Baume and Mercier
Swiss
The name Baume & Mercier has been synonymous with quality watches for nearly two centuries. Studious vintage watch collectors might know the legendary Swiss watchmaker for a range of reasons — it created distinctive models for women as they struggled for equal rights during the heyday of the Art Deco era, its shaped watches during the 1970s would certainly impress today’s enthusiasts of tonneaus and the like, and its Riviera emerged when donning a sports watch made of steel was little more than a fantasy.
Louis-Victor Baume and his brother Célestin laid the foundation for Baume & Mercier in a small watch dealership in Les Bois, Switzerland. The pair expanded to London, England, where they established the Baume Brothers in 1851. For the last half of the 19th century, Baume Brothers wristwatches won timekeeping competitions and set accuracy records around the world.
Their chronographs and grand complication models earned them ten Grand Prix awards and seven gold medals at various international exhibitions. Revered for their superior accuracy, Baume won a competition hosted by the Kew Observatory with a tourbillon mechanism which went unchallenged for a full decade.
Baume & Mercier, Genève was established once Paul Mercier joined William Baume, then director of Baume Brothers, in 1918. Unafraid to challenge the status quo, Baume & Mercier began introducing unconventional shapes while upholding their values — an endeavor that garnered the brand the highest international distinction at the time, the Poinçon de Genève.
During the 1920s, when women wore watches of all kinds, from wristwatches to long-chained pendant watches to lapel watches, Baume & Mercier positioned themselves at the forefront of innovation and cultural relevance. The Marquise, an incredibly successful model, marked the start of a modern ladies’ watch line that demonstrated the luxury brand’s recognition of the growing social movement at the time. Women were fighting for rights and earning power as consumers and so demanded more than the simpler imitations of men’s designs available in the past. Baume delivered.
Piaget purchased Baume & Mercier in 1964, and the Galaxie and Stardust models followed the acquisition, furthering Baume’s reputation during the 1970s for marrying elevated, shapely designs with the newest innovations — winning them the Golden Rose of Baden-Baden. Baume & Mercier are now part of Richemont.
Find vintage Baume & Mercier watches, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Baume & Mercier
Baume Mercier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Wristwatch & Bracelet & Original Box
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique ladies wristwatch was made by the well known Baume et Mercier of Switzerland in approximately 1920 in their period style. The wa...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Baume and Mercier
Materials
Gold
Baume & Mercier Men's Calendar Watch in 18 kt Gold Vintage
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Baume & Mercier 18 kt Gold Vintage Men's Calendar Watch
Beautiful Baume & Mercier 18 kt gold watch with tiger's eye dial and integrated calendar, lea...
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20th Century Swiss Post-Modern Baume and Mercier
Materials
Gold
Baume Mercier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Wristwatch with Original Leather Band
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ladies wristwatch was made by the well known Baume et Mercier of Switzerland in approximately 1970 in their period Mid-Century style. The watch and lugs are composed of eighteen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Baume and Mercier
Materials
Gold
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Baume & Mercier furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Baume & Mercier furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Baume & Mercier furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Baume & Mercier were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Movado, Suisse Langenthal, and Omega. Prices for Baume & Mercier furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $440 and can go as high as $4,895, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,245.
Creators Similar to Baume & Mercier
Questions About Baume and Mercier
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Yes, Baume & Mercier watches are generally thought of as good. All timepieces produced by the Swiss luxury watchmaker are manufactured completely in-house, and some key components are also made in-house. As a part of the production process, Baume & Mercier test every movement and case to ensure reliable performance. Shop an assortment of Baume & Mercier watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Founded in 1830, Baume & Mercier have stood the test of time as a luxury watch maker. Collectors worldwide recognize the brand for its superior commitment to style and excellence, setting the standard for luxury sport watches. Shop a collection of Baume & Mercier luxury watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Baume & Mercier watches are made in Les Brenets, a municipality in the Jura mountain region of Switzerland. The watchmaker owns their own factory and employs traditional crafting techniques to ensure the quality of their timepieces. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Baume & Mercier watches.
- Is Baume & Mercier worth buying?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024Many watch lovers believe that Baume & Mercier is worth buying. The name Baume & Mercier has been synonymous with quality watches for nearly two centuries.
Studious vintage watch collectors might know the legendary Swiss watchmaker for a range of reasons. It created distinctive models for women as they struggled for equal rights during the heyday of the Art Deco era. Its shaped watches during the 1970s would certainly impress today’s enthusiasts of tonneaus, and its Riviera emerged when donning a sports watch made of steel was little more than a fantasy.
However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Baume & Mercier watches is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection.
Find Baume & Mercier watches and other watches on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024Yes, Baume et Mercier is a luxury watch. In fact, the name Baume & Mercier has been synonymous with quality watches for nearly two centuries. Studious vintage watch collectors might know the legendary Swiss watchmaker for a range of reasons. The company created distinctive models for women as they struggled for equal rights during the heyday of the Art Deco era. Its shaped watches produced during the 1970s impress today's enthusiasts of tonneaus, and its Riviera emerged when donning a sports watch made of steel was little more than a fantasy. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Baume & Mercier watches.
- How do you date a Baume watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024To date a Baume watch, turn it over and examine the back of the case. There, you will usually find both a serial number and a model number. You can cross-reference these numbers with information available on trusted online resources to determine your watch's year of production, as well as its materials and model name. If you need any help with the dating process, consult a certified appraiser or experienced dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of Baume & Mercier watches.