Swiss watchmaker Baume & Mercier launched several lines in an outdoor exhibit at Fashion Walk, Greenbelt 5.
The exhibit had whitewashed items to show how its designs capture the essence of “relaxing seaside living.”
Gretchen Barretto was at the opening, looking chic in mustard gold tunic, with Emerson Yao, managing director of Lucerne, the exclusive distributor of Baume & Mercier in the Philippines.
At its brightly lit and welcoming display at Adora, Greenbelt 5, Baume & Mercier’s managing director for Northeast Asia Christian Bartosch said, “We are all about family values and the celebration of moments and milestones. We are excited to present Baume & Mercier’s latest collection, which embodies our brand’s vision of conviviality and authenticity.”
Heritage and legacy
Bartosch stressed the company’s close-to-two-centuries (since 1830) watchmaking history. “Some brands do not make their own watches, but we actually have a heritage of making watches.”
Baume & Mercier draws from its legacy while reinterpreting some of its popular watch models to match the lifestyle and values of today’s individuals.
“I believe that the Philippine market will come to love these new lines because Filipinos are known for their refined taste and sophisticated style,” he said.
“Our concept is anchored on a global concept of seaside living, so it can be anywhere, it can be the Hamptons, it can be Boracay,” he says. “It represents an environment where you can reminisce milestones.”
“To us, it’s family that’s important. Many people acquire or receive a Baume & Mercier watch on special occasions like a birthday or graduation or anniversary. We are there when you spend quality time with your loved ones.”
Museum piece
The 2011 Hampton collection is inspired by a museum piece from the 1940s. The updated design keeps a rectangular shape, distinctive satined domed volume, curved case side and enhanced curved scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window.
The men’s pieces come in self-winding or automatic chronograph versions with two-tone, warm hues. Its straight alligator strap comes with an adjustable triple folding clasp.
The ladies’ pieces carry a signature jodhpur-shaped alligator or satin-finished polished steel wristband with an integrated case and bracelet that follows a cleaner line. “The unique shape of the wristband makes it lighter and more comfortable on the wrist,” said Bartosch.
There are two types of diamond embellishment: 20 diamonds in the curved case side, or a double row of 36 diamonds on the satined domed volume. A main emblematic piece has 80 diamonds with a total of 1.78 carats.
The back of the watch has a “Sundeck décor” (lightly etched stripes across a plain face, recalling wooden slats on a boardwalk) to allow for personalized inscriptions.
“We think about details like that,” said Bartosch. “The better to immortalize one’s important moments.”
Interchangeable straps
Linea, with its diamond-set bezel and prominent numerals, will appeal to “the contemporary self-expressive woman.”
Originally launched in 1980, it became an international bestseller, noted for its “confident allure and femininity.” The reinvented model has an enlarged domed crystal shape and interchangeable bracelets in metal, satin and black calfskin.
Capeland reinterprets a single-push chronograph from 1948. These watches are equipped with self-winding mechanical movement with a flyback chronograph function (for instantaneous resetting of the timer function).
Classima combines the simplicity of self-winding mechanical movements and modern watchmaking expertise such as dual time zone, power reserve. The watch’s case back features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window, displaying its internal mechanisms.