At Baume & Mercier, impeccable quality is a natural prerequisite for all new developments. This philosophy informs every creative project that the Maison undertakes, subscribing to an overall vision. It is the reason why a single director is responsible for the development of each product, its production, and corresponding customer service. This organizational method promotes numerous benefits for the quality of the watch, ensuring that everything works perfectly at every stage of the creative process.
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You might expect on something dressier like that to see brightly colored polished palms – and that I can see the allure. After getting the blued hands in sight, though, I think they work very well. For starters, it makes a sharp contrast to the white of the dial, which makes for simple readability. The coloration can also be somewhat shifty. This way, I mean it may appear a glowing blue in 1 light, and then change into an almost-black color (and it seems darker in most of these photographs), which speaks to a dressier piece.On the wrist, the 68g Baume & Mercier Hampton was a treat. Take special note of the weight, as that’s just about a featherweight when it comes to automatics (or, perhaps, I am just too used to steel dive watches). While the case back isn’t curved at all, I found the fit on my wrist to be great. The alligator strap added some additional texture into the watch, along with the signed deployant clasp worked well, and I didn’t have any issues with it digging in my wrist when I had matters sized, which I appreciate. That’s something I’ve noticed is a bigger problem when you have a deployant onto a strap – it may wind up adding unnecessary mass, which ends up digging into your skin. I think that the one we reviewed together with the blue handset is easily the most flexible, as you could easily swap in a brown strap onto this and also have a more casual look, giving it more flexibility. Obviously, you could also opt for a version which arrives on the brown strap (in either an automatic or a walnut – the quartz version dropping the price $1100). While apparel watch purists may not agree with me, I truly do think that the Baume & Mercier Hampton is a superb art deco inspired dress watch ready to take on the office or a night out with a tux.
Although the brand submits its watches and their components to a variety of production tests, it is ahead of time where the majority of production is decided. Brainstorming, meticulously planning, and outlining every last detail before pen is even put to paper is where the real challenge lies. Although quality assurance is essential, thinking ahead from the outset and anticipating all the requirements in the production, sale and use of a watch is much more efficient. Designing a watch also means imagining the life of the object years down the line, and considering questions of repairs, component logistics and production, along with legal issues to ensure that the product, its environment and the services it comprises comply with diverse national and regional legislation.
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Every stage in the production of a Baume & Mercier watch is subject to rigorous tests and checks – and the same applies to the movement – the component of a watch consisting of the greatest number of elements. They both have to be intrinsically reliable. Once the first watches are assembled, the pre-series are tested on the wrist by Baume & Mercier employees. Improvements are then made as needed. Once production in series is launched, all feedback – no matter how minor – is analyzed to identify any problems and correct them. All of these observations are documented so as to enhance future development guidelines.
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For this, the return of watches under warranty provides irrefutable proof. It’s impossible to cheat with such evidence. At Baume & Mercier, quality is not an empty promise. The most common reasons for a watch from the Maison to be brought to a service center for repair are shocks and magnetism problems. These factors are both external to the production process. Testament to the virtuous circle engaged in by the brand, the ratio of watches returned under warranty (already one of the lowest in the industry) has been falling steadily for several years.
Our customers have always been the focus at Baume & Mercier. With service and repair centers in more than 100 countries, we aim to meet their needs in close proximity to their geographical locations. However, for the most complicated timepieces, those produced in small series, and vintage models, watches are sent to Baume & Mercier at Les Brenets in the Neuchâtel Jura region, to be serviced or repaired in the hands of the watchmakers with the most experience of this type of exclusive product.
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Baume & Mercier is committed to keeping components in stock for all of the contemporary timepieces, meaning all those produced in the last 20 years. For older timepieces, the Maison is committed to helping our customers restore their watches. The vision for this is clear: when a customer acquires a Baume & Mercier today, he can be confident that he will be accompanied by the brand for the next 200 years.
Because a watch is first and foremost a design in the eyes of the customers, Baume & Mercier pays close attention to this aspect of the creative process. Yet, beyond their design, the watches bear a host of non-visible elements – their reliability, performance, price, guarantee, ability to be serviced or repaired, and brand image. All of these non-material aspects are critical when purchasing a luxury watch. For this reason, a Baume & Mercier will always be so much more than just a watch.
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