Baume & Mercier Extends the Classima Collection With Three New Complications

Baume & Mercier’s Classima collection is largely populated with classic three-hand-date dress models and the odd automatic chronograph. Three new models join the Classima line-up; a complete calendar with chronograph, a GMT or dual time, and a small seconds. Stylish and useful at the same time, the new models are conceived for everyday wear and tear. Housed in 42mm steel cases, they all feature on-trend blue dials, come with either a stainless steel bracelet or an interchangeable leather strap, are fitted with outsourced Swiss-made automatic movements and come with a price tag that won’t break the bank.

Classima Chronograph Complete Calendar

By far the most complete watch in the Classima collection today, this model marries a complete calendar to a chronograph. To qualify as a complete or full calendar, a watch has to indicate the date (with a manual adjustment for each month with less than 31 days), the day of the week and the month. The Classima goes that extra mile and adds a moon phase into the mix along with a 24-hour day/night indicator and chronograph functions – without cluttering the dial.

The design is quite clever and the chronograph counters double up as indicators for some of the calendar functions. The sub-dial at 12 o’clock relays the information of the 30-minute counter and contains two additional apertures for the day of the week and month. At 9 o’clock, the small seconds sub-dial houses a 24-hour day/night indicator, while at 6 o’clock, the 12-hour elapsed time disc hosts a moon phase indicator. The date is relayed on the perimeter of the dial and indicated by a slim hand with a red crescent-shaped tip.

The central area of the dial is decorated with a barleycorn motif and the snailed counters and chapter ring for the hours add a handsome touch of class to the watch. The reverse side reveals a view of the Valjoux 7751 automatic movement with its 48-hour power reserve and rotor decorated with Geneva stripes. The overall look is attractive and the watch comes with either an integrated steel bracelet or a matte black alligator strap that can be changed in a jiffy. The 42 x 13.25mm stainless steel case is polished and brushed. The time, the day, the month, and the moon phase are all set via the crown. A corrector button at 9 o’clock on the case is used to advance the day of the week function and necessitates a small tool, provided in the packaging.

Quick facts:  42mm diameter x 13.25 thickness – stainless steel – sapphire crystal front and back – 50m water-resistance –  Valjoux 7751 automatic movement – 28,800vph – 48h power reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds, date, day, month, moon phase, 24h indicator and chronograph – integrated steel bracelet or black alligator leather  with triple-folding clasp – EUR 4,200 steel/steel bracelet (Ref. 10485)  and EUR 4,100 steel/leather strap (Ref. 10484)

Classima Dual Time

By far one of the most useful functions for travellers crossing time zones, or simply for keeping track of time somewhere else in the world, 2019 has been a bumper crop year for GMT watches. Classima jumps on the bandwagon with this good looking watch that uses a classic Classima three-hand-date model as its departure point. With the same Roman numerals and minute track as the simpler versions, the Dual Time displays the second time zone on a central ring with a 24-hour scale.

Although a 24h scale usually means you don’t need to indicate whether it is day or night, this model displays the daylight hours against a silver background and the night hours against a blue one. Local time is read with the central hands and the home time with the red hand, matching the numeral 24 on the scale. The chapter ring for the hours is snailed while the centre of the dial is decorated with a barleycorn motif.  The date window sits discreetly at 3 o’clock. The stainless steel case measures 42mm with a thickness of 9.15mm and hosts an ETA 2893-2 movement with its 42h power reserve.

Quick facts: 42mm diameter x 9.15mm thickness – stainless steel – sapphire crystal front and back –  50m water-resistance – automatic ETA 2893-2 – 42h power reserve – 28,800 vph – central hours, minutes and seconds , 24h GMT scale, date – integrated steel bracelet or interchangeable black alligator strap with triple-folding clasp – EUR 2,650  steel/steel bracelet (Ref. 10483) and EUR 2,550 steel/leather strap (Ref. 10482)

Classima Small Seconds

A timelessly elegant small seconds model joins the Classima family in 2019. Like its siblings, the stainless steel case measures 42mm in diameter but is slightly thinner with a thickness of 10mm making it a suitable dress watch.  The dial also features the barleycorn decor in the centre, a snailed hours ring and Roman numerals but incorporates a small seconds counter just above 6 o’clock. Visible through the sapphire crystal on the reverse side, you can see the Sellita SW 260-1 automatic movement and the rotor with its Geneva stripes.

Quick facts: 42mm diameter x 10mm thickness – stainless steel – sapphire crystal front and back – 50m water-resistance – automatic Sellita 260 -1 – 38h power reserve – 28,800vbph – hours, minutes, small seconds and date – integrated steel bracelet or interchangeable black alligator strap with triple-folding clasp – EUR 2,500 steel/steel bracelet (Ref. 10481) – EUR 2,250 steel/leather strap (Ref. 10480)

For more information and prices in your local currency, please consult www.baume-et-mercier.com