Baume & Mercier’s Hampton Collection Carries Forward The Brand’s Artistic Heritage
5 min read
There is no better shape of a watch case to adorn your wrist in purist dress watch terms than the classic rectangle. With a bold parting from the conventional aesthetic codes and revolutionizing the steel shape watch upon its launch in 1994, the Baume & Mercier Hampton Collection expresses the bedrock motif of a true dress watch aesthetic befitting every gentleman’s style.
The designer spirit of the brand Baume & Mercier roots in the amalgam of the artistic watchmaking approach of Paul Mercier with the watchmaker William Baume in 1918. The successors of the brand continue their pursuit of the legacy highlighted through different collections and variations, dominated by the form and function equilibrium while upholding the traditional Swiss watchmaking values.
The traits of a fine dress watch expressed in all glory
At the Watches and Wonders 2023, Baume & Mercier announced the launch of three new Hampton models. The latest iterations have set an ambition of carrying the brand legacy forward by expressing its intrinsic allure through luminous, subtly crafted blue dials: a self-winding version, a ladies’ gem-set jewelry version, and a very architectural steel version with an integrated three-row strap.
The effortlessly classic and majestic rectangle shape
The Hampton Collection from Baume & Mercier is an illustrious expression of watchmaking and derives its case shape from a rectangular profile with rounded corners and curved lugs. Embodying Art Deco sophistication, the watch remains nominal in its aesthetics with a slender design. The watch’s clearly defined and harmonious contours captivate the wearer towards its balanced form. The design follows the code of the golden ratio, symbolized by the Greek letter Phi which also doubles as the brand emblem.
Drawing inspiration from the 1960s model icon, the latest Hampton collection launched at Watches and Wonders resonates with the 1920s Art Deco style with its flattering rectangular shape. The reserved and regal rectangle shape of the watches lends itself to all sorts of variations: a case in steel or gold; diverse choices for dial color schemes, both simple and diamond-set; a strap in leather or steel, available in classic and bright colors, integrated, interchangeable, with a simple or wraparound design. The time-honored and ever-faithful elegance adapts to the trends.
The realms of aesthetic elite are highlighted by the intensity of blue dials
Of the latest Hampton collection launched at Watches and Wonders 2023, two models feature an intense blue dial with sophisticated sun-rayed finishing.
The self-winding model M0A10732 depicts its timekeeping expression through a trio of elegant hands set on a backdrop of sun-satin opaline blue dial. The finishing illuminates the dial in a graduating sense and the resulting optical effect along with the sensible exotic geometric shape lends an elegant soul to this timepiece.
The deeper variation of model reference M0A10709 with its midnight blue dial shades evokes the night sky intensity. The sun-satin finish creates a wonderful play of light, which varies with the viewing angle and the wrist position.
HAMPTON M0A10732
In this iteration of the collection, a sun-satin opaline blue dial poses as the centerpiece attraction and features rhodium-plated, riveted Arabic numerals and hour indexes with a black minute track along the periphery. The “glaive” hands are also rhodium-plated. The watch’s elegantly polished stainless steel rectangular case proportions measure 43 x 27.5 mm and 9.95 mm thick. A scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal creates a hallmark viewpoint for the front while a sapphire case back fastened by four screws may be personalized with an engraving.
This model is born on a blue alligator strap with square scales and tone-on-tone overstitching. The strap with its triple folding buckle with security push-pieces can be easily interchanged without the need for tools.
This watch interacts with the wearer via its time expression formats of hours, minutes, and seconds. It is brought to life by a 38-hour power reserve self-winding movement with exquisite finishing decorations such as a circular-grained bridge, a sand-blasted and snailed baseplate, and an oscillating weight adorned with “Côtes de Genève” and snailed decorations. The watch offers water resistance to 5 ATM (approx. 50m).
HAMPTON M0A10709
The gem set iteration of the Hampton watch launched at Watches and Wonders comes on a midnight blue dial and evokes the ideal aesthetic for a perfect ladies' watch. The timepiece exhibits a dual styling purpose and can be adorned as an evening statement piece or even be flaunted during the day.
The dial on this watch features riveted rhodium-plated indexes set with four brilliant-cut diamonds (Top Wesselton diamonds, VS quality, 0.01 ct) at 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock, as well as rhodium-plated “glaive” hands. The minute track is blue.
The emblematic rectangular case in polished stainless steel is graced with 28 brilliant-cut diamonds (Top Wesselton, VS quality, 0.35 ct), elegantly set on either side for a symmetric aesthetic. The jewelry inspiration and immense depth of color is a trait that extends to the cabochon-shaped steel crown which is set with a synthetic blue spinel. The case back is solid and may be engraved to the buyer’s preferences.
At 35 x 22.2 mm and with a thickness of 6.92 mm, the case proportions are perfectly suited to a woman’s wrist and highlight the casual refinement of the timepiece.
Equally riveting is the shiny midnight blue alligator strap with a tone-on-tone over-stitching, and a pin buckle system. Its special reliable spring bar system makes it easily interchangeable.
The timepiece indicates the hours and minutes and is powered by a quartz movement with an eight-year autonomy. It is water-resistant to 5 ATM (approx. 50m).
HAMPTON M0A10740
The Art Deco-inspired rectangular case shape of this timepiece serves it an ideally dressy aesthetic and carves a harmonious rhythm full of contrasts, featuring subtle alternations of steel, gray and white; polished and satin-finished surfaces; and vertical and horizontal lines along the strap.
The rectangular case shape is replicated at the center of the dial stretching from one end to the other of the rhodium-plated “glaive” hands. The timepiece features a gray minute along the opaline white dial perimeter, riveted rhodium-plated Arabic numerals, and indexes.
The hallmark sculptural effect is amplified by the design’s pure lines. Available in polished stainless steel with dimensions of 43 x 27.5 mm and a thickness of 8.65 mm, the watch face is protected by a scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal. The solid case back is fastened with four screws and may be engraved.
Serving to be an ideal extension to the architectural dynamic dominated by the balanced aesthetic appeal, the watch features a new integrated bracelet, made up of three rows of links in satin-polished stainless steel, for a stylish and flowing effect. Highlighting comfort and a secure fit, the bracelet’s triple folding buckle is equipped with security push-pieces.
Powered by a quartz movement with an eight-year autonomy, the timepiece displays the hours and minutes. It is water-resistant to 5 ATMs or approx. 50m
The ever-faithful rectangular case of the latest models in the Hampton Collection launched at Watches and Wonders 2023 continues to push back the limits of creativity. The watches deserve all the attention of any fine artistic inception and drape a captivating aesthetic.
Availability:
Model: Hampton 10732
Availability: June 2023
Model: Hampton 10709
Availability: June 2023
Model: Hampton 10740
Availability: June 2023
Technical Specifications:
HAMPTON
Reference M0A10732 / (M0A10733)
Automatic Medium – Steel / Alligator
MOVEMENT Automatic (ETA 2671)
Bridges with circular-grained decor
Sandblasted plate with snailed decor
Oscillating weight adorned with "Côtes de Genève" and snailed decors
Power reserve: 38 hours
Jewels: 21
Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 vph)
Thickness: 4,8 mm
FUNCTIONS H/M/S
CASE Rectangular
Size: 43 x 27.5 mm
Thickness: 9,95 mm
Polished stainless steel
Scratch-resistant curved sapphire crystal
Sapphire case back secured with 4 screws*
DIAL Sun satin-finished opaline blue
Riveted rhodium-plated Arabic numerals and indexes
Rhodium-plated sword-shaped hands
Black & white minute track
STRAP Interchangeable integrated blue all square scales alligator with tone-on-tone stitching
System of straight bars with very reliable lug that allows to change the strap without tools
BUCKLE Triple folding stainless steel buckle with security push-pieces
WATER-RESISTANCE 5 ATM (approx. 50m)
HAMPTON
Reference M0A10709/ (M0A10710)/ Quartz
MOVEMENT Quartz (MHH057)
Autonomy: 8 years
FUNCTIONS H/M
CASE Rectangular
Size: 35 x 22,2 mm
Thickness: 6,92 mm
Polished stainless steel case set with 28 diamonds
(Brilliant-cut, Top Wesselton, VS quality, 0.35 ct)
Scratch-resistant curved sapphire crystal
Steel cabochon-shaped crown with blue synthetic spinel incrusted
Full case back*
DIAL Sun satin-finished night blue
Riveted rhodium-plated indexes and diamond set (4 brilliant-cut diamonds, Top Wesselton, VS quality, 0.01 ct)
Rhodium-plated sword-shaped hands
Blue minute track
STRAP Interchangeable integrated shiny blue all square scales alligator with tone-on-tone stitching
System of straight bars with very reliable lug that allows to change the strap without tools
BUCKLE Stainless steel pin buckle
WATER-RESISTANCE 5 ATM (approx. 50m)
HAMPTON
Reference M0A10740 Quartz Medium – Steel / Steel
MOVEMENT Quartz (MHH057)
Autonomy: 8 years
FUNCTIONS H/M
CASE Rectangular
Size: 43 x 27,5 mm
Thickness: 8,65 mm
Polished stainless steel
Scratch-resistant curved sapphire crystal
Full case back secured with 4 screws*
DIAL Opaline white
Riveted rhodium-plated Arabic numerals and indexes
Rhodium-plated sword-shaped hands
Grey minute line
BRACELET Interchangeable integrated 3-row polished and satin-
finished stainless steel
Fast strap interchangeability system that allows to change the bracelet without any need for tools
CLASP Triple folding stainless steel clasp with security push-pieces
WATER-RESISTANCE 5 ATM (approx. 50m)
