mCrystal(s)Sapphire crystalDialSatin finish blue lacquered with waves motifBraceletIntegrated stainless steel bracelet with triple folding claspMovementRonda 714Li QuartzPower Reserve5yrs battery life, 10yrs overall autonomyFunctionsHours, minutes, dateAvailabilityFrom April 2024PriceA$6,500
10.04.24