The History of Baume & Mercier

Baume & Mercier Founded in 1830

Baume & Mercier was founded in 1542 by the Baume family as a cottage business making pocket watches.
In 1830, brothers Louis Victor and Célestin Baume founded the
The watchmaking company has a history of over 180 years since it first began in a place called Le Bois.

Many watch brands have a long history.
There aren't many companies with a history of watchmaking.
Following Blancpain, Vacheron, Breguet, Chaumet and Girard-Perregaux
What many people don't know is that it's the sixth oldest company.

In 1855, Louis Victor introduced the first Lépine caliber in the Jura (a caliber developed by Jean Antoine Lepine in 1760).

The Baum brothers' company became highly regarded as a workshop producing exquisite watches incorporating cutting-edge technology, and it grew rapidly.
"We only accept perfection and make only the highest quality watches."
We have grown with this belief in mind.

Louis Victor also intuitively felt that women were also interested in watches,
In 1869, he gave his daughter, Melina, a gold pocket watch as a gift.

Baume & Mercier expands overseas

The Bohm brothers saw great potential in the new location of London.
In 1844, a branch called "Baume Brothers" was established.
The company soon expanded throughout the British Empire, to India, Africa, Australia,
It will expand into New Zealand, Singapore and even Burma.

By the second half of the 19th century the company had gained a solid international reputation and was a renowned watchmaking house abroad.
At that time, there were chronographs, minute repeaters, calendars,
Grand complications watches, including tourbillons, were well known.

The timekeeping mechanism also allows Baum to
Paris, Melbourne, Zurich, London, Amsterdam,
Ten Grand Prix at the Chicago International Exposition and Show,
He won seven gold medals.

Baum watches are beautiful, highly complicated, and
It had very good accuracy.
By keeping accurate records, he won various timing contests,
In particular, it has set several records in chronometer competitions held at the Kew Teddington Observatory near London.

In 1892, a chronometer pocket watch equipped with a tourbillon movement won the competition, a record that stood for more than ten years.

Baum and Mercier

In 1918, William Baum (grandson of founder Louis Victor) became a director and worked with jeweler Paul Mercier to develop the business.
Baume & Mercier is founded in Geneva.

The company has introduced a unique model with a well-balanced shape.
It has become one of the most active brands in the field of watches.

In 1919, the watch was awarded the Poinçon de Genève, a worldwide honor in the watch industry at the time.
It was recognized for its outstanding craftsmanship and quality.
Both Baum and Mercier retired from the public eye in 1937.
By that time the company had a well-established distribution network across five continents.

Baume & Mercier's understanding of women

Paul Mercier is a brand that moves with the times.
I was convinced that embracing change was essential.
During the "Roaring Twenties," she grasped the importance of the women's liberation movement.
I began to see women's aspirations as an enduring source of inspiration.

In the 1940s, Baume & Mercier created a new line of products based on a deep understanding of femininity.
The Marquise model was released and became one of the most successful models.
This bangle-style jewelry watch was both beautiful and practical.

Baume & Mercier was on a creative roll.
We set out to create a highly creative and modern women's watch.

They proved that women's watches were more than just smaller, simplified versions of men's watches.
"Femininity" has become an essential value for Baume & Mercier,
The pursuit of modernity is evident.

Baume & Mercier: Originality and the Chronograph

The company was invigorated by the arrival of Paul Mercier.
This laid the foundation for a company philosophy that remains relevant today.
From this time onwards, the company's expertise was embodied in the philosophy of "timeless elegance".

A true pioneer in the market, Baume & Mercier made a name for itself by presenting the first "exclusive form" wristwatch.
In the 1940s, the company launched a series of modern wristwatch collections.
One of the most notable features is the two-register chronograph.
Early models with double case backs are rare and highly sought after.
It was more than twice the price of subsequent models.

During the Art Deco period, the brand asserted its own style,
It left a lasting impression in the field of watch design.
The Hampton collection was inspired by the rectangular watches introduced in the 1940s.
Chic and urban, these timeless designs combine unparalleled elegance with the perfection to accompany life's special moments.

After the Second World War, classic men's watches,
We focus on producing sports chronographs and jewel watches for women.

Acquisition by Piaget and modernization

Baume & Mercier was acquired by the jewellery and watch manufacturer Piaget in 1964.
Piaget contributed to Baume & Mercier's brand by adopting the Greek letter "Phi" and its associated golden ratio.

Piaget also offers its technical expertise in ultra-thin movements.
Piaget movements are often found in watches from this period.

The company not only produces simple round watches,
They also began working on a range of chronographs with functions such as moon phase and triple date displays.

These watches from the Golden Fifties allow the company to return to its roots,
Inspired by these things of the past, Capeland, Classima,
New Clifton series and others are being produced.

Baume & Mercier's Acquisition spree

In the 1970s, Baume & Mercier introduced the Galaxy and Stardust.
Introducing a watch with an innovative design.

These models strongly reflect the brand's unique creativity.
It has received prestigious international awards such as the Golden Rose of Baden-Baden.
In 1973, Baume & Mercier, under the leadership of Piaget,
The Riviera is launched, one of the world's first steel sports watches.
This was a unique watch with a dodecahedral case.

In 1988, Piaget sold 60% of its shares to Cartier.
Soon after, in 1993, Piaget and Baume & Mercier were fully acquired by Cartier.
In 1998, it was acquired by the Richemont Group.

Baume & Mercier's Five Collections

Baume & Mercier is now at the forefront of high-quality watchmaking technology.
We offer five collections:
"Hampton," a shape intended for both men and women;
"Capeland" equipped with a chronograph and world clock,
"Classima" has a strong tendency towards minimalist design,
"Linea" is suitable for elegant and bold women.
And Clifton meets the expectations of urbanites looking for a classic yet contemporary watch.

Hampton was founded in 1994.
Within ten years it had become a legendary success.
Capeland was founded in 1998.
It has established a solid reputation as the highest quality automatic chronograph.

The company opened a new factory in Brenets, Switzerland in 2004.
New models that maintain good quality and price,
We are working on reforming traditional models such as the Riviera.

<Chronology>

1542 The Baum family begins subcontracting the manufacture of watches in the Swiss Jura.

In 1830, the Baum brothers, Louis-Victor and Pierre-Joseph-Célestin, founded a watchmaking workshop and began producing pocket watches.

1851: Baum Brothers Ltd. is founded in London as the British branch.

1893: At a chronometer competition held at Kew Teddington Observatory, it scores 91.9 points out of 100.

1918 - William Baume, grandson of the founder, and jeweller Paul Mercier establish Baume & Mercier Genève in Geneva.

In 1919, the watch was awarded the "Geneva Hallmark" by the Geneva Committee for Haute Horlogerie.

1937 William Baum and Paul Mercier retire and are replaced by jeweller Konstantin Gorski.

1964 The Greek letter Φ is registered as a Baume & Mercier trademark.

1965 Piaget buys a majority stake in Baume & Mercier.

1968: Started production of the thinnest calendar wristwatch with a micro-rotor automatic movement.

In 1993, together with Piaget, it became a subsidiary of Cartier.

1994: Production of the "Hampton" series begins.

2004: New factory opened in Brenet, Switzerland.