If elegance is the combination of grace and style then in its highest form it should be effortless. And it’s by taking this idea to heart that Baume & Mercier has made its Riviera timepiece the absolute pinnacle of casual elegance.
Ever since it was first released in 1973, the Riviera has provided unassailable proof of Baume & Mercier’s unmatched expertise in design and its ability to harness the very best materials and forge them into something special. Now, the Swiss brand has elevated the Riviera to new heights with the introduction of a pair of 42 mm GMT models that perfectly embody the laid-back luxury and offbeat refinement that have long been embedded in the Riviera line’s DNA.
Baume & Mercier Riviera GMT M0A10658 | Image : Baume & Mercier
For the Love of Travel
Naturally, both of these new models – the M0A10659 (AUD$4,700) and the M0A10658 (AUD$4,900) – are instantly recognisable as Rivieras, thanks to the 42 mm steel case with its signature twelve-sided bezel and four screws. But what really sets them apart is the introduction of a fourth hand to enable you, the jetsetting wearer, to track a second time zone. This red central hand slowly rotates around the dial once every 24 hours; its leisurely pace an expression of the relaxed attitude the Riviera represents, while also ensuring that the second time zone is tracked with absolute precision.
Driving this fourth hand – along with the other three – is a self-winding Swiss-made ETA 2893 movement with a 42-hour power reserve, which can be viewed through the tasteful see-through caseback. Turning the watch over reveals a dial boasting a remarkable tone-on-tone sun-satin finish with wave decoration, highlighted by a stunning shade of silver or blue.
Baume & Mercier Riviera GMT M0A10659 | Image : Baume & Mercier
Respect the Past, Create the Future
Both of Baume & Mercier’s new models are the culmination of half a century of refinement to the Riviera line, not to mention the extraordinary level of expertise the brand has accumulated since it was first established in 1830.
Taking the original Riviera design and updating its aesthetic for modern globetrotters, the M0A10659 features a blue rubber strap that matches its blue dial, while the M0A10658’s metallic statement is completed with a steel strap. However, if you feel like injecting a little variety into your wristwear, Baume & Mercier’s robust “Fast Strap” interchangeability system will make it easy to change straps from one destination to the next.
Finally, with water resistance to 100 metres and scratch-proof sapphire crystal (featuring anti-glare coating on both sides), you won’t find yourself feeling concerned about whether or not either of these new Rivieras will stand up to whatever you care to throw at them. And isn’t it this ability to live worry-free that really gives us the freedom to be casually elegant?
Discover more about Baume & Mercier’s new Riviera timepieces via the link below.
