Launched in 1973, the Riviera collection is one of Baume & Mercier's most emblematic. The House recently presented a new Perpetual Calendar version, limited to just 50 pieces.
Easily recognisable by the use of the dodecagonal bezel fixed with four Allen-head screws, the Riviera collection is certainly one of the best known of those offered by Baume & Mercier. The name is inspired by the French Riviera (the famous Côte d'Azur), and in particular its 'art de vivre'.
The Riviera Perpetual Calendar shown here, produced in a limited edition of only 50 numbered pieces on the back, draws its inspiration from a 1985 model with a complete calendar. However, the new model is equipped with a perpetual calendar function, meaning it can also recognise leap years. The perpetual calendar complication was introduced on the Riviera in 2023, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the collection, and in particular on a model with a mustard-coloured dial, also produced in a limited edition of 50 pieces.
Riviera Perpetual Calendar: limited edition of 50 pieces
The watch uses the Baumatic BM13-1975AC2 calibre, with a 5-day power reserve.
The Riviera Perpetual Calendar adopts a steel case 40 mm in diameter by 11.8 mm thick. The famous dodecagonal bezel has a polished and satin finish and frames a grey dial with vertical brushed finish, protected by a sapphire crystal with interior and exterior anti-reflective treatment. Dodecagonal is also the back, fitted with a sapphire crystal porthole. The pressure-locked crown, personalised with the Greek letter Phi (the Maison's logo), on the other hand, is octagonal.
The blued counters offer date (at 3 o'clock), day (at 9 o'clock) and month and leap cycle indications (at 12 o'clock). Moon phases at 6 o'clock complete the picture. The movement used, calibre Baumatic BM13-1975AC2 (28,800 vibrations per hour, 120-hour power reserve) is equipped with an additional Dubois Dépraz module. Noteworthy are the bridges decorated with circular graining, the plate sandblasted and finished with colimaçon motifs, the oscillating weight pierced and decorated with côtes de Genève motifs with a colimaçon finish and the Baume & Mercier engraving. The integrated three-link steel bracelet is interchangeable, thanks to a system that allows it to be changed without tools. The House also provides a second additional grey rubber and alligator strap with tone-on-tone stitching. The triple folding buckle is made of stainless steel with a safety clasp. Finally, water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 5 atmospheres (50 metres).
Price21,500 euro.
