Baume & Mercier unveils 2017 offerings
Horological brand Baume & Mercier, the Swiss maison founded in 1830, has positioned itself as “the essential partner of special moments in life”. The brand, which began as a family business of the Baume brothers, was, at first, best known for its chronographs and its grand complication models, including minute repeaters, calendars and tourbillons
The company, by the late 19th century, had already won ten Grand Prix awards and seven gold medals at international exhibitions and shows in Paris, Melbourne, Zurich, London, Amsterdam and Chicago. In 1918, William Baume joined forces with Paul Mercier to found Baume & Mercier, Genève.
The brand has now launched “My Classima” to enlarge Baume & Mercier’s offerings dedicated to moments of celebration and to strengthen the special bond that they enjoy with their clients. For men, the brand offers the Clifton Club, a series of 5 models that exemplifies sophisticated elegance.
Clifton Club Shelby Cobra
Continuing with the marque’s partnership with the Carroll Shelby Company initiated in 2015, Baume & Mercier now unveils the Shelby Cobra collection – inspired by the legendary Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, the most iconic car in American motorsports – in a limited edition of 196. In celebration of its legacy, Peter Brock personally worked with Baume & Mercier’s Design Director Alexandre Peraldi to create the Clifton Club Shelby Cobra Limited Editions.
Powered with a Swiss Made manufacture self-winding movement (La Joux-Perret 8147-2) with flyback chronograph function, the watch allows the wearer to move from one chronograph reading to another in a single button push. The 44 MM case is of titanium and polished stainless steel. The dial, inspired by Peter Brock, mirrors the half blue/half silver-coloured Shelby livery. Framing the bi-colour dial are modern Arabic numerals, while the snailed horizontal chronograph counters are offset by a tachymeter scale that highlights the speed record of “196mph”. The timepiece arrives to its owner in elegant black and silver packaging, and includes an exclusive 1:43 scale model of the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe with an original card signed by Peter Brock.
Clifton Club
Baume & Mercier embodies the concept – a healthy mind in a healthy body – in its new multifunctional sports watch, for the “gentlesportsmen”. Powered by a Swiss Made mechanical self-winding movement with date function and proven reliability (tested for shock resistance to 550G, adjustments in three positions), Clifton Club is for the men who want a multipurpose, stylish sports watch. Hewn in very high-quality stainless steel (316L), the case has a round opening, with a diameter of 42 MM and a thickness of 10.3 MM, and is available in five versions. Two options are available in polished or satin-finished stainless steel case (black or white dials) and the “All Road” calfskin strap for the adventurer; two versions with a polished or satin-finished stainless steel case (black or blue dial) with steel bracelet for a more urban look; and an all-black version that features a black dial, stainless steel case with a black sand-blasted ADLC coating.
My Classima
The Classima Collection, inspired from a 1940’s museum piece in the Baume & Mercier archives, is the essence of the brand’s heritage. Aligned with the watches in the existing collection, My Classima has sleek features: roman numerals, a date aperture at 3 o’clock, and a sophisticated steel case, known for its comfort on the wrist. My Classima comes equipped with a Swiss quartz movement guaranteeing reliability and precision. Designed for men and women, My Classima offers three case sizes – 40 MM, 36.5 MM, and 31 MM, with a matt white or sun satin blue dial (40 MM). Each model is proposed with a choice of an urban-chic steel bracelet or a genuine leather strap, in timeless black (40 MM), or an intense navy blue (36.5 MM, 31 MM).
Femininity
Inspired by enchanting femininity and astrology, the new Promesse watch gives a glimpse into the mystery behind the four phases of the moon, unveiling each chapter right on the dial. This precious timepiece is a new star in the Promesse collection launched in 2014, which continues to charm with its elegance and sophisticated design. With this addition, Baume & Mercier combines the poetic complication of fine watchmaking with the aesthetics of jewellery. The 30 diamonds, set like two crescent moons, brighten up this starry night and highlight the oval-shaped bezel that perfectly fits into the round (34 MM) polished steel case. A final touch– the shiny midnight blue alligator strap – completes the chic masterpiece.
Baume & Mercier’s offerings for the ladies this year also include feminine versions from the marque’s other collections – all adapted to present an elegant, sophisticated timepiece fit for daintier wrists.
