Since 1830, Baume & Mercier has been creating timepieces that combine beauty and pertinent creativity with the excellence, constancy and reliability of Swiss watchmaking.
That watchmaking vision inherited from the Baume family, which has endured for nearly 200 years, shines through the dashing Riviera collection. The brand defied the watchmaking codes of the times when, in 1973, it revealed an unprecedented case with a dodecagonal bezel topped with a flat-linked metal strap.
As it explores a spectrum of colors and a variety of features, this iconic timepiece shows its resemblance to the Riviera, the sea resort that gave rise to it: that special style, inimitable atmosphere, contrast, emotion...
Each of the new Riviera models evokes one of the many facets of the Riviera, from its natural features to its delightful dolce vita.
While illustrating the Maison’s design savoir-faire and watchmaking expertise, they evoke the distinguishing features of this coastal region’s legendary art of living: the ocean, the mountains, the sky, the streamlined architecture of its modern villas, and of course, its festive nights.
FIVE GENERATIONS OF RIVIERA
AT THE BEGINNING
Launched in 1973, the Riviera features metal bracelet with flat links and electronic tuning fork movement ESA 6192 with window date for an avant-garde-minded clientele. The Riviera signature is not yet visible on the dial. In 1975, the Riviera expanded with large, medium and small models in steel, steel/gold or solid gold featuring automatic and quartz movements.
ROARING EIGHTIES
In 1979, Riviera comes with flatter quartz movements and thus thinner case. From then on, the name of the collection “Riviera” is written on the dial. At this time, Baume & Mercier followed the trend towards smaller wristwatches. From 1981, it became a diving watch and showed the time in any zone of the world. It also added a feminine version and for the first time used gold as well as steel, with a two-tone intermediate version.
TIME OF COMPLICATIONS
In 1985, Baume & Mercier launched a third generation of the Riviera model. The bezel became smoother and less angular. With polished and brushed surfaces, the case and herringbone bracelet were also more rounded. Technically it reached a new level of sophistication and reliability with a miniaturized screw-in crown, improving water resistance. It was equipped with the new, extra-thin quartz movements and a more visible date.
A large steel model with leather strap rounded out the Riviera line. Baume & Mercier also returned to mechanics as part of the mechanical renaissance. From then on, the large models in the bicolor and steel/steel versions were again available with automatic movements.
As before, it came in four sizes and in gold in steel or in both metals. In 1987, it came out with a full calendar showing the dates, days, months and phases of the moon. For its 20th anniversary in 1993, it appeared as a chronograph.
SPORTY TWENTIES
We had to wait until 2004 to discover the fourth generation. Baume & Mercier icon dropped its evening wear and donned a sports suit with its 4-screw design.
Finally, in 2007, the Baume & Mercier Design Studio created an even more racy look with the Riviera MAGNUM, a collection that was definitely ready for action. Part of the MAGNUM Collection, Baume & Mercier is enriching its Riviera MAGNUM sports collection with two new large-scale models: an all-black chronograph with flyback function and transparent dial in a limited edition, and an athletic three-hand and date model, both in a new XXL size of 45 mm in diameter (compared to 43 mm for the previous versions).
TURNING FIFTY
Created in 1973, the Riviera watch returns this year to revive the spirit of a distinguished watchmaking era. Here it is in 2021, still authentic: a poised sized steel case, a dodecagonal bezel equipped with four screws, a “Swiss Made" self-winding calibre , and a built-in interchangeable steel bracelet. The original design is still there, but so is the desire to adapt to our times.
THE RIVIERA, AN INFINITELY CHARMING SPOT
