Watches & Wonders 2020 - Baume & Mercier - Hampton Collection
Hampton, the iconic Baume & Mercier collection, pays tribute to Art Deco with the launch of a new contemporary collection.
The Hampton watch features a unique style emblematic of the Art Deco movement and is immediately distinctive for its unique design, expressed through a rectangular watch case.
Today, the Hampton collection reveals new silhouettes and offers shapes that pay tribute to the world-renowned architectural movement of the 1920s. In the image of the great Art Deco trends of the day, the curves of the Hampton watch take precedence over right angles and give beauty to the light gliding on smooth surfaces.
The new pieces feature polished steel cases available in three sizes:
- 35 x 22.2 mm (small)
- 43 x 27.5 mm (medium)
- 48 x 31 mm (large)
The self-winding pieces have a sapphire back with four screws, while the quartz versions have a closed back.
The dials, protected by a domed sapphire crystal, are adorned with contemporary Arabic numerals emphasized by riveted indexes and accentuated by sword-shaped hands. The design with pure forms, combined with the perfectly balanced proportions of the watch, bring the piece a subtle fluidity and softness and offers clear visibility of the time. This creative approach is similar to that of the famous architectural movement, combining functionality with luxury.
The diamond-set dial in white mother-of-pearl, opaline silver, and sunray satin-polished blue dials are all adorned with a delicate grey minute track. The watches are driven by a new-generation quartz movement with an optimised 7-year reliability.
The men's timepieces come to life with the three-hand self-winding movements, of which the oscillating mass of the hour, minute and small seconds hands is decorated with the "Côtes de Genève" design. Depending on the model, each watch features a 38 or 42 hour power reserve. The passing time appears on silver-tone and grained dials with various opaline textures. The contemporary sword-shaped black ruthenium hands add character, masterfully contrasting with the hue of the dial. A bicolour black and grey minute track structures the entire dial.
The relief, hues, shapes and materials all point to the Art Deco spirit of this collection. Every accent of these new pieces showcases the spirit of this artistic movement, on both the ladies' and men's pieces.
The Hampton is also available in a version featuring a large date with dual time zone and day/night indicator: this is one of the notable pieces of the collection. The piece has a 42-hour power reserve. This watch, too, expresses refinement down to the finest detail. The self-winding Soprod TT651 movement is enhanced with a "Côtes de Genève" design.
A play on colours and styles... Right down to the straps!
Hampton watches are mounted on metal bracelets that may be interchanged according to your whims.
With a touch of modernity and freshness, the ladies' watches play on colour. They make way for trendy pantones such as liquorice and the very elegant light brown. New this year, there is also a collection of eleven additional calfskin straps in radiant hues: ocean, coral, turquoise, lime, green, black, orchid, mauve, passionfruit, poppy and mango, not to mention a light brown wrap-around strap with cream overstitching.
A piece featuring a pastel strap also brightens the summer style, in a captivating sky blue exclusively developed by Baume & Mercier. For a dressier look, the Hampton offers a sleek three-row satin-polished metal bracelet.
The men's pieces are mounted on a black alligator strap with square scales, emphasised by grey overstitching and equipped with a triple folding clasp with safety push-pieces. Men’s styles are also offered in various strap colours and options, thanks to an additional selection offering trendy hues such as brown, grey and navy blue.