Among its new releases at SIHH 2015, Baume & Mercier has launched two new models in its rectangular-cased Hamptons collection and a new complication in the recently launched Baume & Mercier Clifton family.
The Baume & Mercier Hampton, with its Art Deco-inspired, curved-rectangular case, marks its 20th anniversary in 2015 with two new references in steel, each containing a Swiss-made, automatic mechanical movement. The watch’s case measures 31 x 47 mm and has a thin, subtly tapered profile (just 10 mm thick), which follows the curve of the wrist and makes for an easy fit under the cuff of a dress shirt. Like previous Hampton watches, it features recessed surfaces at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock that highlight the domed sapphire crystal. There is also a sapphire window in the caseback that offers a view of the movement. Both of the Baume & Mercier Hampton Automatic watches have off-white dials, date windows at 6 o’clock, and the sword-shaped hands that are a hallmark of the Hampton collection. The hands are in blued steel on one of the models (Ref. 10155), which comes on a black alligator strap with a steel folding security buckle. The other model, Ref. 10156, has gold-finished hands and numerals and comes on a brown alligator strap. The new Baume & Mercier Hampton watches are affordably priced at $2,650.
Baume & Mercier introduced its Clifton collection, which draws its design inspiration from a 1950s vintage model, in 2013 and has since added both a complete calendar and a chronograph to this vintage-look family of dressy men’s watches. The newest evolution of the Clifton includes a pair of practical complications, a big date and power-reserve display. The Baume & Mercier Clifton Big Date and Power Reserve has a large date display on two disks in a single window at 12 o’clock and an indication of the 40-hour power reserve at 6 o’clock. The watch has a 43-mm-diameter case in polished and satin-finished stainless steel. The clean, uncluttered look of its silvery satin-finished dial, under a sapphire crystal, is enhanced by the applied hour numerals and indices. The Swiss-made automatic movement — including the winding rotor engraved with the Greek letter “Phi,” which represents both the brand’s logo and its “Divine Proportions” aesthetic code — is visible through a sapphire exhibition caseback. A module has been added to the base movement to power the date display and power-reserve indication, which displays to the wearer how much tension remains in the watch’s barrel spring. The Baume & Mercier Big Date and Power Reserve is water-resistant to 50 meters and comes on a brown alligator strap with triple-folding buckle. The price of the Baume & Mercier Clifton Big Date and Power Reserve is a very manageable $4,100.
At the SIHH this week, I had the chance to see and try on the new Baume & Mercier watches. Here’s what they look like on the wrist…
