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astcell · 18 October 2006, 10:38 AM

While drooling over a $16,000 rose gold Breitling again I saw an interesting watch by Baume and Mercier. I don't know a thing about them as far as quality, are they worth owning, and so on. The watch I liked is the Classima as seen here. $1895 - 15%. Is it a pig in a poke? Is it accurate? Is it a good deal? It is at an AD, I worry about online purchases. I just don't want to buy something from Mr. Popeil and find I have been swindled.

Rto · 18 October 2006, 10:41 AM

As per I know Braumer Mercier is a very nice manufacturer...I do not know about this exactly model, but I think that price can not be something for real...Maybe the experts here can better answer you. just my 2 cents

Rockrolex · 18 October 2006, 12:47 PM

B&M is a decent manufacture. I don't think they make their own movements. Typically their models are dressier and more on the jewelry side. Probably on a par with Eibel and others of that ilk.

astcell · 18 October 2006, 01:12 PM

The price on base for the same watch is $1179. Pretty good discount, but on a 1-10 where would the the manufacturer sit?

dman · 18 October 2006, 01:32 PM

One of the Mods over on another board has a BM Classima XL on a strap and just loves it. He wears it as a dress watch and says it keeps great time. It is a nice watch with a solid ebauche, nothing super fancy but a workhorse for sure.

JJ Irani · 18 October 2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astcell

While drooling over a $16,000 rose gold Breitling again I saw an interesting watch by Baume and Mercier. I don't know a thing about them as far as quality, are they worth owning, and so on. The watch I liked is the Classima as seen here. $1895 - 15%. Is it a pig in a poke? Is it accurate? Is it a good deal? It is at an AD, I worry about online purchases. I just don't want to buy something from Mr. Popeil and find I have been swindled.

Nice looking watch, Robert. Baume & Mercier is a fairly good company in the same league as Ebel, Raymond Weil and such. That watch you like would be worth around $1500 or thereabouts....no more.

JJ

astcell · 18 October 2006, 09:57 PM

Hmm, I do not care for Raymond Weil and I do not know Ebel. I did see a nice "Swatch" for $160 however....

haakon59 · 19 October 2006, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astcell

While drooling over a $16,000 rose gold Breitling again I saw an interesting watch by Baume and Mercier. I don't know a thing about them as far as quality, are they worth owning, and so on. The watch I liked is the Classima as seen here. $1895 - 15%. Is it a pig in a poke? Is it accurate? Is it a good deal? It is at an AD, I worry about online purchases. I just don't want to buy something from Mr. Popeil and find I have been swindled.

Baume and Mercier is a good brand which uses ETA movements, like many others, so I don't think accuracy per se will be an issue for you. I would say they are not as well known and appreciated here in the US as they would be in Europe, so I am not surprised you haven't heard of them. Others above mentioned they would roughly be in the same class as Ebel and Raymond Weil and I would agree. If you like that particular watch, I would tell you not to hesitate because of any uncertainty about the brand or quality, they do good work. Enjoy if you decide to go that way.

19 October 2006, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haakon59

Baume and Mercier is a good brand which uses ETA movements, like many others, so I don't think accuracy per se will be an issue for you. I would say they are not as well known and appreciated here in the US as they would be in Europe, so I am not surprised you haven't heard of them. Others above mentioned they would roughly be in the same class as Ebel and Raymond Weil and I would agree. If you like that particular watch, I would tell you not to hesitate because of any uncertainty about the brand or quality, they do good work. Enjoy if you decide to go that way.

Good post!

Goodwatch · 19 October 2006, 05:52 AM

History

In 1834, members of the Baume family founded the Societe Baume Feres in Le Bois. The Baumes had already been active in watchmaking for many years. At first, the priority went to enameled pocket watches. In 1844 Joseph Celestin Baume went to England to set up business relations there. Watches sighned "Waterloo", "Diviko" and "Sirdar" opened distant markets in Australia and New Zealand. The family company gave convincing proof of its dedication to mechanical elegance and precision when one of its timepieces won the 1893 timing competitions at the Kew-Teddington Observatory with a score of 91.9 out of a possible 100. In 1912, William Baume met the watchmaker and jeweler, Paul Mercier, at the Geneva watch and jewelery shop in Haas. The meeting resulted in the signing of an agreement on the 26th of November, 1918, for the establishment of Baume and Mercier in Geneva. This proved to be a very successful enterprise, and in 1921 they were awarded the coveted Poincon de Geneve, official recognition of flawless quality products. Watches dating from this period are now rare collectors pieces, worth thousands of dollars. In 1937 William Baume withdrew from active business. He was followed into retirement by Paul Mercier, and the jeweler Constantin de Gorski joined the company.

Post World War II

After World War 2 Baume and Mercier concentrated on conventional men's watches, sports chronographs and ladies' jewelery watches. In 1965 the Piaget family outbid international competition for control over Baume and Mercier. One of the world's thinnest calendar watches with a mini rotor was produced under Piaget's aegis. In the same year the new owners swiched to electronic tuning fork movements, and from 1970 increased investments in quartz movements. At the end of the 1983, Baume and Mercier temperarily ceased production of mechanical watches. In 1988, Christian and Yves Piaget sold 60% of their stake to Piaget holding S.A, also selling Baume and Mercier S.A TO Cartier Monde S.A in Paris. In 1993 the Cartier group became sole owners of both Piaget and Baume and Mercier.

Recent Times

In September 2004 Baume and Mercier opened a new production building in Les Brenets, Switzerland. For the past few years Baume and Mercier has made a name for itself as a trendsetter, and by no means was this done solely on the strength of charasteristically fashionable watches. Models such as the "Riviera" and the "Hampton," named after the stylish resorts and high-society meeting places of the U.S East Coast, defined a new watch style in the 1980's and 1990's, for both genders.

Source: WikiPedia

Arthur Daley · 28 October 2006, 11:21 AM

... left to me by my father. It was recently overhauled by B&M USA and looks brand new. It works well and features a mechanical movement.

I bought my brother a B&M dress watch when he graduated from university. Believe it was water-resistant to 30m. He accidentially went diving with it (to somewhere between 20-30M), and it didn't take in even a drop of water, nor did it stop working.

They're a well-built decent mid-range Swiss watch brand. I would definitely consider a B&M with a $1,500 price point if I was in the market for such a watch.

18 October 2006, 10:38 AM	#1
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	Baume & Mercier -who are they? While drooling over a $16,000 rose gold Breitling again I saw an interesting watch by Baume and Mercier. I don't know a thing about them as far as quality, are they worth owning, and so on. The watch I liked is the Classima as seen here. $1895 - 15%. Is it a pig in a poke? Is it accurate? Is it a good deal? It is at an AD, I worry about online purchases. I just don't want to buy something from Mr. Popeil and find I have been swindled.

18 October 2006, 12:47 PM	#3
Rockrolex TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: God Location: Washington, D.C. Watch: What do you think? Posts: 37,966	B&M is a decent manufacture. I don't think they make their own movements. Typically their models are dressier and more on the jewelry side. Probably on a par with Eibel and others of that ilk. __________________ Despite the high cost of living, it's still very popular. *Tosser Cabinet Member* Official Member: 'Perpetual 30' Vegas International GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2018 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019

18 October 2006, 01:32 PM	#5
dman Lifetime TRF Patron Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Daren Location: Austin Watch: the road Posts: 13,585	One of the Mods over on another board has a BM Classima XL on a strap and just loves it. He wears it as a dress watch and says it keeps great time. It is a nice watch with a solid ebauche, nothing super fancy but a workhorse for sure. __________________ You either get it or you don't, if you have to ask, YOU DON'T!! I really hope that midget cop doesn't find me in Kokomo.

19 October 2006, 05:52 AM	#10
Goodwatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Real Name: Frans ® Location: Rotterdam Watch: the sunrise... Posts: 10,230	History In 1834, members of the Baume family founded the Societe Baume Feres in Le Bois. The Baumes had already been active in watchmaking for many years. At first, the priority went to enameled pocket watches. In 1844 Joseph Celestin Baume went to England to set up business relations there. Watches sighned "Waterloo", "Diviko" and "Sirdar" opened distant markets in Australia and New Zealand. The family company gave convincing proof of its dedication to mechanical elegance and precision when one of its timepieces won the 1893 timing competitions at the Kew-Teddington Observatory with a score of 91.9 out of a possible 100. In 1912, William Baume met the watchmaker and jeweler, Paul Mercier, at the Geneva watch and jewelery shop in Haas. The meeting resulted in the signing of an agreement on the 26th of November, 1918, for the establishment of Baume and Mercier in Geneva. This proved to be a very successful enterprise, and in 1921 they were awarded the coveted Poincon de Geneve, official recognition of flawless quality products. Watches dating from this period are now rare collectors pieces, worth thousands of dollars. In 1937 William Baume withdrew from active business. He was followed into retirement by Paul Mercier, and the jeweler Constantin de Gorski joined the company. Post World War II After World War 2 Baume and Mercier concentrated on conventional men's watches, sports chronographs and ladies' jewelery watches. In 1965 the Piaget family outbid international competition for control over Baume and Mercier. One of the world's thinnest calendar watches with a mini rotor was produced under Piaget's aegis. In the same year the new owners swiched to electronic tuning fork movements, and from 1970 increased investments in quartz movements. At the end of the 1983, Baume and Mercier temperarily ceased production of mechanical watches. In 1988, Christian and Yves Piaget sold 60% of their stake to Piaget holding S.A, also selling Baume and Mercier S.A TO Cartier Monde S.A in Paris. In 1993 the Cartier group became sole owners of both Piaget and Baume and Mercier. Recent Times In September 2004 Baume and Mercier opened a new production building in Les Brenets, Switzerland. For the past few years Baume and Mercier has made a name for itself as a trendsetter, and by no means was this done solely on the strength of charasteristically fashionable watches. Models such as the "Riviera" and the "Hampton," named after the stylish resorts and high-society meeting places of the U.S East Coast, defined a new watch style in the 1980's and 1990's, for both genders. Source: WikiPedia __________________ Member# 127

28 October 2006, 11:21 AM	#11
Arthur Daley "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: USA Posts: 300	My favorite watch is a 30 year-old B&M... ... left to me by my father. It was recently overhauled by B&M USA and looks brand new. It works well and features a mechanical movement. I bought my brother a B&M dress watch when he graduated from university. Believe it was water-resistant to 30m. He accidentially went diving with it (to somewhere between 20-30M), and it didn't take in even a drop of water, nor did it stop working. They're a well-built decent mid-range Swiss watch brand. I would definitely consider a B&M with a $1,500 price point if I was in the market for such a watch.

18 October 2006, 10:41 AM	#2
Rto "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Real Name: Renato T. Location: Sunny Florida Watch: FPJ-AP-PP-Rolex Posts: 538	As per I know Braumer Mercier is a very nice manufacturer...I do not know about this exactly model, but I think that price can not be something for real...Maybe the experts here can better answer you. just my 2 cents

18 October 2006, 01:12 PM	#4
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	The price on base for the same watch is $1179. Pretty good discount, but on a 1-10 where would the the manufacturer sit?

18 October 2006, 09:57 PM	#7
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	Hmm, I do not care for Raymond Weil and I do not know Ebel. I did see a nice "Swatch" for $160 however....

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