Baume & Mercier – HAMPTON 2023

 

Baume & Mercier – HAMPTON Automatic and Quartz watch 2023

 

THE HAMPTON COLLECTION, 
OR THE ARTISTIC HERITAGE OF BAUME & MERCIER

By symbolically breaking with the aesthetic codes of the times and revolutionizing the steel shape watch upon its launch in 1994, the Baume & Mercier Hampton Collection and its famous rectangular case superbly illustrate the transmission of designer spirit which has characterized the Brand since it was founded. 

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The visionary intuition and artistic watchmaking approach of Paul Mercier – who partnered with the watchmaker William Baume in 1918 – lasted long after Mercier’s departure from the Brand in 1937. His successors carried on the work that he had begun, pursuing the legacy through different collections and variations thereon: ensuring that form and function correspond, upholding Swiss watchmaking savoir-faire, and asserting a strong, free, bold visual distinctiveness.

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The three new Hampton models that Baume & Mercier presents today also carry that identity forward. Three versions express it through their luminous, subtly crafted blue dials: a self-winding version, a ladies’ gem-set jewelry version, and a very architectural steel version with an integrated three-row strap.

The majestically graphic rectangle

The Hampton Collection is one of the most illustrious timepieces in watchmaking. Its delicate case takes the form of a very studied rectangle with a streamlined profile, rounded corners, and curved lugs. The proportions are slender and harmonious. The eye is captured by the flowing movement and formal balance of its contours, the careful attention brought to its details, and the proud, architecture-inspired vertical orientation. The design is based on perfect proportions with respect to the golden reference, symbolized by the Greek letter Phi which Baume & Mercier chose as its emblem in 1964. Since then, the Brand has passed down its savoir-faire built around this structural aesthetic principle.

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Inspired by an iconic 1960s model, the Hampton’s 1920s Art Deco style lends itself to all sorts of variations which are particularly flattered by its rectangular shape: a case in steel or gold; a dial available in a very broad color scheme, both simple and diamond-set; a strap in leather or steel, available in classic and bright colors, integrated, interchangeable, with a simple or wraparound design. For men and women alike, it is the epitome of watch elegance, and it adapts to the trends.

The gradual intensity of blue dials

Two of the new models feature an intense blue dial with refined finishes, each in its own tone.

A sun-satin opaline blue dial adorns the self-winding model M0A10732. Great attention is brought to the distribution of light, which illuminates the dial and brightens the center, scattering into exquisitely fine rays within the rectangle bordered by the hour and minute display. This optical effect and the recurrence of the geometric shape within the dial bring life and movement to the timepiece.

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The deeper blue of model M0A10709 evokes the immensity of the night sky. Shades of midnight blue ranging from light to dark subtly brighten the dial. The sun-satin effect plays on the reflections of the light, which varies with the viewing angle and the wrist position.

HAMPTON M0A10732

The sun-satin opaline blue dial is adorned with rhodium-plated, riveted Arabic numerals and hour indexes, as well as a black minute track. 

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The “glaive” hands are also rhodium-plated. The correspondingly rectangular case, with its elegant proportions – 43 x 27.5 mm and 9.95 mm thick – is crafted in polished stainless steel. It is protected by a scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal. The sapphire crystal case back is fastened by four screws. It may be personalized with an engraving.

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This model is mounted on a blue alligator strap with square scales and tone-on-tone over stitching. It is interchangeable without the need for tools thanks to a very reliable spring bar system. It features a triple folding buckle with security push-pieces.

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This watch displays the hours, minutes and seconds. It is powered by a self-winding movement with exquisite finishes: a circular-grained bridge, a sand-blasted and snailed baseplate, and an oscillating weight adorned with “Côtes de Genève” and snailed decorations. It offers a 38-hour power reserve and water-resistance to 5 ATM (approx. 50m).

HAMPTON M0A10709

With its gem-set midnight blue dial, this precious ladies’ model has the elegance of a gala celebration. It may also be worn by day, thanks to the restraint of the pure lines that are characteristic of the collection and indeed all Baume & Mercier timepieces, none of which are ostentatious. Balance and harmony are also expressed through this decorative minimalism.

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The sophisticated dial is adorned with riveted, rhodium-plated indexes set with four brilliant-cut diamonds (Top Wesselton diamonds, VS quality, 0.01 ct) at 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock, as well as rhodium-plated “glaive” hands. The minute track is blue.

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The emblematic rectangular case in polished stainless steel is set with 28 brilliant-cut diamonds (Top Wesselton, VS quality, 0.35 ct), gracefully aligned on either side of the dial to better flatter it. A scratch-proof domed sapphire crystal protects it. The jewelry inspiration and depth of color extend to the steel crown in a cabochon shape, set with a synthetic blue spinel. The case back is solid and may be engraved.

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The size of the case is perfectly suited to a woman’s wrist with ideal proportions: 35 x 22.2 mm and a thickness of 6.92 mm. This new Hampton offers casual refinement.

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Just as elegant, the shiny midnight blue alligator strap features square scales, tone-on-tone overstitching, and a pin buckle. It is interchangeable and may be removed without the need for tools thanks to a reliable spring bar system.

The timepiece indicates the hours and minutes, and is powered by a quartz movement with an eight-year autonomy. It is water-resistant to 5 ATM (approx. 50m).

HAMPTON M0A10740

The rectangular shape of this timepiece reveals a harmonious rhythm that is both uniform and filled with contrasts, featuring subtle alternations of steel, gray and white; polished and satin-finished surfaces; and vertical and horizontal lines along the strap.

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At the center of the dial, the rectangular shape appears again, stretching from one end to the other of the rhodium-plated “glaive” hands. It extends all along the gray minute track to the perimeter of the dial, reaching the inner tips of the riveted, rhodium-plated Arabic numerals and indexes. The opaline white that delicately adorns the dial highlights each detail of this sought-after graphic composition.

The case enhances this sculptural effect with its pure lines. In polished stainless steel with dimensions of 43 x 27.5 mm and a thickness of 8.65 mm, it is protected by a scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal. The solid case back is fastened with four screws and may be engraved.

The new integrated strap, made up of three rows of links in satin-polished stainless steel, is an extension of the architectural dynamic based on the principle of perfect balance, for a simple, stylish, flowing effect.  It is designed with a new trim for more comfort. The triple folding buckle is equipped with security push-pieces.

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This model displays the hours and minutes and is powered by a quartz movement with an eight-year autonomy. It is water-resistant to 5 ATM (approx. 50m).

The rectangular case of the Hampton Collection continues to push back the limits of creativity. The graphic, chromatic and precious effects brought to the new models magnificently bring perspective to its structural and aesthetic foundations, derived from the world of design.

Informations :

Model: HAMPTON 10732

 
Movement
Swiss Made BM 72671
Automatic, self-winding 
Frequency:    4Hz (28,800 vph)
Number of Rubies:  25
Power reserve: up to 38 hours
Case
Stainless steel case
Shape:  Rectangular
Size
Width: 27.5 mm x Length: 43.0 mm
Thickness:  9.95 mm
Material And Finishes:  Polished stainless steel
Screw-in sapphire crystal case back
Water resistance: Up to a pressure of 5 bar (50 m)
Glass:  Sapphire crystal, anti-reflective on one side
Dial
Midnight blue
Hands: rhodium-plated “glaive” swords hands
Strap
Material:  Shiny blue alligator strap
Buckle:  Pin buckle, Sand-blasted finishes 

 

 🔴 Price:   US $ 2,700 

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Model: HAMPTON 10709 💎Diamond-Set
Model: HAMPTON 10740

 

Movement
Swiss Made BM 7057
Quartz
Number of Rubies:  4
Case
Stainless steel case
Shape:  Rectangular
Fixed bezel in stainless steel is set with 💎28 brilliant-cut diamonds 

(Top Wesselton, VS quality, 0.35 ct)
Width: 22.2 mm x Length: 34.9 mm
Thickness:  6.65 mm
Material And Finishes:  Polished stainless steel
Screw-in sapphire crystal case back
Water resistance: Up to a pressure of 5 bar (50 m)
Glass:  Sapphire crystal, anti-reflective on one side
Dial
Midnight blue, Opaline white
Hands: rhodium-plated “glaive” swords hands
Strap
Material: Steel, Polished satin-finished / Shiny blue alligator strap
Buckle:  Pin buckle, Sand-blasted finishes

 Availability: June 2023

🔴  Price:   US $ 2,000 / $ 3,250  💰 
 

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ROMAIN GAUTHIER – Freedom C by Romain Gauthier Titanium

 

ROMAIN GAUTHIER – Freedom C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet with a Lever de Soleil Color Dial  - 2023

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C by Romain Gauthier
Titanium Edition Bracelet

Lightness and comfort, the first bracelet signed Romain Gauthier

When Romain launched the first edition of C by Romain Gauthier in 2021, it was clearly stated that this new caliber would lead the brand to new horizons. One year later, a new door has been opened with the arrival of the brand's first metal bracelet.

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Sober and contemporary, propitious to variations and adaptations, C by Romain Gauthier was an obvious choice for the creation of a metal bracelet. The desire of modernity, comfort and ergonomic already initiated during the conception of the first edition, reinforced the development of this integral timepiece on a titanium bracelet - light, resistant, modern and sophisticated. 

 

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Aesthetically, it was important to Romain that the bracelet and the watch become one. As he said: "The bracelet is the case, and the case is the bracelet". This desire is reflected in the fusion of these two elements, a timepiece as a whole that cannot be dissociated.

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In keeping with Romain's vision - The Evolution of Tradition - this new technical and contemporary element requires a high level of craftsmanship and hand finishing. Each link is composed of hand-polished and satin-finished surfaces that play with the light and reflect the technical nature of the bracelet and the piece in general.

C BY ROMAIN GAUTHIER IN DETAILS

An integrated design resulting in a harmonious timepiece

 

Romain Gauthier's first metal bracelet is made entirely of natural Grade 5 titanium, light and comfortable. 

This bracelet was designed so that the wearer does not feel it; in addition to being light, it is also very thin thanks to the folding clasp integrated into the bracelet.

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The bracelet itself is integrated into the case by slightly curved lugs following the natural shape of the wrist. In this same objective, the links are articulated and assembled precisely to adapt to all types of wrists.

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Aesthetically, Romain wanted to develop a modern bracelet that would highlight traditional craftmanship. As with the rest of the timepiece, each link has contrasting finishes, with the surface being satin-finished while the connecting element is hand-polished, bringing both character and elegance to the bracelet.

Flow and continuity to the fore on an atypical dial

 

C by Romain Gauthier is all about modernity and continuity, both in terms of its movement architecture and dial design. If the observer looks closely, he will see that the hour-minute hands are off-centred on the horizontal axis and the hour indices taper ever so slightly and are of varying lengths, while the 5-second intervals of the small seconds at 7 o’clock are also marked by tapered colored lines of differing lengths.

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Romain explains this purposeful play on perspective, saying: “Rather than a series of enclosed circles, as we often see in watchmaking, I wanted an open, airy dial on which full or part orthogonal lines form vanishing points with the axes of the hands, reinforcing the notion of continuity.”

For enhanced legibility, the tapering, three-dimensional hands are made from 18k white gold and filled with Super-LumiNova. The numerals and indexes are made entirely of Super-LumiNova, improving visibility, and reinforcing the modern feel of this timepiece.

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The dial plate itself is made from natural titanium that has been sand-blasted and treated with a special coating that protects it against UV rays.

Eye-catching case and bracelet rich in details

 

Framing the dial is a titanium bezel with an eye-catching, geometric profile unlike anything previously seen on a Romain Gauthier timepiece. The bezel is first machined into a round shape featuring a circular bevel before six straight sides are cut into it to create 6 facets. While these facets, which have been polished, reflect the light and bring the bezel to life, the rest of the bezel absorbs light thanks to its satin-finishing. The same facetted design is replicated around the sapphire crystal on the back of the watch.

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In between the bezel and caseback, the one-piece caseband and lugs are geometrically sculpted, with satin and polished finishes as well as aesthetic grooves cleverly deployed to draw out the resulting shapes. Meanwhile, the titanium bracelet with the folding clasp follows the form of the curved lugs, which have been adjusted to fit any wrist, and rounded caseband so it appears as a continuous, organic extension of the case.

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The finishing on the case facets is repeated on each of the bracelet links, a play of light accentuated by satin-finished surfaces and contrasted by hand-polished ones.

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C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet is a timepiece that should be appreciated as a whole. Each detail is linked to another, each type of finishing is featured on the case, on the movement and on the bracelet.

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As with the other editions of C by Romain Gauthier, the winding and time setting crown has been placed at 2 o'clock, freeing up space for the wrist movement. The fluted crown also allows an easy handling and provides an additional eye-catching aesthetic element to the case.

Clever stop-seconds mechanism that uses a snail cam

 

Romain has endowed C by Romain Gauthier with a stop-seconds – or hacking seconds – mechanism, allowing the wearer to set the time exactly according to a reference time.

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Like many stop-seconds mechanisms, a brake is placed on C by Romain Gauthier’s balance wheel when the crown is pulled out. But instead of using a straight or L-shaped balance stop lever to halt the balance, Romain has opted to employ a snail cam that performs a double function: It touches and stops the balance wheel when the crown is pulled out and, when the crown is pushed back in, the snail cam makes a turn, with its increasingly wide form giving the balance an impulse to help it start beating again.

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Those familiar with the brand will know Romain has used the snail cam’s unique shape in his past creations: It appears on the watchmaker’s acclaimed Logical One.

In-house movement where design and decoration meet modernity

 

The themes of modernity and continuity carry over to the manual-winding, in-house movement, which is gloriously on show through the display back.

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Taking centre stage are a number of finger bridges – historically typical of the Vallée de Joux, Romain’s birthplace – but reinterpreted here in a contemporary way. For starters, these bridges are horizontally configured and feature a ‘stepped’ shape – previously seen on some of Logical One’s bridges – that not only provides volume and depth, but also gives the sense that the bridges are literally flowing over the gears and balance wheel, with no clear end to them.  

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Like the case components and the dial plate, the bridges are made from lightweight, natural Grade 5 titanium and they boast contrasting tones and textures thanks to a variety of finishes. The outer edges of each bridge all feature a double bevel, while the flat bridge surfaces and rubies are each framed by a raised border that has been straight-grained. 

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Within these borders, the hand-finishing specialists at Manufacture Romain Gauthier have used a special hand-engraving technique to create a highly original dimpled texture. The movement mainplate beneath has been hand-frosted.

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The impressive decoration doesn’t stop with the bridges and mainplate: Romain’s trademark gears and ratchet wheel featuring circular, bevelled spokes have been circular-grained, while the click, snail cam and screws with S-slot heads – another signature of Romain – have been highly polished. Finally, the lid of the mainspring barrel has been embellished with a superb snailing decoration.

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C by Romain Gauthier’s regulator features the Romain Gauthier balance wheel with curved arms and calibrated eccentric weights, plus hand-assembled pallet lever that is triangular for maximum rigidity.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection  Freedom

Name:  C by Romain Gauthier Titanium - Lever de Soleil color Dial

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Ref.  MON00581

Edition 
Non limited edition in natural Grade 5 titanium.

Features and indications
Off-centred hours and minutes
Small seconds at 7 o’clock
Natural Grade 5 titanium case, dial, movement bridges and mainplate
In-house movement featuring stop-seconds mechanism
Dial and hands
Grey sandblasted or Lever de Soleil color dial in natural Grade 5 titanium with protective layer against UV rays
Off-centred hours and minutes
Small seconds at 7 o’clock with 5-second intervals marked by colored tapered lines
Super-LumiNova-filled 18k white gold hands.
Numerals and index entirely in Super-LumiNova

Movement and finishing 
Manufacture calibre C by Romain Gauthier

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In-house, hand-wound movement
Dimensions: 32.10 mm x 5.50 mm
Power reserve: 60 hours
Number of jewels: 24
Number of components: 154
Balance frequency: 28,800 vph / 4Hz
Components made from: Titanium, steel, stainless steel and German silver
Finishing: Superlative decoration by hand
Treatment: Natural titanium bridges and rhodium-treated gears.
Case
Material: Titanium natural Grade 5
Dimensions: 41mm x 9.55mm, lugs to lugs: 47.8 mm
Water resistance: 50m/5atm/160ft
Crown for winding and time-setting at 2 o’clock
Watch supplied with a fluted crown or surrounded by grey rubber crown rings.
Sapphire crystal with interior anti-reflection coating, front and display back.
Strap and buckle
Natural Grade 5 titanium bracelet

The first metal bracelet of the brand, entirely in Grade 5 titanium, with an integrated folding clasp, also in Grade 5 titanium, is supplied with an additional half-link to perfectly fit all wrists. 

Total weight of the watch: 85 g, including titanium bracelet and folding clasp.


Retail price: 💰

MON00580 – Grey dial: CHF 42,000 without taxes
MON00581 – Lever de Soleil color dial: CHF 42,000 without taxes

 
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Press release - 2023
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