Baume et Mercier Classima Watches

The rich heritage of Baume & Mercier dates back to 1830. The company started out as a family-owned watch dealership and was the brainchild of brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume in the village of Les Bois, in Switzerland. As the business expanded, the brothers gradually became known for their peerless timepieces and unique designs. They travelled from Switzerland to London to give their watches the spotlight they deserved and set up a branch called 'Baume Brothers'. With London as their base, they went on to gain fame across the British Empire, and in colonies in Australia, Africa, India, New Zealand, Singapore and Burma.

Feathers in their cap

Maintaining high quality has always been the motto for Baume and Mercier since its inception. In fact, in 1892, the company won precision timing trials hosted by the Kew Observatory. The accuracy of their chronometer pocket-watch, with tourbillion movement, was unmatched for over a decade. By late 19th century, they had won ten Grand Prix awards and seven gold medals at international watch exhibitions.

In 1918, the company director William Baume and Paul Mercier joined forces to establish Baume & Mercier. The brand soon gained international recognition for their craftsmanship and exclusively designed wristwatches. A year later, in 1919, the company was awarded the "Poinçon de Genève" quality hallmark.

How they kept up with the times

In the 1950s and 60s, the company designed and developed chronographs with multiple functions like a triple date display and moon phase. With this, they set the groundwork for the archetypal and traditional round watch. In the 1970s, they won a number of international awards, including the Golden Rose of Baden-Baden with their innovatively shaped Galaxie and Stardust. In the same decade, they also launched the world's first steel sports watch - the Riviera.

In 1988, the company joined the Richemont Group and found a prime place in the brand's flagship lines. Since then, the brand has continued to grow, and today, it is synonymous with luxury watches that don't make you rob a bank.

What Makes Baume & Mercier Watches Special

Baume & Mercier watches are prized for their craftsmanship, precision and innovative styles. Every stage of the manufacturing process happens at their workshop in Switzerland and is subject to strict quality checks. After all, the founder's motto was "Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality". Balancing artistic creativity with technical possibilities is the company's strength and what sets them apart from competitors.

In terms of pricing, buying a Baume and Mercier Classima is a sensible investment. Given that the watch meets the highest standards of quality, it is worth every cent. It's also an investment that could well become a family heirloom to be passed down from one generation to the next. The Baume & Mercier Classima collection boasts designs that start from a little under $1,000. At the other end of the spectrum, prices can go well into five-figures. The 18kt Baume & Mercier watch owned by Steve Jobs was auctioned for $18,750!

Top models from the Classima series

Both men and women go gaga for Baume & Mercier watches. The brand's women's line started in the 1940s and has been popular ever since. Today, they have 9 collections currently available. The Baume & Mercier Classima collection is often considered the entry level collection because of its affordable pricing.

The Baume & Mercier Classima collection targets young watch lovers who aspire to dream and attain them as well. This also happens to be the largest collection from this brand. The watches retain the brand's signature elements and take inspiration from one of the classics that can be seen only in the archives today. Roman numerals as the hour indices, elongated, elegant hands, Swiss quartz movement and a date window at the 3 'o' clock position characterize these chic watches. Classima watches are available for men and women in three stainless steel case sizes. The dial can be paired with a genuine leather strap or a steel bracelet. The steel case back offers plenty of space for personalized engraving too.

The Baume & Mercier Classima 10526 and the Classima 10453

The Baume et Mercier Classima collection for men is masculine, strong and formal. If you're looking for a watch to wear to a meeting with clients you want to impress, take a look at models like the Classima 10526 and the Classima 10453. Both watches are unique in their style but celebrate a minimalistic look. The Classima 10526 has a white dial set in a satin-finish, polished stainless steel case, and a matching steel bracelet, while the Classima 10453 has a black dial set in a polished stainless steel case and held in place by black leather straps. A sleek date window at the 3 'o' clock position gives the watch a secondary function.

The Baume & Mercier Classima10485

The Baume & Mercier Classima 10485 is a self-winding mechanical watch with a 48-hour power reserve. The blue dial has three sub dials with a complete calendar, a moon phase indicator and a chronograph for a second, minute and hand counter. The dial is set in a stainless steel case with a transparent case back and matching stainless steel bracelet.

The Baume & Mercier Classima Watches for Women

The Classima collection has many models catering to fashion-conscious women. These watches have a smaller dial and offer greater variety in terms of straps. The Classima 10325 is driven by quartz movement and features an elegant mother of pearl dial with stunning diamonds set as hour indices. It also has a date window at the 3 'o' clock position. The dial is set in a stainless steel case and complemented by a vibrant fuchsia alligator leather strap. It's the perfect balance of feminine grace and strength.

It's time to look and feel stylish

Watches undoubtedly complete your wardrobe, besides keeping you on time. With the right watch, you can make a unique style statement and feel more confident than ever before. So, no matter what your personal style is, you will find a Baume & Mercier timepiece that will shine the light on your personality and looks.