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From Les Bois To The World: The Baume & Mercier Story
Established in 1830, Baume & Mercier are the seventh oldest Swiss watch manufacturers, renowned for crafting timepieces that capture life’s authentic moments. The brand crafts various timepieces ranging from the more complicated chronographs to the simpler, more elegant dress watches. Founded in the Swiss village of Les Bois, they initially started out as a watch dealership owned by two brothers Celestin Baume and Louis Victor. After making a name for themselves in Switzerland, the brand expanded their approach to the British market under the banner of ‘Baume Brothers’. Their excellence was recognised internationally, earning them seven gold medals and ten Grand Prix awards at various exhibitions. In 1918, the company director partnered with Geneva-based horologist Paul Mercier, leading to the rebranding as ‘Baume & Mercier’ and soon earned the prestigious ‘Poinçon de Genève’ hallmark, a seal stating the highest Swiss watchmaking standards.
Guided by their motto, “Accept only perfection; only manufacture watches of the highest quality,” Baume & Mercier ventured into women’s watches in the 1940s, crafting timepieces that combined elegance with technical precision. Beauty and technical perfection have been their key parameters and they speak of unparalleled precision, grand mechanics, and fine quality. The Baume & Mercier watches primarily showcase traditional, attractive & pleasing to the eye designs combined with sophisticated and reliable mechanics, innovative technologies, and practical functionality.
Essence Of Baume & Mercier Collections
The brand encompasses an impressive range of time tellers in the Baume, Capeland, Classima, Clifton, Clifton Club, Hampton, Riviera collections. The Clifton Baumatic collection with its silicon escapement and balance spring, offers a remarkable 120-hour power reserve and a maintenance cycle of seven years. Its silicon components reduce the impact of magnetism and minimise the need for upkeep, showcasing modern watchmaking proficiency. The Classima collection takes inspiration from the 1940s with a minimalist design, featuring uncluttered dials adorned with Roman numerals, embodying timeless elegance at an accessible price point. On the other hand, the Capeland collection combines vintage charm with contemporary design, featuring a tachymeter, a red telemetric scale, and three sub-dials for a functional yet stylish appeal.
The Clifton Club collection, launched in 2017, extends the iconic Clifton line with a sportier aesthetic tailored for active individuals. Designed for urban adventurers, it offers robust timepieces that seamlessly transition between outdoor pursuits and formal settings. This collection appeals to a younger audience through its blend of casual style and luxury watchmaking. Introduced in the late 1990s, the Hampton collection draws inspiration from the architectural elegance of the Art Deco era, featuring refined rectangular designs that exude understated glamour. Named after New York’s Hamptons, the collection combines grace with modern functionality, catering to both men and women. The Riviera collection, first launched in 1973, is renowned for its distinctive dodecagonal bezel and embodies the spirit of the Mediterranean coastline, merging bold sporty design with luxury. Reimagined in 2021, it retains its iconic charm while incorporating modern updates. Ultimately, the Baume collection, introduced in 2018, marks the brand’s commitment to sustainability, featuring responsibly sourced and recyclable materials. This eco-conscious line positions Baume & Mercier as a pioneer in ethical watchmaking while maintaining their legacy of Swiss craftsmanship.