Timeless Appeal: Baume & Mercier Presents The New Riviera with New Sizes and Colours for Both Men and Women
By The Time Place Magazine
Summer has passed, autumn is underway, which means that the holiday season is just around the corner. If you are looking for matching couple watches as a Christmas gift to yourself as well as your nearest and dearest, take a quick peek at what Baume & Mercier has to offer.
The Geneva-based Swiss luxury watch brand has several signature collections under its belt, with the Riviera as one of the most notable. After being re-launched in 2021 through a fifth generation that offers a multitude of looks, the Riviera makes its mark once again to commemorate its 50th anniversary this year.
The Riviera was first released in 1973 and has adapted to every era while retaining its signature characteristics. Inspired by the carefree lifestyle of the French Riviera, this is a watch of casual elegance that symbolises an easygoing view of refined watchmaking. This year marks a gentle-yet-assertive evolution that continues to highlight the Maison’s distinctive expertise through the elaborate shapes and bold statement found in the watch design. Furthermore, this is also the first time that the Riviera collection is re-released in many variations not only for men, but also for women.
In addition to the 39 mm version which can be worn by both men and women, the Riviera is also available in smaller sizes of 33 and 36 mm models. Despite the addition of these new dimensions, the watch continues to be characterised by its dodecagonal case that offers a casual yet elegant look.
For Him: The Riviera M0A10714
One of the three 39 mm models released as part of its 50th anniversary, the Riviera M0A10714, is crafted in a polished and satin-finished stainless steel case. It features a smoked blue sapphire dial with a transparent wave transfer decoration. Showcasing the distinctive shape with twelve sides and four screws, the watch is mounted on an integrated interchangeable blue rubber and alligator strap with tone-on-tone overstitching.
Powered by the Baumatic self-winding manufacture movement, with a 120-hour power reserve, and a frequency of 4 Hz or 28,800 vph, the watch is water-resistant to 10 ATM or 100 metres and features a daily precision of -4 s/+6. A reliable interchangeability system enables the user to change styles with a single click without the need for tools.
For Her: The Riviera M0A10727 with blue dial
This year, Baume & Mercier brings forth new variations for women: one with a violet dial (Riviera M0A10728) and another with a blue dial (Riviera M0A10727). The latter boasts an azure blue sun-satin dial, adorned with a transparent wave transfer decoration. Available in a 33 mm diameter with a thickness of 9.6 mm, the case harmoniously nestles against the arm, enhancing every gesture with elegance and ethereality. The date is placed in an aperture at 3 o’clock, while the hours and minutes are indicated on Roman numerals and riveted indexes coated in Super-LumiNova (C1, blue glow) by faceted rhodium-plated hands.
The brand’s emblem, the Phi logo, appears in relief on the free octagonal crown, a reminder that the Maison chose the Greek letter as a reference to the golden ratio. The display is orchestrated by a quartz movement with a 10-year autonomy. In addition, the watch is water-resistant to 5 ATM or 50 metres.
With the same design and sporty-chic allure, the new Riviera watches adapt to the times and today’s aesthetic. The original form is still there, but the desire to stay abreast with the times is clear. The 2023 versions of the Riviera carry the evocative power of the original 1973 model in their DNA, while also showcasing multi-faceted and endlessly versatile appeal perfectly suitable for the present day.
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