The Baume & Mercier Riviera is the strong return to the limelight of the sports watch model, introduced in 1973 and then long out of the market.
Raised as the manufacturer’s flagship, the Riviera sports watch relies on the strong and recognizable design language of the 1970s created by Gerald Genta, with Baume & Mercier on its first wave crest along with Royal Oak, introduced by Audemars Piguet in 1972. Where the RO designed by Genta settled in the category of luxury fake watches, the Riviera already then – and now represents – a more approachable price range.

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The Baume & Mercier Riviera collection has progressed to its fifth generation with its latest release. The design core of all generations has been formed by a 12-angled bell ring with an integrated steel bracelet made of different designs with quartz and mechanical mechanisms, as well as different materials.
The Riviera, now introduced, relies on the Baumatic movement, introduced in 2018, which, due to its size, has provided the best conditions for designing a low-key watch model for the steel sports watch segment that has surfaced in recent years.
Baume & Mercier positions its new Riviera model in terms of cars used in the SUV category, which has been a megatrend in the automotive industry for a long time. The core is not to drive off-road, but to ride comfortably and sportily in different conditions. The Riviera is similarly a carefree choice for the style-conscious watch wearer.
As I mentioned earlier, the Riviera is powered by an anti-magnetic Baumatic engine developed within the Richemont Group, which provides 120 hours – or five days – of uptime. The significant strength of the movement is reflected in the size of the Riviera, as as a rather thin mechanism (4.2 millimeters) the thickness that significantly affects the everyday usability of the watch is only 10.7 millimeters.
The steel case of the watch is polished and finished with satin grinding. The Riviera’s identifiable 12-angle fixed bell is attached to the case with four sandblasted screws. The back cover containing the sapphire crystal of the watch is also fastened to the watch case with screws. The watch is promised a water resistance of one hundred meters.
At Baume & Mercier Riviera, the focus is on a blue sapphire dial with a transparent wavy pattern. On top of the sapphire are indexes and pointers on the dial with strong snow. The ensemble is complemented by a reflection-protected sapphire crystal, so the parts of the dial between the sapphire crystals stand out wonderfully.
The Riviera has an integrated satin-polished three-link steel bracelet with a butterfly lock that can be opened by pressing from the sides. The wrist strap is changed without tools using the quick-release mechanism.