HANDS ON: The COSC-certified green goodness of the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic 10592
Fergus NashThis year’s green-dial train keeps on rolling with the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic 10592, the brand’s refined take on an “everyday watch”. Able to compliment any outfit from sweatpants-casual to wedding-day formalwear, the Clifton threads the needle between character and discretion in a way few other brands are capable of, managing to be beautiful without being ostentatious. A perfect daily watch cannot excel in any one particular area. It has to do a little bit of everything and this Baume & Mercier Clifton in smoked green is all that and more.
The dial
Even with the rise of fumé dials in general, a really well-executed one will always draw an appreciative eye. There’s a harmony between the black void of the edges and the slightly desaturated shade of crisp pine green in the centre, with a blueish overtone that merges with the silver finish of the steel. Overall, the impression these colours create is cool and crisp, which perfectly matches the sharp design elements such as the sword hands, needle-like indices, and the vintage-inspired printed crosshair.
The logos and text on the dial also add a level of sophisticated detail, providing the information that Baume & Mercier are so proud of without being too distracting or obvious, like an “automatic” label can sometimes be. The printed Arabic minute numerals around the perimeter of the dial combine with the crosshair and black date wheel to drip-feed a touch of sportiness to the watch, further solidifying its character as neither dress nor sport.
The case
The case of the Clifton Baumatic is the very definition of tasteful. It takes some clear vintage inspiration with its bubble-like shape and short, comfortable lugs, as well as a thin bezel that lets the 40mm diameter be mostly occupied with that gorgeous green dial space. That does mean the modern Clifton has more of a wrist presence than a true vintage 36mm watch for example. However, the aforementioned lugs ensure that it remains proportionately appropriate.
From the front, the case looks entirely polished as it plays with the light, but the side profile reveals a brushed section along its ridge, as well as the subtle chamfer that blends in the lugs smoothly. At 11.3mm thick this watch should have no trouble staying in its place, and with 50 metres of water resistance you will probably want to remove it before swimming, but you don’t need to cower in a rainstorm.
The movement
The term “in-house” is a total buzzword these days, with each further use of those words continuing to lessen their impact. However, the Baumatic BM13-1975A is an in-house movement in the truest sense, something which is incredibly rare for a Swiss watch in this price range. You can, of course, make the argument that all the Swatch Group’s brands use in-house movements through ETA, but you’re not guaranteed to get the same impressive decoration, anti-magnetic properties, five-day power reserve, and COSC-certified accuracy within -4/+6 seconds per day.
The Baumatic movement also has a recommended servicing interval of seven years, which isn’t half bad for a watch with a 28,800vph beat rate. The decoration deserves another mention, with a vast array of perlage finishing on the main covering plate as well as Geneva striping on the semi-skeletonised winding rotor.
The strap
The Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic 10592 comes on a seemingly uninspired black alligator strap, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Firstly, the fact that it’s inconspicuous does the watch a lot of favours, as any party tricks such as green stitching would have strayed slightly too far into novelty for this to be as versatile as it is. The second detail is that the quick-release spring bars are curved, giving an integrated feel that doesn’t grant any unsightly windows to your arm beneath the watch. Curved spring bars are still a rare feature for anything outside of top-tier luxury watchmakers, so they’re a welcome addition here.
The verdict
It’s no secret that watch prices are creeping up year on year, especially from the big Swiss names. To find a watch with looks as elegant as these from a heritage-laden brand at $4750AUD is reassuring, and potentially a potent gateway drug into the world of luxury watches. Packed with great specifications, in a comfortable case, and with an interesting dial, the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic 10592 is an inevitable crowd pleaser.
Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic 10592 pricing and availability
The Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic 10592 is widely available now for $4750AUD