Baume & Mercier

Baume & Mercier Men's 8712 Riviera Rose-Gold Chronograph Watch

• Quality Swiss Automatic movement; Functions without a battery; Powers automatically with the movement of your arm
• Scratch-resistant-sapphire crystal
• Case diameter: 43 mm

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The stunning rose-gold design and geometric lines of the Baume & Mercier Men's Riviera Rose-Gold Chronograph Watch handsomely complements its smart chronograph dial. Constructed with an 18-karat-rose-gold-and-stainless-steel case, this everyday timepiece includes a dodecagonal rose-gold bezel, and a black rubber wristband secured with a push-button-deployment clasp. A scratch-resistant-sapphire window shields the black dial, which features rose-gold Roman numeral hour markers framed by slim minute indexes. The dial also includes three chronograph subdials and a date calendar at the three o'clock position. Featuring Swiss-automatic movement, the watch is water resistant to 330 feet (100 M).

In 1973 the Riviera revolutionized the aesthetic watch-making characteristics by being equipped with a dodecagonal case--12 sides for 12 hours, or the geometric expression of a clever dose of innovation, classicism and creativity. Today a highly contemporary design that highlights the pure lines of this legendary watch, indissociable from Baume & Mercier's rich history.

The Baume & Mercier Story

Baume & Mercier has a rich history in storied tradition of Swiss watchmaking, now over 170 years. In 1830, brothers Louis Victor and Pierre-Joseph-Celestin Baume established the Baume Freres Watch firm in the Swiss Jura region--the heart of the Swiss watch industry. As business flourished in Europe a grandson of the founder, William Baume met Paul Mercier, a great lover of the arts and in 1918 they created a business partnership. The contrast of the rigorous, precise Baume with the artistic, free thinking Mercier fused form and function to create the traditions of perfection, quality, and luxury that still exist today.

In 1964, Baume & Mercier registered the Greek letter PHI as its brand logo, and it continues to be present on all Baume & Mercier designs. A symbol of the golden ratio and Leonard de Vinci's theory of proportion, it represents aesthetic elegance based on "divine proportions" that remain the brand's cardinal values.

the designers at Baume & Mercier utilize the goldmine of the company's over 175 years of watch-making history--from the oval of a crown to the graphics of a dial--to create the aesthetic contours of new timepieces. Inspired by a rectangular pink gold watch introduced by Baume & Mercier in 1960, the signature Hampton line of watches was created as a blend of watchmaking tradition and contemporary design. And the company still lives by the original slogan of the Baume brothers when they started Baume Freres: "Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality."

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001K3IX64
• Item model number: 8712
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,967 in Watches (See Top 100 in Watches)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-kept secret, June 14, 2011

By 

Nautibyrdman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baume & Mercier Men's 8712 Riviera Rose-Gold Chronograph Watch (Watch)

As the title of this review states, this watch is a well-kept secret here the in the US, in my humble amateur watch collector opinion.
I have an Omega Seamaster, a couple of Maurice Lacroix Masterpieces, a Tissot T-Touch, and a few others less worthy of mentioning. While not as well-appointed as my Maurice Lacroixs, this Baume&Mercier Riviera 8712 is every bit as well-appointed as my Omega 2225.80- not to mention its very similar movement to the Seamaster- Omega 1164, which is based on the Valjoux 7750.
Since purchasing the watch 2 weeks ago, the accuracy of the watch is excellent, keeping pretty close time with my Seamaster- which is a certified chronometer.
While being plenty flexible, soft, and comfortable, the rubber strap of the Baume 8712 is much sturdier than my Tissot T-Touch rubber strap. And despite having a rubber strap, the watch has decent weight to it; enough to remind you it's there.
The face of the watch is quite attractive due to the polished rose-gold Roman characters, recessed rose-gold lined sub-dials, and 6-sided "honeycomb" type pattern, which stand out more or less viewing the watch from different angles- the 2 latter features add some definite depth and character to the watch. The sub-dials add an understated sporty flare to the watch as well.
My favorite feature: The bezel finish is brushed on top, while its beveled edges are polished- which make for a nice contrasting touch, and, along with the sub-dials, will enable you to dress the watch up or down.
The only negative for me is the solid case-back; for this watch, an exhibition case-back would have been the icing on the cake- like on the newer Baume Riviera's.
Another positive is its case size- at about 43mmx14.5mm, it will look good on wrists relatively small, large, and in between.

In summary, this is a very nice and very noticeable watch- most of the online pictures do not do it any justice. I've worn it in many different settings- from a pizza joint to a high-end jewelry&watch store- and just about everyone notices/compliments this watch, whether they're a connoisseur or not; it definitely stands out from the rest. I'm really surprised that there aren't more people in the US wearing this watch, as I could not find any other reviews online. Considering the amount of rose-gold in its bezel, its unique design, and its Valjoux 7750 movement, $3,700 or so is well worth it.