Baume & Mercier’s latest collection is the New Riviera 39mm range, released as a part of the celebrations for the Riviera line’s 50th anniversary. Back in 2021, the brand reinterpreted this signature collection as a 5th generation update. From that 2021 release, we saw how the brand year after year, updates its design and use of materials to keep it up to date with modern times.
The Riviera collection is recognisable thanks to its twelve-sided bezel with four symmetrical screws. Now, for their Watches & Wonders release in 2023, Baume & Mercier is bringing out the Riviera for the first time in a 39mm case size (for both men & women) with three different material variations.
The timepiece was inspired by the French Riviera, this latest collection still keeps intact the casual elegance, the sharp lines, and simplistic yet beautiful dial designs of what made the previous models for the past 50 years so adored and liked by watch fanatics around the world.
Each of the three variations of this latest Riviera 39mm conveys a “perennially fashionable sport-chic allure” as stated by Baume & Mercier. The models come in two dial variations with different materials for the case/bezel construction. Regardless of the model, however, all three of them bring a new light into what is a historic collection.
The first model in this new line is the Riviera M0A10714. This timepiece would have to be my personal favourite from the collection as it comes with a polished and satin-finished stainless steel case and a beautiful smoked blue sapphire dial that also features a transparent wave transfer decoration. This wave transfer decoration is an iconic design on the Riviera timepieces, a reference to the waters of the French Riviera. To finish off this timepiece, it comes with a dial matching blue integrated interchangeable rubber and alligator strap that has tone-on-tone stitching.
The second model in this collection is the Riviera M0A10715, which has the same case and bezel material, however, this time features a smoked grey sapphire dial. The transparent wave transfer decoration is shown as well. This timepiece is offered in a stainless steel integrated bracelet that has three rows of polished and satin-finished links.
The last model in this collection is the reference Riviera M0A10720 and it comes with a sand-blasted titanium bezel that has a central bezel ring made from 5N gold-plated PVD steel. Like the reference M0A10715, this model also comes with a smoked grey sapphire dial with a transparent wave transfer decoration. The strap that is offered for this model is an integrated gray rubber strap with a canvas texture. The colour of the strap matches nicely with the sand-blasted titanium bezel, which also lets the stainless steel case stand out.
All three models come with the Baumatic manufacturing movement. This movement offers a daily precision of -4 /+6 seconds, up to 1500 Gauss of solid resistance against magnetic fields, and a staggering power reserve of five days! This five-day power reserve allows you to wear the watch Monday-Friday, leave it for the weekend and then come back to it again the following week without needing to wind it.
This latest update for the Riviera collection’s 50th anniversary brings it forward to a new era, whilst still retaining the core essence of what makes the Riviera timepiece stand out from the crowd.
References: Riviera M0A10714, M0A10715 & M0A10720.
Specification:
- Case: 39mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel, with one reference having sand-blasted titanium bezel
- Dial: Smoked blue sapphire/ gray sapphire dial with transparent wave transfer decoration
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 100 m (10ATM)
- Movement: Baumetic movement
- Power reserve: Five days
- Bracelet/Strap: Blue rubber/ alligator strap, stainless steel bracelet, or gray rubber strap with canvas texture
