26 September 2007
Exclusive new designs honour the horological expertise of William Baume

Four exclusive new watches, from the luxury Swiss manufacturer Baume & Mercier, celebrate the role of founder member William Baume. A watchmaker of outstanding talent, William Baume was the heir to a family saga that commenced in 1830 when his grandfather, Louis-Victor Baume and a brother co-founded "Frères Baume" in les Bois, in the Swiss Jura.

This watchmaking atelier gained worldwide recognition thanks to the excellence and innovativeness of its timepieces and was awarded numerous distinctions between 1885 and 1910; notably obtaining the highest mark at the Kew Observatory Chronometer trials in England; the most prestigious competition in its day.  Frères Baume also won several gold medals at universal exhibitions in Paris, London, Philadelphia and Geneva.

The new William Baume Collection perfectly illustrates Baume & Mercier's founding philosophy and know-how. By enhancing its iconic Hampton and Classima Executives models with traditional watchmaking complication movements, Baume & Mercier renews its ties with its origins and honours the heritage of William Baume through horological craftsmanship.

The William Baume Collection comprises of four exclusive, limited edition pieces for traditional watchmaking enthusiasts. All models utilise the company's SOPROD 9094 automatic movement, with retrograde date, weekday indication, power reserve and water resistance to 50m.

All four also have a sapphire glass back to view the balance and are adorned with inscription "William Baume Collection" engraved on their polished cases. The Hampton Square Steel and  Classima Executives Steel are both limited and numbered to 1830 pieces; the former featuring a 45mm extra large case, the latter a large 39mm round retro case. Both have silvered sun dials with applied rhodium-plated indexes and dark brown alligator straps; the Hampton Square Steel utilising a triple-folding buckle, the Classima Executives Steel a pin buckle. Limited to just 177 pieces are the William Baume Collection Classima Executive Red Gold models, available with either a silvered dial or black sun dial and dark brown or black alligator straps, respectively. Both of these Red Gold models feature 39mm, round retro, 18 K red gold cases.

The William Baume Collection is available throughout the UAE through selected Baume & Mercier watch outlets. Baume & Mercier have had a special relationship with the UAE, even going as far to create a special timepiece - the exclusive Classima Dubai Limited Edition - to raise funds for the local Rashid Paediatric Centre. Through a joint venture with luxury watch retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, Baume & Mercier have donated a significant percentage of the proceeds from the sale of these watches to the centre, in order to buy new equipment for its physically disabled division.

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© Press Release 2007