“Les Exceptionnelles” collection is the result of creative and aesthetic reflection to which Baume & Mercier has devoted itself for the second consecutive year. Weaving poetic links between watchmaking and fashion, this collection showcases the contemporaneity of the House.
Inspired by a myth
Promesse “Les Exceptionnelles” collection is a creative manifesto, affirmed this year in three new cuff bracelets inspired by the celestial constellation: Coma Berenices, or Berenice’s Hair. According to mythology, Queen Berenice II of Egypt promised to sacrifice her long hair in exchange for her husband’s safe return from war. Despite the King’s opposition, the Queen fulfilled this promise in the temple of Aphrodite. Seduced by the offering, the goddess then took the locks up to the heavens and fixed them in the sky to form the constellation.
Baume & Mercier has chosen to recount this shining story of femininity using pearls – the symbol of perfect beauty – and Ariadne’s thread. This celestial constellation is celebrated with three limited edition designs, limited to ten pieces each. At a time when a woman’s hair was emblematic of absolute femininity, separating oneself from one’s locks was seen as a symbol of self-assertion and personal emancipation. The brand celebrates this frame of mind with a creative and poetic manifesto, paying tribute to the aspirations of contemporary women: to be free and happy, above all by being themselves.
A combination of haute couture and watchmaking
For this edition, Swiss craftsmen have manufactured three styles, each limited to ten pieces. Both a jewelry piece and a watch, each of these modern and ultra-feminine accessories adorns the wrist with delicacy and taste. With exquisite craftsmanship all eyes are drawn to these multi-faceted cuffs.
The Cosmos
The motion featured here is your durable Valjoux 7753 that offers a sufficient 48-hour electricity book. The 7753 is observable through the instance back via a different sapphire crystal and beats at 28,800vph. This is the same movement as was housed in the prior Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra Limited Edition watches, and while the 7753 might not be the prettiest of motions, you aren’t always buying this watch for your case-back. You are buying this watch for its sporty design and racing legacy it’s intended to honor.Each of the four Baume & Mercier Legendary Driver Capeland Shelby Cobra watches is restricted to some 15-piece run and will be available exclusively in North America at the Feldmar Watch Company in Los Angeles, CA, and Celebrities D’Oro in Las Vegas, NV, starting in October 2016. If it comes to apparel watches, it looks like purists seem to prefer a smaller (typically round) black dial using a straightforward two-hander movement. While I appreciate a fantastic dress watch, I am more than willing to deviate from the “black tie” normal, as it’s handy to mix things up today and again. For example, I actually favor a white dial, and should you swap that situation shape out to some compact rectangle, you’ve got what we’re taking a look at today — that the Baume & Mercier Hampton.And a compact case it’s, measuring in at 42.6mm x 29.2mm, using a case thickness of 8.1mm. That said, that depth dimension may be a bit misleading, because of one of the very unexpected (but pleasant) surprises with all the Baume & Mercier Hampton, it is sapphire crystal. You see, its a thicker crystal, curved from top to bottom. You might be thinking, well, what is so special about that? You may really see a massive portion of this curve due to the fact that the situation sides scoop down out of it. Does this give you an opinion of the crystal, but it keeps the sides of the watch from appearing to be too thick.
Synonymous with freedom and creativity, the Cosmos is the flagship model of the new trio. Directly inspired by the Coma Berenices constellation, it reveals the Promesse moon phase dial against a deeply romantic swathe of midnight blue raw silk. Embroidered with Akoya pearls and silver thread, the fabric evokes the stardust of this celestial myth.
The Cosmos © Baume & Mercier
Insolence
With its midnight blue lambskin, accentuated with a row of natural pearls, Insolence represents glam-rock. The association of these two sensual materials brings a “Haute Couture” touch to the Promesse 30mm which features a midnight blue sunray guilloché dial. Both chic and rebellious, its presence imposes with character and insolence and symbolizes powerful women and the absence of conventions.
Poetry
A 1920s spirit infuses Petite Promesse. Its chainmail fringed with Akoya pearls is like a miniature Milky Way, the fine craftsmanship highlighting its delicate format. Mounted on a white lambskin bracelet with Akoya pearls, the case is entirely set with diamonds, offering a refined touch to this poetic cuff with a very “couture” feel. An ultra feminine and fashion creation.