A Look at the 2022 Baume & Mercier Riviera Automatic Watches
Friday - 02 December 2022
The steel luxe sports watch by Baume & Mercier takes the name of the Riviera and has been around since the 1970s. Its distinctive bezel and streamlined case shape make it a popular addition to many sports watch enthusiasts’ collections. Baume & Mercier like to refer to the newest releases of the Rivera series as renewed designs as opposed to a revived collection as such. Released during a time when steel sports watches were the order of the day, the Baume & Mercier Riviera watch, unveiled back in 1973, provided a powerful and distinctive aesthetic, abandoning traditional watchmaking codes and daring to break boundaries.
In 2021, the renewed Baume & Mercier Riviera watches featured striking dodecagonal-shaped bezels fixed to robust stainless steel cases and were equipped with four screws that gave the timepieces a masculine, disruptive look on the wrist. Inside the case was a Swiss-made automatic movement or a quartz movement for guaranteeing uncompromised reliability. In addition to this, designers at Baume & Mercier decided to equip these watches with interchangeable straps that make it easy to switch between a material band and a robust stainless steel bracelet whenever desired. Its round curves that follow the shape of the case under the bezel are a poetic reference to the continually moving brand and its endless spirit of innovation.
There are five models we’ll look at in this article on the latest Riviera Automatic watches released by Baume & Mercier. These include a large 42mm model with a titanium bezel and steel case surrounding a grey dial with rose gold-coloured appliques, which can be purchased on a sporty grey rubber band or a stainless steel bracelet, a smaller 36mm titanium and steel model on a metal bracelet, a luxurious 33mm steel model with a captivating blue diamond-set dial, and two 33mm steel-on-steel models presented on a pink or mother of pearl dial. All of these models are powered by an ETA Swiss-made automatic movement for guaranteed accuracy.
Other models released alongside these five include a diamond-adorned quartz movement and an automatic model equipped with the brand’s Baumatic movement. The latter is an acclaimed movement that has already powered Baume & Mercier watches from the Clifton collection.
The Baume & Mercier Riviera Automatic reference M0A10660 is the largest offering in the new line-up. Its stainless steel case is topped with a lightweight titanium bezel featuring the instantly recognisable four screws atop its monochromatic surface. It frames a grey-coloured dial with a wave-effect surface pattern and a set of elegant rose-gold coloured hour markers and hands. Its subtle greyish hues are complimented by its angular bezel and a choice between a supple and sporty grey rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet. Protected underneath a sapphire crystal glass surface is a black date window at 3 o’clock and two Roman numerals positioned at 12 and 6 o’clock amongst a remaining track of baton hour markers. These features are enhanced by Super-LumiNova to assist with referencing the time during the night.
The Baume & Mercier Riviera Automatic reference M0A10661 offers the same dial and bezel but in smaller proportions. This 36mm option can be worn as a unisex design and is equipped with a Swiss-made automatic movement that propels a set of luminous hands around a slate grey textured dial, with additional rose gold-coated features that add a sense of indulgence to its overall aesthetic. Its caseback is fitted with a piece of sapphire crystal glass that enables a clear view into the movement whilst at work.
The Baume & Mercier Riviera Coastline Automatic reference M0A10677 is an ode to the French Riviera and is brought to life by a night blue dial, exquisitely decorated with scintillating diamonds. These lustrous stones travel from the sun satin finished gradient dial into the bezel and case itself totalling 96 altogether. The formation of the diamonds symbolises the shape of the French coastline, whilst the simple two hands and lack of hour markers nod to a very minimalist layout. This elaborately designed Riviera watch for women is fitted on a stainless steel bracelet.
Lastly, the two 33mm Baume & Mercier Riviera models offered as a steel-on-steel design are adorned with a pink dial (reference M0A10675) and a mother of pearl dial (reference M0A10676). These women’s Riviera watches feature date windows dressed against a white background and a robust stainless steel bracelet that encloses with a brand-engraved folding clasp. These new light and supreme dial colours assert a resolutely feminine feel. Imbued with the unmistakable Riviera style.
If you’d like additional information on any of the Riviera watches we’ve featured in this article, you can check out the entire Baume & Mercier Riviera collection here online, or call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453
