Thoughts on Riviera as my 2nd watch?
Hi all, I am new to this community and would like your opinions on this.
Lately I have been thinking about adding a new time piece and the Baume et Mercier Riviera suddenly caught my eye. I feel like it pays homage to the royal oak very nicely while it stills keep its own identity. Keeping it real, I don’t think I will ever manage to buy myself a AP royal oak.
I feel like the watch itself is good one but it’s kinda goes under the radar (at least where I came from) and the brand while it is a pretty well known brand globally, it is not the case in my city.
Do you guys think Riviera is worth buying or do you guys have any alternatives you might want to suggest?
*ps. First ever post sorry for the broken English
A newbie on the watch community. Bought my first mechanical watch in 2023 and hooked into watches ever since.
“Worth buying” is only something you can answer. I don’t think you have to worry about B&M as a brand or their quality. The only question is whether you like it for it’s design, comfort and price.
As for alternatives, I am waiting for the Moëls 369 release next week.
Grenchen f77
Baume&Mercier has been around a long time, I have never owned the Riviera model but still have a few different watches from the brand catalogue including a chronograph that my wife and 2 daughters gifted to me more than 20 years ago, a watch that I will always treasure. You are never going to be the guy wearing the most recognizable watch in a room if that distinction matters to you, but you will also not be following the mob. I used to wear my B&M watch to Thursday meetings with company big shots because nobody else wore the brand. I expect some very compelling complications fitted into the Riviera case this year, missed out on a moonphase last year watch limited to 50 worldwide.
I love mine. The bracelet is substantial and I think the overall quality is fantastic for the price point.
Baume&Mercier has been around a long time, I have never owned the Riviera model but still have a few different watches from the brand catalogue including a chronograph that my wife and 2 daughters gifted to me more than 20 years ago, a watch that I will always treasure. You are never going to be the guy wearing the most recognizable watch in a room if that distinction matters to you, but you will also not be following the mob. I used to wear my B&M watch to Thursday meetings with company big shots because nobody else wore the brand. I expect some very compelling complications fitted into the Riviera case this year, missed out on a moonphase last year watch limited to 50 worldwide.
“You are never going to be the guy wearing the most recognizable watch in a room if that distinction matters to you, but you will also not be following the mob.” This is exactly what I am looking for.
Thank you for the insight.
I seriously considered this watch. It looks great.
BM is coool! I handeled the 39mm with see through dial at a RedBar Recently and I got to say it's a cool watch and impressive movement.
“You are never going to be the guy wearing the most recognizable watch in a room if that distinction matters to you, but you will also not be following the mob.” This is exactly what I am looking for.
Thank you for the insight.
👍👍
As someone who recently picked one up, do it. Like you I also looked at some of the other big integrated sports names - personally like the Chopard Alpine Eagle and some of the GP Laureattos - but they are out of my budget for now.
Trust me - getting this watch will not feel like you "settled" once you feel it in your hands, have it on, and look at the finishing. It looks and feels like a million bucks. Silver iced out dial was my choice but you can't go wrong with the blue or green either imo. Perfectly walks the line between dress and sports watch.
Tried one on at an AD. Wears better than PRX but not as well as even the Tudor Royal. Better the Baume et Mercier than the IWC Ingeneur though. They are essentially the same watch but one costs a ton more just cause it has IWC on the dial and was actually designed by Gerald Genta.
I think it’s a great watch, with lots of history
The Riviera looks fantastic 🔥
I almost thought that was one of the modern day Concord Mariner/Saratoga
I really like the Riviera it looks a stunning watch which I’d be very happy to own.
Perhaps as an alternative look at the Formex Essence.
Well made & finished , interesting dial, tool less micro adjustment on bracelet, COSC, very competitive price.
I really like the Riviera it looks a stunning watch which I’d be very happy to own.
Perhaps as an alternative look at the Formex Essence.
Well made & finished , interesting dial, tool less micro adjustment on bracelet, COSC, very competitive price.
Will take a look at formex since this might be the second time I’ve heard of it. In glance, it is very nice.
I'd consider Riviera with Baumatic movement only. It'll be objectively superior to the competition.
What an amazing dial. Loving this photo also. Great #baumeandmercier