ReviewThe 2017 Baume & Mercier My Classima: An In-depth Review Of the Brand’s Most Price-Friendly Watch Yet

Typically, acquiring a true Swiss Made timepiece from an aspirational brand that has a valuable historical stature and superb craftsmanship, would most likely burn a hole in your pocket (and a pretty huge one at that). For the average watch enthusiast (like you and me), getting your hands on a “true Swiss Made timepiece” can be the stuff of dreams. But this year at SIHH, with many brands introducing affordable novelties, it was as if we (consumers and watch lovers across the board) were heard. Especially with the introduction of the new Baume & Mercier My Classima collection.

With timepieces starting from INR 73,000, the Baume & Mercier My Classima collection positions itself very closely to the expectations of the market scenario today. With such an affordable price bracket, the collection extends itself to a wider range of watch enthusiasts – the aspirational lot of us looking to invest in a ‘Swiss Made’ quality timepiece that is wallet-friendly and gifting-oriented. The introduction of My Classima not only represents the brand’s dedication to cater to a wider audience but also showcases its drive for excellence despite the price range that the collection belongs to.

So read on and discover the beautiful and accessible world of the Baume & Mercier My Classima collection and indulge in the finer aspects of watch loving (without actually going bankrupt!).

About the My Classima Collection: Inspired by the 1940s iconic timepiece:

My Classima (like its forefather: the Classima) is dedicated to the celebration of moments and the beautiful custom of gifting. An apt timepiece that exquisitely incorporates everything one looks for while buying a gift for a loved one, or to reward an achievement. Embodied with strong values that a brand like Baume & Mercier possesses, the My Classima collection personifies expert craftsmanship through the classically inclined timepieces it offers.

The collection is heavily inspired by the 1940s museum timepiece in the Baume & Mercier archives. It also draws a parallel with the older version: the iconic Classima collection. The clean lines and dressy approach only go on to show the true essence of the Swiss brand’s immense heritage and watchmaking tradition.

40 mm High-grade Steel case, 50m water resistance and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protection:

As mentioned earlier, the new My Classima is heavily inspired by its predecessors. This means a sleek design, classically inclined aesthetics and Swiss Made quality. It is offered in a 40mm case in polished steel. Rounded to perfection, the dimensions are appropriate and the watch wears well on different wrist sizes, making it a good, versatile choice for a gift. The scratch resistant sapphire crystal warrants a high resistance quotient which is a welcome feature (because who doesn’t want added protection for their watch).

Here is  a closer look at the watch:

Conforming to the minimalist theme, the immaculately designed polished steel crown has a subtle yet noticeable presence on the watch. The 2017 My Classima features a closed caseback that offers a water resistance of 50m; an appropriate depth resistance for a dress watch since it’s highly unlikely for somebody to go for a dive wearing the My Classima. So, a water resistance of 5 ATM makes sure your watch is protected from rain and sudden splashes of water.

Well-proportioned Dial in Matt White or Sun Satin Blue, Polished Roman Numerals and Silver Gilt Indexes, Date-Display Window at 3 o’clock and Leaf Shaped Hour and Minute Hands:

The My Classima collection basically features two dial colours: a matt white and a sun satin blue. Clean, minimalistic and clutter-free, the dial houses a combination of polished Roman numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’ clock and sleek, silver “gilt” indexes representing the rest of the hour markers. The rhodium plated, leaf-shaped hour and minute hands are designed in perfect co-ordination with the overall aesthetics of the dial. Sitting elegantly at 3 o’clock is the bevelled date display window that gives just the right essence of depth to the almost flat design. The black (numerals) on white background makes the date instantly noticeable when on the wrist. A subtle yet legible addition to the simple layout.

Powered by a Swiss Quartz Movement, Featuring a Closed Caseback with Ample Space for Personalisation:

My Classima is a rather impressive handmade marvel and is powered by a reliable quartz movement. Of course, there is no doubt that a quartz movement does not hold the same fascination as a mechanical one. However, to buy a timepiece of such impeccable quality with the historical support of a brand like Baume & Mercier at this price, there had to be a slight settlement somewhere. In this case, it was the movement. Having said that, Baume & Mercier (being the veteran watchmakers that they are) cleverly concealed the quartz movement by not including a seconds hand. To those unfamiliar with the connotation this has, let’s just say that with the absence of the seconds hand, it isn’t immediately apparent that the watch is powered by a quartz movement.

On the upside, the inclusion of a quartz movement also enables the watch to achieve a slim case size (5.95mm thick!). This further bolsters My Classima as an attractive everyday watch which is dressy enough to be used for a formal evening too. Like we mentioned earlier, one of the USPs of the collection is its ‘gifting’ aspect. And to highlight this, the solid closed steel caseback offers a wide space for a personalised message via engraving, making it the perfect option for a gift. Honestly, there is no doubt that the collection is breathtakingly handsome, stereotypically Swiss and exceptionally classic. For features like the ones we’ve spoken about, and not to forget the price, I can assure you that a quartz movement is a rather small blip on the radar.

Strap Options: High-quality Genuine Leather Strap or Steel Bracelet

My Classima is offered in two strap variations – a high-quality genuine leather strap in a timeless black colour, and an urban polished steel bracelet option that’s equipped with a triple folding clasp with security push-pieces to ensure that the watch stays secure on the wrist.

For Him & Her:

The collection also features watches for the ladies, and together the him and her versions make for excellent ‘couple watches’. Again, this makes My Classima the perfect gift for weddings or an anniversary, or to celebrate any special moment essentially (‘Celebrating Moments’ also being Baume & Mercier’s motto).

Price & Availability:

The SIHH 2017 My Classima collection starts at INR 73,000 and is available in India exclusively at Ethos Watch Boutiques. So why should you buy this watch?  So first of all, the price! Well, like we said, it’s an affordable timepiece offering Swiss Made quality. Getting a Swiss Made timepiece in this price segment, that has been hand-crafted to perfection is rare. Especially coming from a brand that has a long-standing history of developing horological masterpieces like the Shelby Cobra Daytona and the recently released Clifton Club collection. All in all, it is a true aspirational watch that is distinguished with “Swiss-Made” standards and looks great on the wrist.

What did you think of the new My Classima collection? Do you think it’s gift-worthy? Let us know in the comments section below!

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