THE HOME OF WATCH CULTURE

“Just created, 50 years ago” – Baume & Mercier CEO David Chaumet recalls the Riviera story “Just created, 50 years ago” – Baume & Mercier CEO David Chaumet recalls the Riviera story

“Just created, 50 years ago” – Baume & Mercier CEO David Chaumet recalls the Riviera story

Borna Bošnjak

One of the original champions of the geometrical, integrated-bracelet watch design is Baume & Mercier, first entering that market with the 1973 Riviera. Its dodecagonal bezel and minimal dial layout were designed by Jean-Claude Gueit, preceding many integrated-bracelet icons by some years. David Chaumet has been steering the Baume & Mercier ship since 2019, and has seen the brand continue to expand their excellent Baumatic movement (now with a fantastic eight-year warranty) to more watches in the line, as well as push the Riviera’s revival. Watch Andrew and Mr Chaumet chat about the Rivera’s Golden Jubilee, or read on for a brief overview of the brand’s latest releases celebrating the model’s 50th anniversary.

New styles and new sizes

If you’ve ever tried the Riviera on, you would’ve noted it for its large-wearing case. In order to remedy that and make the Baumatic move more appealing to a larger range of wrist sizes, Baume & Mercier’s headlining release of the fair was the Riviera Baumatic in 39mm. Sporting that same dodecagonal bezel with four screws and a smoked sapphire dial in blue or black, Baume & Mercier is also making it available in two case finishes. The blue or black-dialled Riviera 39 is cased in stainless steel, with either an FKM rubber/alligator strap hybrid or an integrated steel bracelet, whereas the black-anthracite dial is fitted to a two-tone steel and titanium version that proved successful in a larger 42mm case.

Should you find yourself wishing for a brawnier Riviera, the new Azur 42mm will be right up your alley. It retains the smoked sapphire dial and twelve-sided bezel consistent across the Riviera Baumatic models, but both gain additional utility. The bezel sports a graduated diver’s scale and anodised aluminium inserts for extra grip, while the dials become more legible, helped by a uniquely shaped handset vaguely reminiscent of a modern snowflake-plongeur combination – name suggestions, anyone?

Both of these are powered by the Baumatic calibre, with a five-day power reserve and magnetic resistance of up to 1,500 Gauss (that’s more than the new Ingenieur, mind you). New for 2023 is also the announcement of an additional six years of warranty upon registration of your Baumatic-equipped Baume & Mercier, for a total of eight years. Credit, where credit’s due.

Baume & Mercier Riviera 2023 collection pricing and availability:

The Baume & Mercier Riviera Automatic 39mm is available now in four variants. Price: A$5,800 (steel/blue dial/rubber strap), A$5,800 (steel/black dial/bracelet), A$6,100 (steel/blue dial/bracelet and rubber strap), A$6,300 (titanium/black dial/rubber strap)

The Baume & Mercier Riviera Azur 300m is available now in two variants. Price: A$6,200 (blue dial/rubber strap), A$6,500 (black dial, bracelet)

Brand Baume & Mercier
Model Riviera 39mm
Riviera Azur 300m
Reference Number 10714, 10715, 10746, 10720
10716 10717
Case Dimensions 39mm (D) (39mm)
42mm (D) (Azur 300m)
Case Material Stainless steel or titanium/stainless steel
Stainless steel
Water Resistance 100 metres 300 metres
Dial Black or blue smoked sapphire
Crystal(s) Sapphire
Strap Steel bracelet, rubber strap or rubber/alligator hybrid strap (39mm)
Steel bracelet or rubber strap (Azur 300m)
Lug Width Integrated bracelet/strap
Movement Baumatic BM13-1975A, produced by ValFleurier
Power Reserve 120 hours
Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Availability Now
Price A$5,800 (39mm 10714)
A$5,800 (39mm 10715)
A$6,100 (39mm 10746)
A$6,300 (39mm 10720)A$6,200 (Azur 300m 10716)
A$6,500 (Azur 300m 10717)