Unravelling the nights of Watches and Wonders is Baume et Mercier, as the Riviera Diamants encapsulates those festivities that reach for the twilight hour.
As Watches and Wonders 2024 unfolds, we have surely seen and will see a great many spectacular watches throughout the days. But what of the night? If you’re an attending member of the public, surely you’re going to want the perfect nighttime partner as you stand amidst the crowds on the Quai Général Guisan. And even if, like me, you’re attending in spirit, a beautiful timepiece is always welcome to keep up with the thrill of the nightlife.
Enter the Riviera Diamants – the female partygoer’s best friend. Designed to embody the electricity of the nightlife, this new reference from Baume et Mercier demonstrates both the timeless chic and artistic craftsmanship that the Richemont brand is known for.
Ever the burgeoning underdogs of the horological world, Baume et Mercier has always been at the forefront of modernity and innovation. The Riviera collection, itself inspired by the French Riviera, is exemplary of their feats in the watch industry. Having been conceived at the dawn of the integrated bracelet sports watch craze of the 1970s, the Riviera predates the Patek Philippe Nautilus – one of, if not the most famous watches of this type – by a full three years, and postdates the equally iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak by just one. Whilst the Riviera collection has been available for the ladies for a while, the Riviera Diamants marks yet another stunning addition to the existing lineup.
Standing at a delicate 33mm diameter by 9.5mm thickness, the Riviera Diamants boasts a familiar yet prestigious silhouette. Encased in stainless steel, it’s as graceful as it is sporty and durable, an attitude only furthered by its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, with this elegant balance represented by the Phi logo present on both the dial and the signed crown. The dial also adds a further sense of refinement, coloured midnight blue and given a dual lacquered and transparent finish, again balanced out by the contrast of the heavily lumed hands and indexes, as well as the white 3 o’clock date window.
The star of the show, however, is the diamond-set bezel. Although a 33mm diamond-set Riviera does exist, the Riviera Diamants takes that reference’s diamonds and multiplies them by a factor of 11, introducing a meticulously crafted 44-diamond, 0.47-carat bezel into the Riviera collection.
Equally flamboyant and stalwart, the bezel continues the thematic balance, noticeably secured in place by four stainless steel screws, and is built to be water-resistant to 50m. Another star feature worth mentioning is the built-in strap feature, allowing the user to dynamically switch up the bracelet to a strap, advertently changing the mood of the timepiece on the fly, all without the use of tools. You would think such a feature is commonplace in the watch world (it isn’t), so I’m always glad to see it introduced more often.
The Riviera Diamants is powered by a Swiss quartz movement – a pariah in movement technology for some, but for others, the ten-year autonomy is an acceptable tradeoff. It requires very little maintenance, leaving more time for the important things in life – popping bottles of champagne or watching fireworks, for example. In addition, the lack of a traditional mechanical movement also offers a solid dodecagonal case back open for engraving, adding a bespoke and personal element to Baume et Mercier’s design.
Final Thoughts
As Watches and Wonders 2024 rolls on and we continue to get dazzled by its stacked array of releases, Baume et Mercier’s Riviera Diamants emerges as the perfect nocturnal companion for the female celebrant. With its elegant silhouette, diamond-set bezel, and Swiss quartz movement, it’s a welcome update to the female collection. Personally, almost any expansion to the women’s horological world is always good news, as they are vital to the furthering and maintaining of the ever-expanding women’s enthusiast’s circle.
So, as the festivities unfold, the Riviera Diamants promises to add a touch of glamour to every twilight moment, embodying the essence of sophistication and allure.
Reference: M0A10765
Specification:
- Case: 33mm
- Thickness: 9.5mm thick
- Case Material: Polished and brushed finished stainless steel with a 44-diamond-set bezel
- Case back: Steel
- Dial: Sun satin-finished lacquered blue dial with transparent wave decor
- Hands/Indices: Riveted and faceted applied indices with Rhodium-plated hands
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Water resistance: 50m / 5bar
- Movement: Swiss Quartz
- Strap/Bracelet: Integrated 3-link brushed and polished steel bracelet with double folding stainless steel clasp
