The following article was produced in partnership with Hardy Brothers.
Drawing inspiration from the French Riviera’s contrasting rhythms of leisure and motion, Baume & Mercier’s Riviera collection continues to embody a rare marriage of technical precision and sentimental resonance – and nowhere is that more apparent than in the latest chronographs.
With its bold angles and Riviera-born spirit, Baume & Mercier’s latest chronographs take the Maison’s sport-chic signature and breathe new life. Think crisp, architectural lines carved into a 41mm stainless steel case, with dials that riff on mid-century charm or clean monochrome contrast.
The Riviera M0A10828 leans into vintage allure with a brushed gold dial, blue steel accents, and a flyback function – a deft nod to the golden age of mechanical watchmaking, limited to just 73 pieces globally. Meanwhile, the Riviera M0A10827 favours sharp black-and-white balance, pairing a white wave-textured dial with black subdials and luminous detailing for instant legibility.
Both are powered by automatic chronograph movements with up to 48 hours of power reserve that sit beneath the Riviera’s iconic dodecagonal bezel, while interchangeable steel bracelets offer effortless versatility.
Baume & Mercier has a long-standing reputation in chronograph development, dating back to competition-winning timepieces of the late 19th century. That heritage is felt here, but it’s the Riviera’s refined energy, Mediterranean soul, and quietly daring design that set these chronographs apart in a sea of contemporary pieces.
The Clifton: A Nod to the Gold Era of Mid-Century Watchmaking
Rooted in the golden era of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, Baume & Mercier’s Clifton collection is a sophisticated line of contemporary wristwatches for men, that share a rich and storied DNA with the clean, slender dress watches that defined the 1950s.
Every line, curve, and surface of the new 39mm case has been reconsidered and refined, bringing a sense of architectural precision to the wrist. It’s slimmer, more balanced, and now topped with a domed sapphire crystal that softens its silhouette while subtly nodding to the mid-century pieces that inspired it.
Beneath the surface, all three references are powered by the brand’s in-house Baumatic movement, offering a 5-day power reserve, magnetic resistance up to 1,500 Gauss, and a level of timekeeping accuracy that rivals COSC-certified calibres. The result is a mechanical heart with enduring performance, backed by a generous eight-year warranty for added peace of mind.
The Clifton Baumatic M0A10778, limited to just 350 pieces worldwide, brings vintage warmth into sharp focus with its salmon-hued opaline dial — a tone borrowed from the 1940s and revived here with a modern twist. The Clifton Baumatic M0A10771 leans into a more contemporary elegance, with a lacquered gradient blue dial that darkens toward the outer edge. Clean crosshair detailing and polished rhodium-plated markers deliver contrast and clarity, while a wide date aperture at six o’clock anchors the display.
For those drawn to classic codes and precious materials, the Clifton Baumatic M0A10802 takes this collection to a new realm of opulence. Shaped by Baume & Mercier’s long-standing fascination with the Golden Ratio, this piece takes new proportions with gently domed crystal and sculpted lugs to the perfectly balanced date aperture and crosshair dial layout; every element has been carefully measured and expertly considered.
