Baume & Mercier goes back to nature with a new collection of Riviera models
Russell SheldrakeWatch brands draw inspiration from all kinds of places. Whether it be the automotive world, food, or even cartoon characters, the germ of an idea for a watch can come from anywhere. For its latest pieces in the Riviera family, Baume & Mercier has looked to the nature surrounding the model’s namesake. Looking at the various colours that make up the rich French Riviera, the brand has turned them into these three dial colours. Spread over four different models varying in size from 36mm to 42mm, with solid and sapphire dials, there is plenty of variety, and these nature-inspired tones just so happen to be the incredibly on-trend colours of blue, salmon, and green.
Baume & Mercier Riviera M0A10770 Green Sapphire
This is the one and only sapphire dial in this new batch of releases, which means you get a much better view of the Baume & Mercier Baumatic movement inside, another exclusive in this batch for this model. This time-and-date version of the Baumatic (BM13-1975 A) comes with the standard, yet still impressive five-day power reserve, high magnetic resistance, and a reassuring eight years of warranty. The package comes in the 39mm, fully stainless steel version of the Riviera, making it a rather attractive option given the universality of its dimensions (only 10.2mm thick) and the practicality of its specs sheet. The green dial of this and the M0A10763 both draw their hues from the lush and dense forests that surround the Riviera.
| Brand | Baume & Mercier |
| Model | Riviera |
| Reference | M0A10770 |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 10.2mm (T) |
| Case Material | Polished and brushed stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Smoked green sapphire |
| Strap | Integrated stainless steel |
| Movement | Baumatic BM13-1975 A, automatic |
| Power Reserve | Five days |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | US$3,900 |
Baume & Mercier Riviera M0A10764 Terracotta
Next, we’ll take a look at the only other model in this line up with a fully integrated stainless steel bracelet. The dial colour here is being called terracotta by the brand as it draws its inpiration from the distinctive terracotta tiles used throughout the French Riviera and give all of the houses their distinct orange roofs, but you could also get away with calling this particular shade salmon. The smallest of the bunch, it measured just 36mm, which is my preferred size for an integrated sports watch given that they tend to wear a little large. It runs off the trusty SW200 which carries the same functions as the previously mentioned Baumatic, but doesn’t carry the impressive stats. With a more conservative 38 hour power reserve and not as intricately decorated, this is a very functional movement choice for this watch.
| Brand | Baume & Mercier |
| Model | Riviera |
| Reference | M0A10764 |
| Case Dimensions | 36mm (D) x 9.5mm (T) |
| Case Material | Polished and brushed Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 Meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Lacquered salmon with wave pattern |
| Strap | Integrated stainless steel |
| Movement | SW200 |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, Minutes, Date |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | US$2,900 |
Baume & Mercier Riviera M0A10763 Forest Green
We now venture back into the forests for our next and final green dial, this time appearing in the same format as the terracotta above, a solid lacquer dial with a tone-on-tone wave pattern adding a touch of texture, while the brand may call it a wave pattern I’m more inclined to see it as leafs given the colour’s influence. This is the first of two models that comes in the Riviera 42mm size with a sporty, integrated rubber strap with its athletic aesthetic further enhanced by the black ADLC-coated 12-sided bezel, the same coating Cartier use for its black-on-black Santos model. Inside we maintain the SW200 calibre from the terracotta, but we have an upgraded 100m of water resistance.
| Brand | Baume & Mercier |
| Model | Riviera |
| Reference | M0A10764 |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 10.2mm (T) |
| Case Material | Polished and brushed Stainless Steel and ADLC-coated bezel |
| Water Resistance | 100 Meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Lacquered green with wave pattern |
| Strap | Rubber |
| Movement | SW200 |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, Minutes, Date |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | US$3,200 |
Baume & Mercier Riviera M0A10768 Sea Blue
Finally, we reach the inspiration that the Riviera is perhaps most known for, its water. This dark blue lacquered dial has the same wave motif as the previous two models on it, but given its far darker shade, the pattern is a bit more subtle than the others. This is perhaps the most under-the-radar choice of all four, as the darkness of the dial is amplified by the same black ADLC-coated bezel we saw previously, and black rubber strap. What I particularly like about this piece is that it could go with pretty much anything if you wrist fits a 42mm case size, with such muted tones, there is nothing here that would particularly clash. And given its sturdy SW200 movement and 100m water resistance, it can go anywhere too.
| Brand | Baume & Mercier |
| Model | Riviera |
| Reference | M0A10764 |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 10.2mm (T) |
| Case Material | Polished and brushed Stainless Steel and ADLC-coated bezel |
| Water Resistance | 100 Meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Lacquered blue with wave pattern |
| Strap | Rubber |
| Movement | SW200 |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, Minutes, Date |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | US$3,200 |