Created in 1973, the Baume & Mercier Riviera watch echoes the spirit of a distinguished watchmaking era. Known for its twelve-sided bezel reflecting the twelve hours displayed on its dial, this unique wristwatch has been relaunched by the Swiss watch brand.
Revived in 2021, the Riviera strikes a balance between its roots in avant-garde ‘70s design and the sport-minded classicism of today’s watches. More than any other, the Riviera collection demonstrates the expertise of Baume & Mercier in the field of unusually shaped watches. Its uncompromisingly creative approach and recreational aspirations express the essence of the iconic Swiss brand’s style, then and now.
The new generation Riviera watch is available in three size variations, each in steel: diameters of 36 mm, 42 mm and 43 mm. Loyal to the original, the “Swiss Made” self-winding Riviera in a 42 mm diameter revisits the fundamentals of the legendary model.
It has a dodecagonal – twelve-sided – bezel, true it its form; a unique decoration (blue, black or silver) that symbolizes the convergence of the mountains and the ocean; and interchangeable straps in steel or blue rubber for a “full blue” version. The shape of the original 1973 watch is still present, but it has been updated to suit the demands of the modern era.
In a 36 mm diameter, the Riviera addresses active, independent women with assertive personalities. As feminine as can be, it is driven by a “Swiss Made” quartz movement; its steel version is adorned with an azure blue or silver dial, while its rubber strap version features a black dial.
A self-winding version equipped with a tried-and-true “Swiss Made” movement is also available as part of this refined line; and like the entire women’s collection, it is water-resistant to 50 meters (the men’s timepieces are water-resistant to 100 meters).
Last but not least, the Riviera also docks at the marina to showcase a luxury version equipped with the in-house BAUMATIC caliber, which has been known and acclaimed for several years, particularly through its success with the Clifton collection.
The BAUMATIC movement also drives the ultimate interpretation of the Riviera by proposing –among other features – a five-day power reserve, a daily precision of -4 s / +6 s, and a magnetic resistance of 1500 Gauss, which provides solid protection against magnetic fields on an everyday basis.
A technical jewel, the BAUMATIC Riviera clearly intends on addressing the expectations of future watch owners seeking excellence and irreproachable quality.
The BAUMATIC Riviera is available with a smoky blue decorated sapphire dial on a built-in steel strap, or with a smoky gray decorated sapphire dial on a supple black strap. The transparency of its opaque dials provides an opportunity to admire the moving gear trains of the BAUMATIC.
Some watches get lost to time and others stand the test of it. The Baume et Mercier Riviera is certainly one of the latter. First launched in 1973, the Riviera was designed to embody the refined and elegant lifestyle of the south east French coast of the same name. At the time of its release, it broke the boundaries of traditional watch design, embracing a strong presence characterised by a twelve sided bezel and integrated stainless steel bracelet. This striking silhouette returns as part of the Swiss watch brand’s 2021 Watches & Wonders exhibit as the Baume et Mercier Riviera watch collection.
Baume and Mercier Riviera
