Baume & Mercier
Geneva, Switzerland · Est. 1830
Founded by Louis-Victor Baume, Célestin Baume
Founded in Les Brenets, Switzerland in 1830, Baume & Mercier is one of the oldest Swiss watch brands and has been part of the Richemont Group since 1988. The maison is known for its classically elegant timepieces, particularly the Clifton and Riviera collections, positioned at the accessible end of Swiss luxury.
- Founded
- 1830
- Headquarters
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Group
- Richemont
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Riviera — Integrated-bracelet sports watch reviving the iconic 1973 original, with a distinctive dodecagonal (12-sided) bezel.
- Classima — Refined dress watch collection with clean, classical designs suitable for everyday elegance.
- Clifton — Sophisticated round watches featuring in-house and Sellita movements, positioned as the brand's core luxury offering.
- Hampton — Rectangular case watches inspired by Art Deco design, offering a distinctive alternative to round dress watches.
Timeline
- 1830 — Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume open a watch trading counter in Les Bois, Switzerland.
- 1918 — Partnership with Paul Mercier forms Baume & Mercier in Geneva.
- 1973 — Launch of the Riviera — one of the first luxury steel sports watches with an integrated bracelet.
- 1988 — Acquired by Richemont Group (then Vendôme Luxury Group).
- 2022 — Riviera collection relaunched with modern sizing and both quartz and automatic options.
- 2025 — Appointed Michael Guenoun as new CEO. Refreshed Clifton 39mm with Baumatic and downsized Riviera Chronograph to 41mm at Watches & Wonders.
- 2026 — Richemont signed agreement to sell Baume & Mercier to Italian Damiani Group, closing expected summer 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions about Baume & Mercier
- Is Baume & Mercier a luxury brand?
- Yes, it is one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers (founded 1830) and a member of the Richemont luxury group alongside Cartier and IWC. It positions itself as accessible luxury.
- What makes the Riviera special?
- Launched in 1973, the Riviera was among the first luxury steel sports watches with an integrated bracelet, predating the popularity of similar designs from other brands.