The iconic Riviera collection from Baume & Mercier celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary in 2023, and the latest timepieces to honor this celebration is the Perpetual Calendar & Baumatic timepieces.
Since the early 1970s, Baume & Mercier has been expressing through the Riviera timepiece remarkable combinations of materials, design, watchmaking savoir-faire, and a clear understanding of the codes of the times. In the more recent times, however, Baume & Mercier have released several new models of the Riviera, which include (three-handed, diving, chronograph, moon phases, GMT), available in several sizes (33 mm to 43 mm in diameter) to cater for a variety of personal tastes.
First created in 1973, the Riviera model has been a hit, thanks to it’s easily recognizable design. A timepiece that has stood the test of time, the Riviera comes with the distinctive 12-sided (dodecagonal) bezel, the sharp baton-style hour indices and hands. Now, the Riviera is being presented in Baume & Mercier’s signature complication – the Perpetual Calendar, particularly distinctive of the Clifton collection – for the first time as part of the Riviera collection, while the second timepiece is more well known in the Riviera collection; the Baumatic. The Baumatic Perpetual Calendar is limited to just 50 timepieces, while the Baumatic is limited to 273 watches.
50th Anniversary Riviera – Baumatic Perpetual Calendar
The Baumatic Perpetual Calendar is a timepiece that makes it’s presence known on the wrist. The watch comes with a 40mm steel case, the iconic 12-sided bezel and a stunning new dial. Baume & Mercier writes a major chapter of the Riviera saga with the Baumatic Perpetual Calendar, with it’s timeless look that isn’t afraid to assert its personality to enhance the collection.
This new Baumatic Perpetual Calendar timepiece takes reference from Baume & Mercier 1987 historical model, which came with a complete calendar feature, that indicated the dates, days, months and moon phases. Inspired from the past to pave the way for the future, the Baumatic Perpetual Calendar has beautiful proportions and a stunning gold with vertical satin finish for the dial colour.
The indices on the dial are riveted and rhodium-plated, given the dial more depth and creating a three-dimensional aesthetic. Baume & Mercier has skeletonised the hour and minute hands, which along with the blue steel seconds hand with the PHI counter-weight gives it stylish appearance. The moon disc at 6 o’clock along with the sub-counter hands have been done in blue as well, which gives an overall colourful aesthetic, with the mixture of blue, rhodium and gold on the dial.
Baume & Mercier is using their Baumatic manufacture movement with a Dubois-Dépraz module. The movement comes with a very impressive 5-day power reserve that’s able to power the perpetual calendar functions. Functions which include the date at 3 o’clock sub-counter, moon-phase at 6 o’clock, day of the week at 9 o’clock sub-counter and the month indication at 12 o’clock sub-counter. The movement also comes with exemplary finishing, such as the circular-grained bridges, a sand-blasted and snailed baseplate, and a gold-plated oscillating weight that perfectly coordinates with the color of the dial, adorned with “Côtes de Genève” and snailed decorations, as well as the unique Baume & Mercier engraving.
Baume & Mercier is offering the Baumatic Perpetual Calendar with a three-link integrated steel bracelet as standard. The middle links in this three piece bracelet has adorned with decorative beveling. Although it is intergrated, the bracelet can easily be swapped to cater for personal tastes.
50th Anniversary Riviera – Riviera 10749 – A Variation Of The Baumatic 10616
This “Riviera 50th Anniversary Special Edition” pays homage to the style and history of the Riviera collection. Carrying all the iconic elements of the Riviera timepiece, this special edition also comes with a discreet elements such as the secret “1973” signature on the transparent blue sapphire dial, the Maison’s emblematic “Phi” logo on the counterweight of the seconds hand, and a blue ring in the case middle.
The distinctive transparent blue dial with the “waves décor” sitting underneath is complemented perfectly by the rhodium hands and hour indices, that stand out beautifully against the dark blue backdrop. The dial is encased in the 42.1mm dodecagonal steel case, which when combined with the dial gives a sporty yet luxury look. Like the Baumatic Perpetual Calendar, the Riviera 10749 watch comes with the same intergrated bracelet with the decorative beveling finish.
The Rivier 10749 comes with the automatic (Baumatic BM13-1975A) movement, which operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28, 800 VpH) while giving out an impressive power reserve of approximately 5 days (120 hours). While the open case back shows the movement, much of the movement itself cannot be seen as its closed off. However, the plates are beautifully decorated. much like the Baumatic Perpetual Calendar (without the gold-rotor).
Reference: M0A10742 (Baumatic Perpetual Calendar)
Specification:
- Case: 40 mm
- Case Material: Polished and satin-finished stainless steel case dodecagonal shape
- Case back: Sapphire dodecagonal case back with special engraving “Limited Edition xx/50”*
- Dial: Gilded vertical sun-brushed dial and snailed counters
- Crystal: Antiglare (2 faces) scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 50m / 5 bar
- Movement: Manufacture self-winding Baumatic and Dubois-Depraz module (BM13-1975 AC2)
- Power reserve: Approximately 120 hours (5 Days)
- Strap: Integrated 3-row polished and satin-finished stainless steel and bevel decor on central link with triple folding stainless steel clasp with security push-pieces.
International Recommended Retail Price: AUD $31,200
Availability: Limited Edition (50 timepieces) Through authorized retailers and Baume & Mercier E-Commerce.
Reference: M0A10749 (Riviera 10749)
Specification:
- Case: 42 mm
- Case Material: Polished and satin-finished stainless steel caseresin.
- Case back: Sapphire dodecagonal case back secured with 4 screws
- Dial: Smoked blue sapphire crystal and transparent waves décor with 1973 date engraved at 8 o’clock
- Crystal: Antiglare (2 faces) scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 100m / 10 bar
- Movement: Automatic (Baumatic BM13-1975A)
- Power reserve: Approximately 120 hours (5 Days)
- Strap: Integrated 3-row polished and satin-finished stainless steel with triple folding clasp with security push-pieces.
