In the historical ebb and flow of watchmaking, Baume & Mercier's Riviera fits right in, a watch that in 1973, following in the wake of Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak launched a year earlier, became one of the pioneers of sports/elegant steel watchmaking. More than logical, therefore, for the brand, at a time when sporty-chic has regained great success, to have revived its legacy from 2021.
The emblematic steel case with its integrated bracelet and the dodecagonal bezel with its four attachment screws have given shape to a new collection, available in various sizes, colours and movements, with a sporty, trendy look thanks also to the Fast Strap interchangeability system, which makes it easy to choose between a metal bracelet or a coloured rubber strap, without the need for any additional tools. All at a decidedly competitive cost, in keeping with the excellent quality/price ratio that is one of Baume & Mercier's strong points.
The latest development introduces a model with a GMT function to the collection: thanks to a red hand, which circles the dial in 24 hours, it is possible to know the local time of the travel destination indicated on a peripheral graduated scale.
The movement used, the self-winding ETA 2893, housed in a 42 mm diameter steel case, is visible through the sapphire glass porthole on the case back. It is water-resistant to a depth of 100 metres.
Two variants are available: one with a blue dial and matching rubber strap and the other with a silver dial and steel bracelet (both dials feature a wave motif).
Pricesfrom 3,250 to 3,450 euro.
