baume and mercier 8245 review

Want to know what Baume & Mercier will be presenting at the 2010 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in January? Well you don't have to wonder anymore. The Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete Calendar watch will be centered stage at this prestigious event. The classically shaped round case measures 42mm in diameter, plenty of space to include all the great features offered on the watch. Its silvered dial features a stamped "grain d'orge" guilloche pattern at center and a satin silvered surface on the outer section. The sub dials on the watch have a concentric circle pattern at the chronograph counters. The brand has chosen to use leaf-shaped hands in an oxidized black finish as indicators. The Extra Large Chronograph is animated by the ETA-Valjoux 7751 caliber self-winding mechanical movement, one that was based upon the legendary 7750 caliber movement. In a rather untraditional move for the brand, you can control the start, stop, and return to zero operations of the chronograph via cam switching rather than a column wheel. The movement allows for a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. All the fine details of the movement are visible through the transparent sapphire exhibition window in the case back. The watch has been carefully crafted to offer a water resistance that is rated for 30 meters. The Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete Calendar timepiece is completed by an alligator leather strap with a polished stainless steel folding clasp displaying the Baume & Mercier signature.

Renowned Swiss watchmaker Baume & Mercier has redefined upper-class elegance with the latest edition to its impeccable William Baume collection, the Tourbillon. This handsomely alluring timepiece makes its initial impression with the rose-gold 43 mm casing, accentuated by the strap fashioned from dark alligator leather. At first sight, the Tourbillon is immediately eye-catching, and a longer look gives sight to the subtler details that add even more class and panache: rose-gold baton markers and hands, and a gold-framed aperture that reveals a flying tourbillon. When you value the sum of its parts, the Tourbillon equals affluent watch*** at its finest. 86 Uniqueness Let’s look at the numbers: a svelte 43 mm case of polished 18K rose gold, a flying tourbillon that completes one revolution every 60 seconds, and water resistance of up to 30 meters. In terms of watches, a few of these are defining, while a few are run of the mill. You can’t just take numbers at face value, though; other key factors that impact the outcome on the watch’s singularity are the anything-but-pedestrian design and the reputation on which it rests. The William Baume Tourbillon not only looks outlandishly tasteful, but also enters the market as the first tourbillon to be offered by Baume & Mercier; besides having some impressive stats, you have to consider that the Tourbillon is also a first. But for all the impressive numbers tied to this extraordinary timepiece, the one that truly tips the scale is 10, which is the number of Tourbillons produced worldwide. Read more 83 Durability No one can deny that the Tourbillon epitomizes quality. From the 18K rose gold to the sapphire crystal, this timepiece enjoys all the necessary ingredients of sustainability; the superior elements that make up its physical composition will be around as symbols of luxury 50 years from now. The watch also possesses other features that guarantee its longevity as a hallmark of sophistication: the gold-framed aperture revealing the flying tourbillon gives a much needed air of modernity to the otherwise simplistic design. (Ironically, the one slight of hand that the Tourbillon may face could come from its namesake; being Baume & Mercier’s first tourbillon could mean maintenance issues down the road.) Couple the watch’s resilient elements with its timeless detailing, and you get a timepiece that’s sure to be a treasured possession for any man lucky enough to own one -- and we say “lucky” because only 10 are available in the entire world.