Since its
formation in 1918 Baume & Mercier has steadily risen to
the ranks of fine luxury watches steadily. The merging of the
personalities of William Baume and Paul Mercier has proven
to be the key to success for this much respected company.
Throughout the years the company has received prestigious awards and produced
a wide range of watches from classic models to jewelry watches, some of which
have been award winning including their Signature line Riviera. In 1921 they
received the much coveted Poinson de Geneve the highest honor given master watchmakers
by the Republic and Canton of Geneva.
Baume & Mercier watches are finely crafted using the best of old and new
watch making techniques and artistry. Some of the best known creations are the
Hampton collection which features a series of square and rectangular watches
for both men and women. Other well known models include the Tronosonic, the Marquis
and the Catwalk.
Recognized
by its”phi “symbol Baume & Mercier watches embody
fundamental values, superior quality materials and workmanship
and a love of design and detail. This symbol has appeared on
the clasp and dial of all Baume & Mercier pieces since 1964.
Today, with
a worldwide network of outlets the Baume & Mercier time pieces
are available on virtually every continent. Their product has
been endorsed by the likes of Meg Ryan, Charlize Theron, Johnny
Depp and Keifer Sutherland.
Baume & Mercier
are today one of the companies forming the Richemont Group a
world leader luxury goods group whose specialty is jewelry, fine
watches and writing instruments. Other brands included in the
group are Vacheron Constantine, Cartier, IWC and A. Lange & Sohne
among others.
Richemont
Group values each of its brands for their individuality and heritage.
The group is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from many
countries around the world including France, England, South Africa,
Italy, the USA and Germany. Formed in 1988 the Group offers each
of its members the talent and expertise of some of the best executives
in the world while still maintaining their independent status.
Given the rapid growth of the group and the success of its member
companies this formula appears to be a winning one that will
benefit each member company for many years to come.
Baume & Mercier
Replica Watches - A Brief History
The history of Baume & Mercier
actually begins in the 1500’s during which time the Baume family was
involved in watch and clock making. Not a great deal of information is available
about this period except that the Baume family except that they had moved
from France to Switzerland where they established a reputation for precision
watch making that was passed down through several generations.
The next major reference
comes in 1830’s when two Baume brothers, Louis Victor and Pierre-Joseph-Celestin,
established Baume Freres watch company. Not much is known regarding the early
days of this firm and it was not until 1912 when William Baume met Paul Mercier
and the firm Baume and Mercier was established that the company truly comes
into its own.
The partnership was the
blending of two very distinct personalities. Baume brought his long family
history of watch making to the partnership. Additionally he was a reserved
man who was disciplined with a strong sense of family. Mercier was dynamic
and dedicated to the arts. Together they formed a firm that was based on
traditionalism and technology along with creativity and elegance.
It was from this point
that the firm rapidly grew to prominence. Within its first decade the company
received the coveted Poinson de Geneve an award given to recognize master
watchmakers by Republic and Canton of Geneva.
Over the ensuing years
the company developed many new innovations including the planetary rotor
a development that led to the production of the world’s flattest self
winding watch. Additional notable achievements include the 1971 entry into
the electronic era with the creation of the first tuning fork watch called
the Tronosonic, and the receipt of the Baden-Baden Golden Rose award for
its feminine creations in 1973.
In 1999 Baume & Mercier
became a member of the Richemont Group, a group of watch manufacturers that
includes a number of well known companies including Cartier, Piaget, A. Lange & Sohne,
Vacheron Constantine, Paneria and others.
Over the years the company
has produced many well known models including the Riviera, the Tronosonic,
the Hampton series and the Catwalk.
Baume & Mercier, the
renowned Swiss watchmaker, produces expertly crafted timepieces for today's
fashion conscious men and women. Capeland, Hampton, Catwalk and Linea are
a few of the brand's most popular Series. Prices range from $450 to $52,000
1940-1950
With Constantin de Gorsky at the helm between 1937 and 1958, Baume & Mercier
develops an avant-garde image, making its name as a leading manufacturer of
elegant watches adapted to the haute couture styles of the day.
1964
Representing balance and purity, the Greek letter PHI becomes Baume & Mercier's
symbol and is engraved on each one of its watches. It recalls the golden number,
a theory of such perfect balance that Leonardo da Vinci renamed it "divine
proportion".
1980-1990
Taken over by Cartier in 1988, Baume & Mercier finds new dynamics within
the family of one of the largest groups of international luxury products, the
Vendome Luxury Group (created in 1993). Since the creation of Riviera, Baume & Mercier
continues to bring out new models and flagship lines true to watchmaking art
and tradition. Linea (1987) is but one of many of these remarkable models.
2000 ...
Baume & Mercier moves into its new headquarters in a prestigious building
in the heart of Geneva, in March 1996.
