Baume & Mercier - Full Calendar 1945

The watch brand Baume & Mercier has a long and traditional history characterized by elegance, quality and accessibility. Here are the special aspects of the company history:

#1 Founded in 1830 The origins of the brand go back to the year 1830, when the brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume founded a watch workshop in Les Bois (Switzerland). Their motto was: "Accept only perfection, only high-quality watches.". The company "Frères Baume" quickly made a name for itself in Europe and the British Empire through precise and elegant timepieces.

#2 Merger with Paul Mercier (1918)The big turning point came in 1918, when William Baume, a descendant of the founders, teamed up with the businessman Paul Mercier. This resulted in Baume & Mercier in Geneva – with the goal of creating technically precise and at the same time stylish watches.

#3 Focus on elegance and modern lifestyleIn the 1920s and 30s, Baume & Mercier became a fixture for ladies' and men's models in Art Deco style. The brand was an early producer of elegant wristwatches and focused on the design and lifestyle of the time.

#4 Pioneer in the ladies' watch segment Baume & Mercier was one of the first brands to specifically focus on mechanical ladies' watches – at a time when many other manufacturers considered ladies' models only as "fashion accessories".

#5 Geneva Seal (Poinçon de Genève)Baume & Mercier received the prestigious Geneva Seal in the 1920s – one of the highest awards for watchmaking art in Switzerland. It stands for quality, craftsmanship and precise finishing.#6 Access to high-end watchmaking - but affordableBaume & Mercier traditionally positions itself in the "Affordable Luxury" segment: high-quality mechanical Swiss watches with appealing design – but at prices below Haute Horlogerie.#7 Iconic models Clifton: Classic elegant men's watches with manufacture movements.Riviera: Sporty-chic watch with distinctive dodecagonal case – first introduced in 1973, now very popular as a reissue.Hampton: Rectangular models in Art Deco style – inspired by the elegance of the 1920s

#8 Member of the Richemont GroupSince the 1980s, Baume & Mercier has belonged to the Richemont Group, which also includes brands such as Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin.Baume & Mercier stands for Swiss watchmaking tradition, stylish design and reliable technology – and that at comparatively moderate prices. The brand embodies classic values but targets modern people who value quality and understatement.