Baume & Mercier is a Swiss luxury watch brand that has a rich history dating back to the 19th century.
The company was founded in 1830 by brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume in the small Swiss village of Les Bois. Initially, the company focused on producing high-quality pocket watches with innovative features such as chronographs, repeaters, and alarms. The Baume brothers quickly gained a reputation for their precision and craftsmanship, and their watches soon became popular throughout Europe.
In 1851, the brothers opened a second workshop in London to expand their business. This move allowed them to tap into the British market and establish themselves as a major player in the watchmaking industry.
The next major milestone for the company came in 1918, when Paul Mercier joined the firm. Mercier was a talented designer and businessperson, and he quickly modernized the company’s operations and helped it grow into a global brand. Under his leadership, Baume & Mercier began producing wristwatches, which were becoming increasingly popular among consumers.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Baume & Mercier continued to innovate, producing watches with complex movements and advanced features such as moon phases and perpetual calendars. The company also collaborated with famous designers and artists, including Georges Braque and Edward Steichen, to create limited edition timepieces.
Baume & Mercier faced challenges during the Great Depression and World War II, but it continued to produce high-quality watches throughout these difficult times. In the post-war era, the company expanded its operations, opening new factories and showrooms in Switzerland and around the world.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Baume & Mercier embraced the sleek, modern style of the era, producing watches with clean lines and minimalist dials. During this time, the company also introduced several iconic collections, including the Riviera and the Galaxie.
In the 1980s, Baume & Mercier became part of the Richemont Group, a luxury goods conglomerate that owns several other prestigious watch brands. Under Richemont’s ownership, Baume & Mercier continued to innovate and expand, producing watches with new materials and advanced features.
Today, Baume & Mercier is known for its elegant, classic designs and its commitment to quality and innovation. The company produces a wide range of timepieces, from simple quartz watches to complicated mechanical pieces with features such as chronographs and tourbillons. Baume & Mercier remains one of the most respected and admired names in the watchmaking industry.
