For decades, the affluent residents of New York city and indeed the greater United states, have spent their summers in the Long Island community of The Hamptons. Today, the seaside communities that form the Hamptons are synonymous with luxury and a North Eastern colonial level of refinement unlike anywhere else in the world. So it seems befitting that the luxury Swiss watchmaker, Baume et Mercier have chosen the region to be the namesake of its latest collection.
Harkening back to the 1920’s art deco movement, the new Hampton line-up from Baume et Mercier showcases the brands contemporary take on a classic rectangular wristwatch design. The line features a number of pieces targeted towards both men and women, however at this stage only a quartz offering is available in the women’s models.
The line-ups timepieces feature an opaline and grained silver dial flanked with riveted black ruthenium hour markers and Arabic numerals at 12 and 6. The texture used with the grained silver outer portion of the dial assists nicely in adding depth and visual intrigue to what is overall a quite minimalist and refined design.
Entry into the mechanical side of the range begins with the reference M0A10522 centre seconds, time only variant.
The case design for the Hampton range is reminiscent of the modern Cartier Tank Solo, although Baume et Mercier have opted for thicker case flanks which curve slightly downwards to form the lugs. It is a design that reminds of both Cartier tank and Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso, not surprising given all three brands are a part of the Richemont group.
The reference 10522 measures a reasonable and wearable 43 x 27.5mm and has a case thickness of 10mm which houses a modified ETA calibre 2671. The movement has been decorated somewhat with circular graining to the bridges and a sandblasted main plate. Baume et Mercier also fit a custom rotor decorated with Côtes de Genève. The brand specify a power reserve of 38 hours for the watch beating away at 4hz.
Moving up into complications, the Hampton range offers a date and small seconds variant with reference 10528. This time powered by modified ETA calibre 2895 and offering a power reserve of 42 hours, Baume et Mercier adorn the dial of the 10528 with a small seconds indicator above 6 o’clock and a date window cut into the bottom of that small seconds indicator.
The cut out and cutting off of the small seconds is an interesting design choice as it can be a turn off for some out there. In this case, the watches refined design is slightly interrupted by the intrusion into the seconds indicator by a deep rectangular cutaway. Reference 10528 offers a slightly larger case to the time only model, measuring 48 x 31mm but a slimmer 9.35mm thickness.
Finally, Baume et Mercier showcases the peak of the Hampton range with reference 10523. Featuring centre seconds, time, day and night indicator at 6 o’clock, Grande date at 12 and to cap it off, dual time zone function.
Reference 10523 packs a lot into a 48 x 31mm case and manages to do so while remaining only 10.8mm thick. There is a lot of complication on offer for such a small form factor, and to do so Baume et Mercier have used the Soprod calibre TT651, decorating the movement and applying a similarly Côtes de Genève adorned rotor weight. Easily the pick of the bunch, the reference 10523 is a huge step in the right direction for a brand that may not have been on many radars for some time.
All watches come with a quick release alligator straps, with triple folding security pusher clasps.
