SIHH 2013 Preview…

Update: new details posted.

In 2013 Baume & Mercier is set to introduce an entirely new collection, the Clifton.  Details are scant at the moment — I have not received any official communication from Baume & Mercier and thus I am still trying to piece together the full story based on my own sources.  But worry not, as usual Perpetuelle readers will be treated to some advance details and pictures — on the jump.

Baume & Mercier Clifton 1830

42mm red gold case (8.85mm thick), domed sapphire crystal, manual wind movement by La Joux-Perret for B&M

Baumer & Mercier from the 1950s

The new Baume & Mercier Clifton Collection, “inspired by the golden fifties”, was announced almost two months ago in China, and there is now an entire microsite dedicated to the new Clifton collection.  The microsite, accessible here in English and Chinese, has a “.cn” domain extension on it which is the country code for China and features seven different references across three distinct models — a classic 39mm 3-hander+date, an 43mm annual calendar, and a 43mm small seconds model.

Inspired by a Baume & Mercier 1950’s vintage timepiece, and an evolution of Baume & Mercier’s old Classima collection,  the Clifton collection is a contemporary and modern interpretation of the classic round watch.  It also features a double-beveled design for a unique look.   The Clifton collection will retail between $2,700-$6,300 and will be available in stores in April 2013 and via www.baume-et-mercier.com.

In addition to these seven new Clifton references, I have discovered that there is at least one additional Clifton model that will be introduced — the Clifton Ref 10060 shown here.

The manual wind caliber operates at 3Hz and has a robust 90 hour power reserve via two barrels — produced by La Joux-Perret, which has supplied movements for B&M in the past, one recent example being the limited edition Capeland chronograph for the US market.

Did You Know?

Significantly, Baume&Mercier is one of the very few fine watchmaking houses that can repair and restore any watch it  has ever made, including its precision and complicated pocket watches from the nineteenth century.