A Look at the Baume & Mercier Riviera Baumatic 2022 Watch
Tuesday - 27 December 2022
Last year, the Riviera watch by Baume & Mercier returned with its spirit strongly emanating from the brand’s rich heritage in watchmaking. Today, its distinctive bezel and streamlined case crafted from stainless steel promise a robust tool for daily wear, paired with qualities like its luminous-coated dial elements for enhanced readability and a technically flawless Baumatic movement made a Richemont. Meet the new Baume & Mercier Riviera Baumatic watch with a smoked grey sapphire dial and robust steel interchangeable bracelet.
If you’re a devoted watch connoisseur and you’re at least a decade older than me (poor you!) you will have been lucky enough to have experienced the steel sports watch era that dominated the watch industry at that time. That means you’ll be more than familiar with the Baume & Mercier Riviera watch. In fact, even if you’re a much younger luxury watch collector, you’ll have tried a few vintage steel sports watches on your wrist by now and will probably have experienced wearing one.
The Baume & Mercier Riviera watch was first launched in 1973. It followed the launch of the iconic Royal Oak watch by Audemars Piguet, signifying the bold leap of faith that very few manufacturers dared to take during the time. Last year it returned from the past to celebrate the same recognisable style that first put the company on the map for creating superb, highly collectable timepieces. Its name takes inspiration from the French Riviera and its casually elegant lifestyle. Its steel case with an integrated bracelet broke traditional design codes during the 1970s and now continues to be revived in many different formats. One of these includes the Baumatic-powered model.
The Baumatic BM13-1975A movement
Previously, Baume & Mercier used the Baumatic 5-Days Chronometer movement as well as the BM12-1975A to power its precise wristwatches. The latter was the first Richemont Group movement to include a silicon balance spring. Now, the new Baume & Mercier Riviera Baumatic BM13-1975A movement enters the game. Developed to the same exacting standards and equipped with lubricants that have been developed by the Research & Innovations Teams at Richemont, these lubricants are specially developed to last longer whilst reducing friction and the frequency in which the watch will require service and maintenance. Interestingly, the BM13 movement doesn’t feature a silicone hairspring but does feature a silicon escapement. A chrome core ring around the outside of the movement helps protect it from magnetic damage resulting in overall improved performance. It promises to keep time to an established – 4/+6 seconds a day and boasts an impressive 120-hour power reserve. The new Baume & Mercier Riviera Baumatic watch reference 10702 displays the Baumatic manufacture calibre through its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass caseback. This transparency offers a view of its gear trains and technically flawless operation.
Other features of the Baume & Mercier Riviera Baumatic watch
The new Baume & Mercier Riviera Baumatic watch reference 10702 retains the key features of the Riviera line with a dodecagonal shaped bezel, distinct Roman numeral hour markers, and an interchangeable bracelet crafted from stainless steel. The spirit of the original 1973 model is still very much kept alive in its robust stainless steel case with four screws bolting its 12-sided bezel down. This powerful, unique and distinctive case design imparts a masculine and aggressive look fortified by other values like 100-meter water resistance and a strong sapphire crystal glass front. The latter is also treated with anti-reflective treatment to assist you with clear and easy timekeeping whether referencing the dial in the thick of night or whilst in conditions where light is limited. The new Baume & Mercier Riviera Baumatic watch also features a case depth of 10.66mm, a screw-down crown at 3 o’clock and a mix of polished and brushed effects across its case.
Riveted indexes are set against a smoky grey sapphire dial in this latest Baume & Mercier Riviera Baumatic watch. These hour markers are presented in a mix of baton-style markers and two Roman numerals – one at 12 o’clock – one at 6 o’clock. Coated in Super-LumiNova, these elements pair nicely with a set of luminous sword-shaped central hour and minute hands, as well as a straight and narrow second hand. The date window is located at 3 o’clock on the dial, whilst the Baume & Mercier name can be seen emblazoned onto the surface of the display at 12 o’clock. The watch is completed on a stainless steel bracelet with a triple folding clasp and a security push piece mechanism. The model also features Baume & Mercier’s interchangeable strap system that allows you to change the look of the timepiece from sophisticated to casual and back again, whenever you desire. Some of the watch’s possible band options include a blue, grey, and green smooth rubber strap, a blue camouflage-inspired rubber strap, and a grey textured rubber band.
If you’d like more information on Baume & Mercier’s range of Baumatic-powered Riviera watches, you can call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
