Vintage is in, bling is out, natural colours subtly underline the classic looks of one watch brand’s products. And the inspiration is more Great Gatsby than the stringency of the Jura.

This year, Alain Zimmermann, CEO of Baume & Mercier, put the final touches to the second chapter of his book on the new evolution of the Swiss Maison d’Horlogerie. During the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva in January, Zimmermann, the brand’s designer-in-chief Alexandre Peraldi and his team presented Baume & Mercier’s latest Linea, Capeland and Hampton collections with an emphasis on larger case sizes for women with strong tones and set with diamonds, and larger lines for men with a greater selection of dials and straps.

The Capeland

A new 44-millimetre case is being used for five chronographs. The new look offers bold, but easy-to-wear distinction. In addition to the more generous case size, these newest watches boast new complementary two-tone colours for the dials. Among the diversified interpretations of the line are a silver-coloured dial with blue telemeter, and a trendy blue and black dial as response to the increased demand in blue men’s watches. These dials feature Arabic numerals, with dots and hands daubed with luminescent Superluminova. Each of these 44-millimetre watches come with a polished and satin-finished steel case, anti-glare and scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystals, and new horological flashes, like an adjustable folding security buckle and sapphire crystal case back secured with six screws, which reveals the decorated oscillating weight with the brand’s distinctive Phi symbol. For those who love the look of metal, the brand also offers an artful stainless steel bracelet with a smoothly integrated case-tobracelet look.

Linea

Since 1987, when it became an iconic watch, the Linea line has been one of Baume & Mercier’s most versatile collections. In its new incarnation, Linea features a 27-millimetre case with a quartz and chrono-quartz movement and, recently, the brand’s first automatic movement in 32 millimetres. The 27-millimetre watches feature conveniently integrated interchangeable straps. A special system facilitates strap changes, masking the Linea a very pleasant everyday watch: strap colours and materials are updated regularly. Twice a year, new seasonally inspired coloured straps will be released – enabling women to further enhance their Linea wardrobe and their own timeless style. Today’s Linea is fully equipped to appeal to active, creative, open-minded and sophisticated women.

Article by Raymond Langley