Wait a minute…

This is 1 of 2 “pre-SIHH 2011″ releases from Baume & Mercier – the Classima Automatic Jumping Hour (Ref 10039).  It is a sharp looking watch, but I must confess I am a bit confused.  After all this watch looks eerily similar to the $19,900 Baume & Mercier William Baume Jumping Hour (Ref M0A08857) watch I wrote about this past August.  While I’m pretty sure the Classima Jumping Hour watch you see here does not cost $19,900, I’m kinda wondering why the “William Baume Jumping Hour” version does!  OK, sure one is steel and one is red gold, but what else?  Did B&M ditch the “William Baume” concept in favor of this?  Unfortunately the press release from the brand does nothing to clarify this matter.  Further clarification is needed…please.

Baume & Mercier Automatic Jumping Hour (Ref 10039)

Limited Edition of 500 (numbered), available Fall 2011

42mm steel case, automatic mechanical Dubois Depraz 14400 movement, black alligator strap

close up of the nice dial