Baume et Mercier at SIHH 2019 presented their new Clifton Baumatic novelties and I must say that the entry level to Swiss watchmaking has never looked so appealing, with the brand refining and developing their Baumatic collection.
Clifton Baumatic Cadran Bleu
The Clifton Baumatic Cadran Bleu features a gradient sunburst blue dial, which transforms from a vivid blue to a smokey black bordered by a white minute track and accentuated by rhodium-plated hands. The 40mm steel case houses both a COSC and non-COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute – they buyer can choose for a few hundred Euro more) certified in-house movement featuring the Baumtic’s excellent 120 power reserve.
The Baumatic cadran bleu is available in two versions: one is mounted on an interchangeable black alligator leather strap with a pin buckle and one features a five-row steel bracelet with a triple folding clasp and security push-pieces which feels well constructed and sits harmoniously on the wrist. At €2400, it’s an appealing entry into the world of Swiss watches.
Clifton Baumatic Rouge
The Clifton Baumatic Rouge named after its 39mm 18k red gold case, houses a handsome “warm white” dial with a porcelain finish, adorned with riveted gold hour markers. A discreet anthracite crosshair on the dial symbolises the COSC certification. The second hand, also made of anthracite, contrasts with the gold hour and minute hands, and when combined with an ever so slightly smaller case make for a timeless and elegant dress watch.
Clifton Baumatic Perpetual Calendar
The new Baumatic Perpetual Calendar combines the Baumatic BM13-1975AC-1 movement, found in the watches above, with a perpetual calendar module. Mechanically ‘programmed’ to display the correct date until March 2100 the Baumatic self-winding movement offers a five-day power reserve and is resistant to ‘everyday’ magnetic fields, while only requiring a service once every seven years.
Continuing the elegant aesthetic of the Rouge, the Clifton Baumatic sports the same “warm white” porcelain finish dial, riveted hour markers and gold-tone hour, minute and seconds hands, while blued hands accentuate the calendar functions. The 42 mm satin-finished 18K red gold case comes in at 12.1mm thick and features a sapphire crystal case back revealing the calibre’s refined finishes including the semi open-worked gold-plated rotor.
Not only a pleasure to admire, the Clifton Baumatic Perpetual Calendar is also a delight to wear with curved lugs securing an interchangeable black alligator strap with 18K red gold buckle. At €22,000, there’s no arguing that it sits in competitive territory, however, there’s also no arguing that it should easily hold its own!
For more information on the Baume et Mercier SIHH 2019 release head to the Baume et Mercier website. Check out other more accessible watch options here.
