Baume & Mercier Riviera Automatic

THE RIVIERA COLLECTION

First released in 1973 and reinterpreted last year, the Riviera watch expresses the Maison’s expertise in design and use of materials. A Baume & Mercier lifestyle icon, this timepiece with pure, slender lines and an immediately recognizable twelve-sided bezel comes into its full maturity. 2022 herald a 42 mm men’s version (Baumatic and self-winding), as well as 33 mm (self-winding) and 36 mm (self-winding and quartz) women’s versions… And the Riviera has not had its last word. It’s about time for enjoyment and joie de vivre.

With almost fifty years behind it, the Riviera is no newcomer. Inspired by the carefree lifestyle of the French Riviera, this is the watch of casual elegance, symbolizing an easygoing view of refined watchmaking. It was first developed in 1973 and has adapted to every era, year after year, while staying true to its special style. Its steel adornments and strong shape have always represented a form of freedom, an offbeat elegance. And now it represents renewal. In 2021, Baume & Mercier presented the fifth-generation Riviera, which continues to uphold the Maison’s expertise, capturing the signs of our modern times to better revisit them. This year does not mark a revolution, but rather a gentle-yet-assertive evolution, continuing to bring distinctive Baume & Mercier expertise to the design through its elaborate shapes and bold statement.

Athletic and elegant!

More than any other, the Riviera collection demonstrates the expertise of Baume & Mercier design in the field of watches with athletic shapes. Its uncompromisingly creative approach and recreational aspirations – which are the essence of the Maison’s style – are still in the minds of those who love this model. And there are a lot of those. The Riviera is back again this year in subtly grayish hues, with a variation on the “Swiss-made” 42 mm automatic Riviera with a steel case and a slate dial on an interchangeable steel or gray rubber strap. The sand-blasted titanium bezel, fastened to the case with four functional screws, brings this contemporary piece a stealthy, driven look. A distinctive look reinforced by a gold-plated PVD ring, which provides luminosity in a perfect juxtaposition of the matte hue of the bezel and strap. There’s no mistaking its sporty pedigree. It is subtly softened by a dial in a beautifully lacquered “slate” hue, highlighted by tone-on-tone “wave” decorations, as well as Roman numerals and indexes in gold-plated steel. This back-and-forth play between classic style and a casual spirit is also expressed through the strap. Thanks to the reliable, robust Fast Strap interchangeability system – available for the entire collection –, it is easy to change the timepiece’s look with no need for tools. The new Riviera is sporty yet chic!