Best of 2022: Baume et Mercier Hampton Men's Watch Collection
Thursday - 12 January 2023
Baume & Mercier has recently introduced some new watches to its Art Deco-inspired Hampton watch collection – each one defined by its instantly recognisable rectangular-shaped case and simple dial design. Within this slew of new Baume & Mercier Hampton watches for 2022 are a quartz-powered blue model with a mesh-style bracelet, a quartz-powered watch with an extended power reserve on a white dial and a brown leather band, an automatic model with a silver dial, and one with a grey dial and a second time zone complication.
The Baume & Mercier Hampton watch collection is inspired by the Art Deco style of the 1920s. The emerging trends of this time were inspired by bold geometric shapes. It was an era of innovation and experimentation for the Baume brothers, who had partnered with Paul Mercier back in 1918, becoming masters in this style. Today, a mix of clean lines and polished curves represent the spirit of the Hampton collection. The series is home to models for men and women and features a mix of automatic and quartz-powered models, some of which are fitted on a leather band - others on a mesh-style stainless steel bracelet or more traditional link-style bracelet.
Last year, at Watches & Wonders 2022, Baume & Mercier released its latest updates to the Hampton line – a design that has become a symbol of renewal with its rectangular-shaped case crafted from a range of materials. Some wristwatches from the Hampton line are beautifully amplified by the addition of a vintage-inspired mesh stainless steel bracelet, which enhances the smooth, vertical lines of the case shape and its gently sloping corners. The mesh steel bracelet dates back to a 17th-century Italian craft, hence its “Milano” name.
The new Baume & Mercier Hampton Automatic watch reference 10672 is powered by a self-winding movement that provides an autonomy of 38 hours. Its stainless steel rectangular-shaped case is met with a steel bracelet in the aforementioned tight weave design, with mixed brushed and polished elements that give the watch a true vintage-inspired feel. The model measures 43mm x 27mm and is topped by a strong piece of sapphire crystal glass that protects the surface of an opaline and grained silver dial. This display features riveted black ruthenium Arabic numerals and indexes, along with ruthenium “glaive” hands that are propelled gracefully over the surface of the dial by the ETA 2671. This automatic movement performs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and comprises a total of 21 jewels that are put on show through a glass exhibition caseback.
The large-sized Hampton watch ref 10666 is the most technically appealing timepiece released this year by Baume & Mercier for this collection. Its attractive opaline and grained slate grey dial is equipped with an additional time zone located at 6 o’clock in a small sub-dial. This feature is balanced beautifully with a date window at 12 o’clock, dressed against a white background and presented in a double aperture. The Baume & Mercier Dual Time Big Date watch separates the main hour track and the central section of the dial with a difference in dial textures, whilst a strong sapphire glass front has been treated with anti-reflective material to assist with reading the time at any point during the day or night. Baume & Mercier aficionados will enjoy admiring its automatic movement through a sapphire-backed case. Here, the movement capable of 42 hours once fully wound, features circular-grained bridges, a sand-blasted and snailed baseplate, and an oscillating weight with “Côtes de Genève” decoration.
The Baume & Mercier medium-sized Hampton ref 10670 is finished on a beige-coloured calfskin strap to match the beige and white finishes across its dial. Crafted in the same way, the “glaive” hands and Arabic numerals in a rhodium finish are nice, well-balanced features of this design. Its longer-lasting quartz movement sits inside a 50-meter water-resistant stainless steel case. The strap, with its white contrast stitching running down the sides, adds an elegant finish to this design and is interchangeable. This feature enables you to configure the watch with another band option to transform its look whenever desired. Its screw-down caseback is also spacious enough for the option of engraving a message upon its surface, making this Hampton watch a great gift idea for a loved one.
The last of the new Baume & Mercier Hampton watches for 2022 is this beautiful blue dial option powered by a quartz movement. The case has been crafted from stainless steel to match its Milano mesh bracelet and measures dimensions of 43mm x 27mm. The reference 10671 features classic Arabic numerals located at 12 and 6 o’clock, combined with a set of elongated baton hour markers. The opaline and grained dial gives this Baume & Mercier quartz-powered Hampton watch a chic aesthetic that will pair easily with elegant attire by night.
If you’d like more information on any of the new Baume & Mercier Hampton watches we’ve featured in this article, you can check out the entire Hampton watch collection at Jura Watches here, or call and speak to a member of our sales team on 01335 453453.
