The Riviera watch, a legacy of Baume & Mercier design
Created in 1973, the Riviera watch returns this year to revive the spirit of a distinguished watchmaking era. One of the Brand’s icons, it still features the distinctive bezel and streamlined steel watchcase that have brought it such renown. Rather than a revival, the fifth generation of this legendary watch strikes the chord of an authentic renewal.
Since '73
Some watches stand the test of time. The Riviera is one of those. When it was launched in 1973, Baume & Mercier chose to present a powerful, unique, different and distinctive watch. At a time when the watchmaking industry could afford to do almost anything, the Riviera broke with traditional codes.
A love of design, a regard for form, and a desire for boldness.
The New Generation
Here it is in 2021, still authentic: a generously sized steel case, a dodecagonal bezel equipped with four screws, “Swiss Made" self-winding and quartz movements, and built-in interchangeable straps in steel or supple materials. The original design is still there, but so is the desire to adapt to our times. It rounds a curve as it continues along, leaving its impression on the living legacy of a Brand on the move. It resembles its forbearers, but it rewrites their history. In its own way, as it always has.
Three looks for the fifth-generation Riviera: a versatile watch
Riviera Baumatic
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. 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, as if time had no hold over this watch. Indeed, it has stood the test of time without batting an eyelid.
Riviera - 42mm
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 (water striking stone); 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 our times.
Riviera - 36mm
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 collection, it is water-resistant to 50 meters.