by Mirella Haddad
The story began in 1830 in the Swiss village of Les Bois when brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume founded a watch dealership as a family business. The company soon developed and earned an excellent reputation thanks to the creation of exceptionally innovative timepieces. The rapid growth that Baume Brother’s company witnessed kept them loyal to their famous motto: “Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality”.
A true visionary, Louis-Victor succeeded at catching women’s attention in watchmaking and presented a pocket-watch to his daughter Melina in 1869 as a gift. Named after her, the gold watch was engraved with the inscription “A notre chère enfant” (To our dear daughter) from Baume & Mercier Museum collection.
.jpg)
After the opening of a branch in London under the name of “Baume Brothers”, the company soon expanded in the British Empire and reached India, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Burma, acquiring a solid reputation worldwide. At that time, the brand was best known for its chronographs and its opulent designs. Besides being beautiful, Baume’s timepieces were of a high-degree of precision, which gave the company the privilege to win ten Grand Prix awards and seven gold medals at numerous exhibitions and shows.
It was in 1918 that Baume & Mercier was founded after the company’s director William Baume joined forces with Paul Mercier. Since this partnership took place, the brand became one of the most active in the field of wristwatches with balanced and unique shapes and was awarded “Poinçon de Genève”, the highest international distinction of the time in 1919.
In the 1940s, the brand decided to please her women and design timepieces full of femininity by launching one of its most successful watches: the Marquise. Attractive and practical, this jewelry-watch is a bangle-like bracelet made of white or yellow gold, sometimes set with diamonds.
.jpg)
Being the first to launch “shaped” wristwatches Baume & Mercier launched in the 1970s a collection of watches with innovative shapes such as the Galaxie and the Stardust. Reflecting the brand’s high level of creativity, these watches won the supreme Golden Rose distinction.
.jpg)
This year, in a time when we could all use a promise, the regional Baume & Mercier unveiled their Promesse collection in Beirut. Exclusively sold in Lebanon until the month of September, Promesse watches are inspired by a 70s model, lightweight and ideal for career women and mothers. Based on classic Baume & Mercier design codes, Promesse offers a gently aesthetic tempo encapsulated in an oval bezel that is further nestled in a soft, round case.
.jpg)
What binds the historical brand with women’s aspiration is a common value: “Elegance born of harmony, self-fulfillment and sharing. Promesse watches are for modern, independent women, attached to a certain idea.” With such a rich history it is no wonder Baume & Mercier’s Promesse is as timeless as its creativity and elegance.
The story began in 1830 in the Swiss village of Les Bois when brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume founded a watch dealership as a family business. The company soon developed and earned an excellent reputation thanks to the creation of exceptionally innovative timepieces. The rapid growth that Baume Brother’s company witnessed kept them loyal to their famous motto: “Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality”.
A true visionary, Louis-Victor succeeded at catching women’s attention in watchmaking and presented a pocket-watch to his daughter Melina in 1869 as a gift. Named after her, the gold watch was engraved with the inscription “A notre chère enfant” (To our dear daughter) from Baume & Mercier Museum collection.
After the opening of a branch in London under the name of “Baume Brothers”, the company soon expanded in the British Empire and reached India, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Burma, acquiring a solid reputation worldwide. At that time, the brand was best known for its chronographs and its opulent designs. Besides being beautiful, Baume’s timepieces were of a high-degree of precision, which gave the company the privilege to win ten Grand Prix awards and seven gold medals at numerous exhibitions and shows.
It was in 1918 that Baume & Mercier was founded after the company’s director William Baume joined forces with Paul Mercier. Since this partnership took place, the brand became one of the most active in the field of wristwatches with balanced and unique shapes and was awarded “Poinçon de Genève”, the highest international distinction of the time in 1919.
In the 1940s, the brand decided to please her women and design timepieces full of femininity by launching one of its most successful watches: the Marquise. Attractive and practical, this jewelry-watch is a bangle-like bracelet made of white or yellow gold, sometimes set with diamonds.
Being the first to launch “shaped” wristwatches Baume & Mercier launched in the 1970s a collection of watches with innovative shapes such as the Galaxie and the Stardust. Reflecting the brand’s high level of creativity, these watches won the supreme Golden Rose distinction.
This year, in a time when we could all use a promise, the regional Baume & Mercier unveiled their Promesse collection in Beirut. Exclusively sold in Lebanon until the month of September, Promesse watches are inspired by a 70s model, lightweight and ideal for career women and mothers. Based on classic Baume & Mercier design codes, Promesse offers a gently aesthetic tempo encapsulated in an oval bezel that is further nestled in a soft, round case.
What binds the historical brand with women’s aspiration is a common value: “Elegance born of harmony, self-fulfillment and sharing. Promesse watches are for modern, independent women, attached to a certain idea.” With such a rich history it is no wonder Baume & Mercier’s Promesse is as timeless as its creativity and elegance.
Share Article 
