Perpetual calendars and more from Baume & Mercier
Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic
When William Baume joined forces with Paul Mercier to found Baume & Mercier at Genève in 1918, they already had the nearly-century old heritage of the “Baume Brothers” to draw upon. As Baume Brothers, the brand was best known for its chronographs and grand complication models, and had won worldwide renown as a watch brand to reckon with. In the decades to follow, the brand left an indelible mark on watch design with its Marquise, Galaxie and the Stardust. In more recent years, it offers a number of successful models that are known as the brand’s flagship lines
Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic Perpetual Calendar
The Clifton Baumatic Perpetual Calendar combines the Baumatic BM13-1975AC-1 movement with a perpetual calendar, and requires maintenance service only once every seven years. Automatically taking into account the variable lengths of months and the leap year cycle, the Perpetual Calendar requires no date correction before March 1, 2100, a non-leap year. The “warm white” porcelain finish of its dial is enhanced by facetted riveted hour markers and gold-tone hour, minute and seconds hands. Three counters serve the perpetual calendar: the first at 9 o’clock for the day, the second at 12 o’clock for the month and leap-year cycle, and the third at 3 o’clock for the perpetual calendar, with the moon phase indication at 6 o’clock. The 42-mm satin-finished 18K pink gold case of the Clifton Baumatic Perpetual Calendar is just 12.1mm thick. The caseback is protected by a sapphire crystal that reveals the calibre’s refined finishes.
Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic COSC Blue Dial Steel
The Clifton Baumatic Collection adds five new models; powered by the BM13 version of the Baumatic calibre, they combine performance, technical achievement, and refined design. The COSC Blue Dial Steel model features a blue-to-black gradated sunburst dial with a white minute track, rhodium-plated hands, and an oversized date aperture at 3 o’clock. The 40-mm steel case offers harmonious proportions. On this COSC-certified model, a discreet white crosshair appears on the dial. The COSC Blue Dial Steel is available in two versions: one is mounted on an interchangeable black alligator leather strap with a pin buckle and one features a five-row steel bracelet with a triple folding clasp and security push-pieces. In addition to 120 hours (5 days) of autonomy, Clifton Baumatic watches offer great chronometric precision (–4/+6 seconds per day for the COSC-certified models), and only require maintenance service once every seven years.
Clifton Club
Two new models enhance the Clifton Club collection: a GMT version and an automatic version in bronze, giving it a unique neo-retro charm. The Bronze is available in four dial versions (black, brown, blue, green). With a 42-mm diameter, the satin-finished bronze case of this new watch will acquire a patina over time. Housed in a case only 10.3 mm thick, is a “Swiss made” self-winding mechanical movement with 28,800 vph. Its screw-down bronze crown, unidirectional rotating bezel, water-resistance to 10 m and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal add to the watch’s sporty appeal, making it suitable for everyday use. The watch has a green dial and a brown nubuck calfskin strap with off-white topstitching. An additional bracelet of a black calfskin strap with a green rubberised calfskin lining is available. The screw-down stainless-steel case back bears the Clifton Club collection coat of arms. Each bracelet is equipped with a pin buckle with stainless steel loops.
Classima Lady
Baume & Mercier has unveiled eight Classima Lady steel watches with new dials and sizes, and with quartz and automatic movements – including two jewelled models with mother-of-pearl dial and diamond-set case. This year, 27 mm and 34 mm versions join the existing 31 mm models. Each features the classic hours and minutes functions as well as a date display at 3 o’clock on the dial. All are mounted on a five-row stainless steel bracelet. The automatic watches are instantly recognisable with their Roman numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock, and feature a transparent sapphire case back through which the movement can be admired. There are beautifully feminine models with silver-plated dial and refined circular-grained minute track, as well as models with mother-of-pearl dial and diamond hour-markers. The Diamond-Set Classima Lady comes in a 31 mm case and is available in a quartz or automatic version. The automatic model features an elegant minute track that complements the dial.
