The following article was produced in partnership with Baume & Mercier.
For Baume & Mercier, the introduction of the Riviera in 1973 marked a pivotal moment in the brand’s history, cementing its position as a key player in the burgeoning luxury sports watch category. At a time when the luxury market was dominated by precious metals, Baume & Mercier was one of the first watchmakers to innovate, forever influencing the sector with a bold and daring collection.
With its distinct 12-sided bezel and integrated steel bracelet, the Baume & Mercier Riviera was truly a chromatic creation of contemporary luxury; a departure from tradition, that would redefine casual sophistication and classic design.
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Of course, now, some 50 years later, a sporty number like the Riviera has become an essential part of any serious watch enthusiast’s collection. It offers a refined yet versatile blend of elegance and practicality.
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The Riviera’s legacy endures today with the Swiss luxury watch brand’s innovative spirit, epitomised in the latest Ode to Nature collection, infusing the watch with vibrant, nature-inspired hues and advanced materials.
Each piece in the coveted Riviera collection has been fitted with a sophisticated new fast strap system, allowing the wearer to quickly switch between the classic stainless steel strap and a rubber option without tools. It’s a celebration of the Riviera’s lasting appeal while embracing contemporary design trends.
Riviera M0A10770
Reference M0A10770
RRP $6,000
Like all of Baume & Mercier’s Riviera releases, the Riviera M0A10770 takes its inspiration from the alluring landscape of the French Riviera, featuring a green smoked sapphire dial, inspired by the lush Mediterranean pine groves.
Housed in a 39mm satin-polished stainless steel case, this piece is slightly smaller than its predecessors – like one of our favourites, the Tideograph – but offers a sophisticated yet robust appearance following the trend of smaller sizes in recent years.
It’s powered by Baume & Mercier’s innovative Baumatic manufacture self-winding movement, providing an impressive 5-day power reserve for reliable performance.
Riviera M0A10764
Reference M0A10764
RRP $4,450
A short drive from the picturesque Mediterranean coastline of Cannes in Southeastern France, the rich, volcanic hues of the Massif de l’Esterel offer a breathtaking contrast to the azure sea. This dramatic mountain range is renowned for its striking red volcanic rock formations, shaped by ancient geological activity.
Baume & Mercier has taken inspiration from this natural setting for the Riviera M0A10764’s terracotta sun-satin dial, which echoes the massif’s distinctive volcanic colours and captures its essence of timeless elegance and natural beauty.
Encased in a 36mm unisex stainless steel case, the dial features the brand’s iconic transfer wave decor, accentuated by contrasting riveted and rhodium-plated Roman numerals and indices. This Riviera is sleek, stylish and functional, boasting the self-winding movement that provides a reliable 38-hour power reserve.
Riviera M0A10763
Reference M0A10763
RRP $4,850
Elsewhere in the collection, Baume & Mercier has returned with another green dial. This piece, the Riviera M0A10763, presents a darker, more intense shade of green, evocative of the lush Mediterranean foliage found in the sun-soaked region of Europe.
The sun-satin, lacquered dial, with its tone-on-tone wave decor, mirrors the rich textures of the natural landscape, while the rhodium-plated Roman numerals and indices, along with Superluminova-coated hands, provide a pleasant contrast to the overall aesthetic.
The Riviera M0A10763 is presented in a 42mm satin-polished stainless steel case, boasting a sandblasted ADLC-coated steel bezel, secured with four screws, which adds a classic sporty touch to the design.
Powered by a self-winding movement with a 38-hour power reserve, this release balances sporty style with functionality – the piece’s black rubber strap with its canvas texture and tool-free interchangeable system, adds versatility and practicality to this inherently sporty piece.
Riviera M0A10768
Reference M0A10768
RRP $4,850
The final release from the Swiss luxury watchmakers sees a return to the deep blue azure of the Mediterranean Sea, an enduring inspiration for Baume & Mercier since the launch of the first Riviera collection more than half a century ago.
This latest model, the Riviera M0A10768, captures the essence of the Mediterranean’s depths with a dark blue lacquered and tinted sun-satin dial. Look closer and you’ll see this Riviera captures the tone-on-tone wave decor, reminiscent of the dark allure of the ocean.
Presented in a 42mm polished and satin-polished stainless steel case, the M0A10768 is topped with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that features anti-glare coatings on both sides, whilst a sandblasted ADLC-coated steel bezel, fastened with four screws, enhances the watch’s sporty aesthetic.
The intricate details, including rhodium-plated Roman numerals, riveted indices and Superluminova-coated hands, are designed to reflect and enhance the watch’s captivating blue hue.