113 articles found · page 1 of 4
Time+Tide
A new quartz Riviera brings heavy vintage vibes with its sizing and styling, thanks to the thin quartz movement inside. The post Baume & Mercier references the Riviera’s origins with new quartz Riviera 73 models appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Revolution
Hodinkee
Plus, Adrian Barker of Bark & Jack stops by to talk business news and his first-ever watch collab with Christopher Ward.
WatchAdvice
Though the aftershocks of news surrounding Baume & Mercier is still being felt, does their new Clifton keep the ball rolling? Let’s find out! What We Love: Elegant, slim case silhouette One of the comfiest bracelets I’ve ever worn Baumatic = Best value? What We Don’t: Fairly ordinary appearance, not for those wanting dramatic flair Bracelet finishing invites scratches and smudges Crown operation feels off Overall Rating: 8.75/10 Value for Money: 9/10 Wearability: 9/10 Design: 9/10 Build Quality: 8/10 Is the dress watch dead? Both Matt and I have attempted to answer this question on separate occasions. Matt argued that, in the contemporary space, the dress watch has fallen out of favour. I, on the other hand, believe dress watches remain prevalent and are thriving within the accessible segment of quartz timepieces. However, there are still a handful of brands that have committed themselves to collections defined by elegant aesthetics and attainable price points. One of these brands, Raymond Weil, is one we’ve discussed extensively, but they are far from the only player in this market. WATCH EDUCATION: An Introduction Into Baume & Mercier Founded in 1830, Baume & Mercier has maintained a notable presence within this relatively accessible tier of luxury watchmaking. A long-time subsidiary of the Richemont Group since 1988, the brand has used this period to develop watches that are balanced yet distinctive, both in design and mechanics. While the Riviera collection...
WatchAdvice
We have gone hands-on with the new Year of the Fire Horse limited edition Clifton from Baume & Mercier, which turns out to be a great Chinese New Year piece and an all-around dressier watch. What We Love The grey gradient dial looks great Good size at 40mm to suit most wrists Unique date wheel aperture with galloping horses What We Don’t The leather strap is on the stiffer side The crown stem is on the looser side, with some play in it when changing the date and time Quite a bit of reflection on the crystal at certain angles Overall Rating: 8.4 / 10 Value for Money: 8.5/10 Wearability: 8/10 Design: 9/10 Build Quality: 8/10 It has become customary for watch brands to tap into the Chinese Zodiac to celebrate the Chinese New Year. For many, this time of year represents new beginnings, traditionally celebrating the end of winter and the beginning of spring (in the northern hemisphere that is), a new year in the lunar calendar and new life. I think this is something we can all appreciate, no matter what our religious or philosophical beliefs are. So each year, coming into the new calendar year, and especially leading up to the Chinese New Year around February, we see a slew of brands bringing out their interpretation of the new Zodiac sign that is to come, of which there are 12, meaning we only see this every 12 years, and in each animal sign, there are 5 elements that are associated with it. Thus, each Zodiac sign with a specific element will only come around every 60 ye...
Hodinkee
Does the deal to sell the storied Swiss brand to Italian jeweler and watch retailer Damiani herald a new era of deconsolidation in the watch industry?
Fratello
Yesterday, the watch industry news headline read: “Richemont sells Baume & Mercier to Damiani Group.” The brand that turned 195 last year will soon be in the hands of its Italian distributor. In addition to being the distributor of Baume & Mercier, the family-run group also owns jewelry brands Damiani, Salvini, Bliss, and Calderoni, as […] Visit Richemont Sells Baume & Mercier To The Italian Damiani Group to read the full article.
Time+Tide
Tennis in Melbourne, watches in Milan and watch brands changing hands in Geneva - it's all happening this week.The post A spot of tennis with Rolex at the Australian Open, Richemont sells Baume & Mercier + LVMH Watch Week 2026 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Monochrome
Swiss-based conglomerate Richemont, owner of multiple jewellery and watch brands such as Cartier, IWC, Piaget, A. Lange & Söhne or Vacheron Constantin, to name a few, has agreed to sell Swiss watch brand Baume & Mercier, which it acquired in 1988, to the Italian, family-run Damiani Group, concluding a strategic review of the long-time Richemont […]
SJX Watches
Today Richemont confirmed the rumoured sale of its entry-level Baume et Mercier brand to the Damiani Group, a key distributor of the brand in Italy through its retail chain Rocca. While Baume et Mercier is understood to not be profitable, the acquisition should give Baume et Mercier the home-field advantage, as Italy is one of the most important markets for the brand today. According to the Baume et Mercier website, 325 stores in Italy carry the brand, compared to just 150 in France, 130 in the United States, and only 66 in Mainland China. A leaner Baume et Mercier focused on the Italian market, in the same vein as Eberhard & Co., is likely in the long-term, but in the meantime it must be untangled from Richemont. The deal is expected to close this summer, after which Richemont will provide “operational services” for the brand for at least 12 months. It is unclear whether the brand’s “Baumatic” movements with 5-day power reserves will survive the transition, as there are made by ValFleurier - Richemont’s counterpart to ETA. For more information, visit Richemont.com.
Teddy Baldassarre
Teddy Baldassarre is an authorized luxury watch retailer of brands like TUDOR, OMEGA, IWC, Grand Seiko, Breitling, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Zenith, Longines, ORIS, MIDO, Tissot, Hamilton, NOMOS Glashütte, Baume & Mercier, and more.
Time+Tide
A flyback chronograph makes a return to the Riviera range, and for the first time ever, we also get a Riviera Chrono with a panda dial.The post Baume & Mercier give enthusiasts what they want, expanding the Riviera range with panda dials and a flyback chrono appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
The retro-futuristic Riviera Chronograph Flyback is the clear highlight, but there's plenty more in store from Baume.The post We explore Baume & Mercier’s Watches & Wonders 2025 releases with new CEO Michael Guenoun appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Monochrome
Long before the Nautilus, Ingenieur, or the 222, Baume & Mercier introduced its take on the emerging luxury sports watch trend with the Riviera in 1973 – just a year after Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak. Over the decades, the Riviera saw highs and lows, at times fading into obscurity, only to be revived with a […]
Time+Tide
Baume & Mercier tweak the Clifton, introducing new 39mm Baumatic-powered models with groovy crosshair dials.The post Baume & Mercier channel ’50s flair with their latest Clifton in steel and gold appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Monochrome
Briston is an independent French brand created in 2012. It was founded by industry veteran, Brice Jaunet, who worked with different brands, including Cartier, Baume & Mercier, Raymond Weil and Zenith. Briston offers accessible, sporty-chic watches with a twist. The brand’s quirky designs rely on a cushion-shaped case with the Clubmaster collection, while another of […]
Time+Tide
Baume & Mercier has taken its Riviera line back to nature with four new models drawing inspiration from the surroundings of the French coast. The post Baume & Mercier goes back to nature with a new collection of Riviera models appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
WatchAdvice
The Riviera 10770: Baume & Mercier’s Perfect Balance of Form and Function is now met with a brilliant emerald-green dial! What We Love: Exceptional dial design The movement offers a 5-day power reserve A smaller and slimmer case makes it more versatile. What We Don’t: The bracelet design is too plain for Riviera’s case finishing and dial design Lack of micro-adjustment on bracelet. Lack of colour options for secondary strap options (to colour match with the dial) Overall Rating: 8.95/10 Value for Money: 9.3/10 Wearability: 8.75/10 Design: 9/10 Build Quality: 8.75/10 Founded in 1830, Baume & Mercier, as a watchmaker, has long been known to have a deep-rooted passion for horology, reflected through their timepeices that show elegance and precision. Brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume founded Baume & Mercier, and the brand quickly found itself on the international stage with a reputation for creating watches of exceptional quality, earning them numerous awards for precision at international exhibitions. In 1918, Baume & Mercier further solidified its “luxury image” by bringing in Paul Mercier as a partner. Paul Mercier brought a modern vision to the brand, leaning more towards aesthetic innovation while still upholding the brand’s technical excellence. This philosophy of Paul Mercier laid the groundwork for future Baume & Mercier collections! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baume & Mercier (@baumeetmercier) All-new Baume & Mercier Riviera 10...
WatchAdvice
Somewhere in between dress and sports, the new Baume & Mercier Classima may be in a class of its own, but how does this piece traverse daily life? What we Love Classic and elegant looks The deep blue dial Has the right amount of wrist presence What We Don’t The rotor movement is a little noise The chronograph pushers are on the stiff side The crystal is on the thinner side, reducing the solid feeling of the watch Overall Rating: 8/10 Value for Money: 8/10 Wearability: 8/10 Design: 8.5/10 Build Quality: 7.5/10 In a recent article, I delved into the history of Baume & Mercier, and the brand today, like many watch brands with almost two centuries worth of history, is different from the one started back in 1830 by the two Baume Brothers. Over the decades, and now centuries, it has evolved from a brand that was specialising in high complications and winning awards at The Kew Watch Trials, to being a solid mid-entry level player in the Swiss watch industry. This is a similar story to many others out there, and this is not a negative thing by any stretch, it’s just the way the world works – watches and other industries alike. William Baume and Paul Mercier, the founders of what is now known as Baume et Mercier, which evolved out of the original Baume & Co brand set up in 1830 by William’s Grandfather and Great Uncle. The pioneers of the brands and industries were just that, pioneers and the inventors of their time. Nowadays, you still need this, but more so, you need ...
Time+Tide
These Cliftons combine one of watchmaking's most traditional complications in a contemporary yet timeless package with a great movement beating under the hood.The post Baume & Mercier’s Clifton Baumatic Moon Phases epitomise understated luxury appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Baume & Mercier elevates its Riviera to the next level of style with an openworked dial for the first time.The post Baume & Mercier take the Riviera to the next level with the new Riviera Squelette appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Highlights include a skeletonised Riviera, a pair of handsome Clifton moonphases and a trio of Classima chronographs.The post Baume & Mercier goes for a traditional and modern mix for Watches and Wonders appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Revolution
Time+Tide
Writing about a watch called the Tideograph on Time+Tide? It's a no-brainer.The post The Baume & Mercier Riviera Tideograph sets sail with an unusual complication appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Musée Soulages, Baume & Mercier (B&M;) is launching a second edition inspired by Pierre Soulages (1919-2022). The Hampton Polyptyque Edition “Musée Soulages 10th Anniversary” features a dial modelled on Peinture 324 x 362 cm, 1986, Polyptyque I. Inspired by the style of the French abstractionist, the dial reproduces the dense impasto of texture and shapes of the artwork. As with the first edition, it has an all-black case and an overall composition devoid of colour, except for the branding and hands. Initial thoughts While watchmakers often partner with museums, Baume & Mercier’s tie-up with the Musée Soulages’ that started in 2022 yielded the brand’s most compelling watch to date – which is saying a lot for this anaemic brand. The second edition is essentially identical to the first, but with a different artwork on the dial. Though simple, the latest Soulages watch still manages to capture the essence of his work on a tiny canvas. However, as is always the case with limited editions, the number of editions is inversely proportional to desirability and appeal. While the first edition was special – it reputedly sold out swiftly – the second edition is intrinsically less unique. If there are much more on the horizon then the concept will lose much of its interest. The Hampton “Hommage à Pierre Soulages” edition from 2022 Priced at US$6,900, the new Soulages edition costs US$1,050 more than the first edition...
Time+Tide
Baume & Mercier once again painstakingly bring the work of Pierre Soulages to a watch dial in this limited edition sequel.The post Baume & Mercier debut a new Soulages sequel with another stunning painting-inspired dial appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
The smallest Riviera that debuted in 2023 has some compelling options at the entry-level luxury integrated-bracelet end of the market.The post The Baume & Mercier Riviera 33mm offers compact wrists agency in the integrated-bracelet landscape appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
WatchAdvice
We’ve gone hands on with the new Riviera GMT launched at the start of the year, and we must say that it’s been a bit of a surprise package! What We Love Wave motif silver dialQuick change strap systemComfortable bracelet What We Don’t No secondary strap to utilise the quick change systemNo GMT bezel, limiting true GMT functionalityLack of a screw-down crown Overall Rating: 8/10 Value for money: 8/10Wearability: 8/10Design: 7.5/10Build quality: 8.5/10 Baume & Mercier has had its ups and downs over the years, and more recently, I feel they’ve been relegated to the bottom of the Richemont stable of brands. However, this year, with the 50th Anniversary of the Riviera, Baume & Mercier have breathed some new life into their steel sports diver and designed it for a new wave of watch lovers. For those not very familiar with Baume & Mercier, first a very quick history lesson… The new Baume & Mercier Riviera GMT Travel Time Launched in 1973, the Riviera immediately made a splash with its dodecagonal case and its slimline metal strap. At this time, very few brands had really ventured into the luxury integrated steel bracelet models, with maybe the exception of Rolex and Audemars Piguet, making the Baume & Mercier Riviera one of the first brands to do this. Interestingly, the original design was done by Jean-Claude Gueit, the father of Emmanuel Gueit who designed the Royal Oak Offshore, so the Riviera has some design provenance and links back to that era as well. The Riviera...
Time+Tide
Sized at 39mm for the first time, the most versatile Riviera sports smoked sapphire dials and titanium and steel construction.The post The Riviera 39 is Baume & Mercier’s mid-size champion appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
This understated limited edition features subtle aesthetic tweaks that make it feel special without being dated.The post Baume & Mercier rounds off the Riviera’s 50th anniversary with a subtle commemorative special edition appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
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