Baume and Mercier Watches Review: Are They Good Quality?

The brand features the greek letter Phi as their logo, which stands for equilibrium, which is fitting, considering how well balanced their watches are.

Baume & Mercier trace their origins all the way back to 1830 in Le Bois, Switzerland, a town that had a relatively small population and size, but also a town that employed a lot of watchmakers.

However, unlike most shops in the area, the company’s founders, Louis-Victor and Celestine Baume’s manufactured the movements and components of their watches, which helped the company gain popularity fast, as in 1851 the company started to cross borders with a branch in London, under the name Baume Brothers.

After that, the rest was history.

The company changed hands in 1964, being acquired by Piaget, which is when the name was changed to the one we all know and love, and in the 1990s was slowly acquired by the Richemont Group.

Though the brand has changed hands multiple times, the quality of their watches hasn’t changed, which is why it still one of the most beloved luxury watch brands in the world.

Top 5 Best Baume & Mercier Watches Chosen by Customers

Product names	Movement	Water resistance	Editor's rating
Baume & Mercier Men's BMMOA10061 Capeland Watch	Swiss Automatic	165 feet	[usr 4.8]
Baume & Mercier Men's 10002 Capeland Chronograph Watch	Swiss Automatic	165 feet	[usr 4.6]
Baume & Mercier Men's 8688 Classima Executives Silver Dial Watch	Swiss Automatic	99 feet	[usr 4.5]
Baume & Mercier Men's BMMOA10111 Clifton Brown Watch	Swiss Automatic	165 feet	[usr 4.4]
Baume & Mercier Men's BMMOA10084 Capeland Black Watch	Swiss Automatic	165 feet	[usr 4.2]

Classic Baume & Mercier Watch Series

Over the years, there have been many series released by Baume & Mercier that have remained at the top tier of watches and we take a look at a couple of these series in this section.

The Hampton Series

This is probably the most popular collection from the brand.

It began in the 1920s when the Baume & Mercier released a series of square and rectangular watches.

At the time, these were considered very modern and distinct, as a lot of the watches at the time featured round dials, as they were mostly converted pocket watches.

These square and rectangular dials were a huge hit at the time and helped solidify the brand’s place in the upper echelon of the watch world.

Nowadays, the Hampton series is one of the premier lines of Baume & Mercier.

The name of the line comes from the Hamptons in New York, which evokes a sense of luxury which is just one of the reasons that this is one of the most popular and most loved series in the extensive Baume & Mercier catalog.

The Capeland Series

Baume & Mercier is a brand known for its love and respect for vintage designs, which is why one of their most popular series, which is a love letter to the old racing chronographs from the 1950s.

While the watches in this series take inspiration from a variety of watches, the main inspiration for this series is a chronograph from 1948 coming from none other than Baume & Mercier.

The way everything is laid out in a Capeland watch is a great mix of sporty, classy, and vintage designs.

The components of the watch feature designs and looks that are reminiscent of a sports car from the 1950s while the overall case and dial designs are ones that are undoubtedly classy.

Aside from the top-notch designs, the watches in this line are also highly functional, with chronographs that can be used to keep time, while other models also feature a telemeter and tachymeter.

This great mix of class, function, and design, is just one of the reasons Baume & Mercier watches are loved around the world.

Baume & Mercier Watches Review – Top 5 Highest-Rated Models

B&M BMMOA10061 Capeland Watch

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This timepiece will appeal to people who love the classic and sporty look.

I love the large analog display and the easy-to-see markers and hands.

The stainless steel case, bezel, case back, and the band feel tough to put-up with regular use.

Reading time in bright light shouldn’t be hard thanks to the anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

It is also clear to give a quick easy view of time, date and other functions.

Moreover, it doesn’t crack, shatter, or chip easily.

It is powered by a Swiss automatic movement, which gets the nod for good precision.

And similar to most watches in its range, it has a long power reserve.

It’s lightweight and does not feel too heavy or bulky.

Pros:

Simple and elegant
Easy-to-read clear display
Classy and sporty look

Con:

The water resistance isn’t that big

B&M 10002 Capeland Watch

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You will agree that this watch does look sophisticated and fashionable.

It features a stainless steel case and bezel, which contrasts the brown leather straps.

The chronograph piece is fully functional and should offer you what you need in a watch.

It is lighter than most pieces in its category and it won’t bog you down especially when worn for long periods.

Besides, the finish on the case back and the leather band is very smooth.

We went for it because of the accurate timekeeping.

The Swiss analog movement is very precise and the hands and markers are visible.

The sapphire crystal is clear and isn’t affected by glare or too much bight.

Pros:

Elegant and classy
Tough stainless steel construction
Flexible and durable leather strap

Con:

Not designed for women

B&M 8688 Classima Executives Silver Dial Watch

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Simplicity and reliability are what best describe this watch.

The large dial and bold roman numerals make reading time easier.

Also likable is the good lume on the hands and markers.

It is made of stainless steel, which is less likely to fade, tarnish, rust or corrode.

Despite the solid nature, the watch doesn’t feel too heavy or bulky.

Like most consumers, I like the nice feel to the skin courtesy of the smooth finish and flexible straps.

To protect the accurate Swiss automatic movement, it features an anti-reflective sapphire crystal and stainless steel case back.

Pros:

Clear analog display
Resistant to scratches, fading, and corrosion
Smooth movement and high performance

Con:

The numbers are somewhat small

B&M BMMOA10111 Clifton Brown Watch

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Based on the famed Swiss analog automatic movement, this timepiece ranks among the most precise units in regard to timekeeping.

The hands move effortlessly and swiftly and never skip a beat.

The anti-reflective sapphire glass is ultra-clear even in bright surroundings or in the hot sun.

The mechanism is safeguarded by a stainless steel case and case back and sapphire crystal.

The good airtight sealing ensures water, moisture, dust, dirt, and other things don’t find their way inside the mechanism.

You can swim or snorkel with the timepiece as long as your dent exceed a depth of 165 feet.

It comes in trendy and chic looking rose gold-toned hands, which merge well with the grey dial.

The index hour markers and alternating Arabic numerals are easy to see and have good luminosity.

Pros:

Strong and durable construction
A smooth and sleek finish
Great value for money

Con:

The water resistance is not that great

B&M BMMOA10084 Capeland Swiss Automatic Black Watch

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With this watch, you should always be on time.

It’s known for its good accuracy thanks to the builtin Swiss automatic movement.

And according to most experts and consumers, it is always within specs.

The stainless steel piece is moderately large and should be okay with most men.

The black dial creates a nice contrast with the silver-tone Arabic numeral hour marker and hands.

This makes viewing time much easier. In the dark or at night, you can count on the nice lume.

It features a stainless steel case, bezel, and anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

The parts are tolerant of scratches, dents, chipping, and fading.

For harnessing the accessory on the hand, you get a black alligator textured leather strap.

They have a super smooth interior lining and are very flexible.

Pros:

Great looks and reliable
High quality and durable
Smooth flexible leather strap

Con:

May feel a little large for small wrists

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FAQ’s

A lot of questions are asked regarding Baume & Mercier watches, and in this section, we answer some of the most common ones.

Are Baume & Mercier Good Watches?

Baume & Mercier is one of the top brands in the game, there’s no doubt about it.

They aren’t too expensive that they become too accessible, but they also definitely come with an air of exclusivity.

When it comes to performance, these watches surely deliver.

They have quality movements and incredibly classy designs that would look great on anybody’s wrist.

Are Baume & Mercier Watches Classified As Luxury?

The answer to this varies a little, but these watches are generally classified as luxury.

Other watch experts wouldn’t be so quick to say these watches are full luxury as they aren’t exactly on the same level of other top brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe, but they are still put on a very high tier.

The most accurate classification for this brand would be affordable luxury, where the watches cost a fair amount but are definitely worth every penny.

Where Are Baume & Mercier Watches Made?

The brand prides itself on being a Swiss brand, which means that all the components of their watches are made in Switzerland.

Baume & Mercier’s watchmaking craft is based on one principle, which they call “etablissage”, which basically means that all components of manufacturing have to be controlled in-house.

That is why all their components are always up to standards since the company has full control over the manufacturing.

Who Owns Baume & Mercier Now?

As mentioned earlier, the company has changed hands multiple times but is currently owned by the Richemont group.

They joined the group slowly, beginning in 1988 and slowly transitioning over the 1990s.

The group is a luxury goods holding company based in Switzerland and also manages a couple of other popular brands such as IWC Schaffhaussen and Roger Dubuis.

How Do You Pronounce Baume & Mercier?

A lot of people have a bit of trouble pronouncing this brand name, which is understandable.

The phonetic spelling of the name is [bɔm ˈe mer-sjej], but reading that may actually be more challenging than reading the actual name.

The easier way to figure out the pronunciation would be like this.

The first word is pronounced very simply, it sounds like “bomb” while the second word can be seen as a combination of the word “mercy” and “yay”.

If you want to use the full french name, you’d use “et” instead of “and”, but using either would be completely fine.

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Who Makes Baume & Mercier Movements?

As said earlier, the watchmaking craft of the brand is all based on the concept of “etablissage”, which means that everything is in house.

Because of that, even the movements used in the watches of this brand are made in house, in Switzerland.

Are Baume & Mercier Watches Waterproof?

Almost any watch that you buy from this brand will have some level of water resistance.

Except for a few models, especially the vintage ones, all Baume & Mercier models come with 30 meters of water resistance.

This means the watch can handle daily life pretty well as it won’t get damaged by rain, showers, and washing your hands, but extra care needs to be taken when if you plan on wearing the watch while swimming.

As these are dress watches and luxury watches, they aren’t exactly designed to be taken with you while swimming anyway, so it’s best to avoid that.

To make sure your watch’s water resistance is still functioning, it’s recommended to get the water-resistance checked yearly, as time can slowly affect how well the water-resistant treatment of the watch works.

To take extra care of your watch, also make sure that the crown is always pressed down whenever the watch gets subjected to water.

How Do I know If My Baume & Mercier Is Real?

Checking if a watch is legitimate is a tough task for anyone regardless of the brand, and the best way to check if it’s real is to bring it to a watch shop or a watch collector.

However, if you don’t have the time, there are ways you can check yourself.

For starters, check the movement of the watch, which should have Baume & Mercier printed over it.

That’s probably the easiest way as you’ll need a jeweler’s loupe to inspect all the other components such as the dial, bracelet, case back, minutes and second hands, and color.

That may seem like a hassle, but it’s probably the best way to check the legitimacy of the watch.

However, another way you can make sure that the watch is real before even buying it is to make sure that you’re purchasing your piece from an authorized dealer of Baume & Mercier.

That way you can be sure that whatever model you get is as legitimate as they come.

How Do I Change The Date On My Baume & Mercier?

If you got a model with a date window, you might be wondering how to set it.

Usually, you can have the watch set up for you in the shop, but if you got it online, or if you bought the piece second-hand, chances are you’ll have to set it yourself.

To do it yourself, you first have to understand the position of the crown.

Pulling out the crown will allow you to place it in two positions.

When pulling out the crown, the first click or step you feel will be position one, and if you pull it out some more until the second click, you’ll find yourself in position two.

To set the date, all you have to do is put the crown at position one and rotate it clockwise until you find the date you’re setting the window on.

Once done, simply push the crown back in and wait for the date to set.

It’s important to remember that the date will set in between midnight and 5 a.m. on the watch, so if you want to set the date instantly, simply set the crown to position two and rotate it until the time on your watch reads midnight.

But it might be simpler and easier just to wait for it.

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Conclusion

I hope that this short Baume & Mercier informational article has provided you with all the information you need.

Don’t forget to tell me which one you picked up!

You may also be interested in a vastly different watch brand, Invicta.

Further reading:

https://www.hautehorlogerie.org/en/watches-and-culture/partner-brands/history/h/baume-mercier/

https://www.baume-et-mercier.com/us/en/the-maison/history.html