Is Baume et Mercier under-rated?

I agree!  I went to an upscale AD and saw a Baume & Mercier watch I liked and the dealer steered me away from it.  I was basically told that B&M started selling their watches through lower end stores which lowered their reputation. 

If that is the case, it’s a real shame!

It also shows what I would describe is a flaw in horology. People buy based on price and status symbol over anything else.

The Capeland XXL is still one of "the ones that got away" for me.

No time like the present!

Nah, I'm priced out of their market.  An AD offered me one for $850 or so around 2004 (when they couldn't get rid of them).  I'm not in at $2k+.

B&M deserves a better reputation then they have, but mostly, their watch designs are kind of ho-hum.

All valid points. I think the recent venture into the Baume line for entry level is Richemont positioning B&M intentionally.  I think they make fine watches and I wouldn’t mind having one in the future if the right design comes along. 

I think they make great watches considering the prices at which you can buy them. You just need to see if you like any of their designs and if they fit you well. I bought my wife a Hampton quartz model that she loves. However, I did not like the Hampton men’a automatic when I saw it in person. 
 

Like MegaBob, I also didn’t like the white dial Baumatic I tried on. However, I think it could work for some people. 
 

B&M seems better than most Seikos I have seen. It’s also definitely a brand step up over most watches you find in a mall (Bulova, etc) but it is Richemont Group’s lowest tier brand so it is still not really what most would consider a luxury watch. I think market position is it’s main problem. They are in an odd spot between affordable and luxury. I think some people who want to upgrade over an affordable watch skip right over them into a brand like Tudor or maybe IWC. Alternatively, they may go for a strong competitor like Longines. 

I'm a bit of a movement snob, so Tudor's in-house movements probably win...but I need to look at B&M more as they may also be good. 

I'm a fan of the Riviera, for sure...

I, for one am glad I'm one of the very few that really like B&M and hope they slip under the radar even more so their price drops even more so I can score a Clifton Baumatic at a very discounted price.  Funny and grateful that 90% of watch enthusiasts here and the other big forum finds B&M boring and meh, while going ape-***t over Tudors.  I'm the inverse: I see Tudor as any other dive watch with 98% of big bro Rollie's look that can be had at Invicta level. All dive style watches look 97% same to me.  But I love B&M's offerings. So you all can fight for the breast, I'm happy to have the chicken leg and thigh meat all to myself. 

I suppose design is opinion/taste based and what is disliked by some may be loved by others i guess

I also think that is clever positioning, unless people can't differentiate Baume from B&M branding and it brings the reputation down further..

Whereas i would consider it a luxury watch, the fit, finish, overall quality and accuracy are much much higher than my Raymond Weil and Longines.
I find it curious you stated B&M is Richmont groups lowest so is not dubbed as luxury, yet Tudor is Rolex groups lowest without that association? Is it the pricing?

I would argue IWC is a much better proposition than any modern Tudor (It's also from a company that seems to care about it's customers)

Take a look at their in-house Baumatic movement, from what i have read/heard its a real peach

I am wholeheartedly on the same page as you, i wouldn't own a Tudor. Its Rolex group making a hommage for one if its own watches and still charging more than its worth (And that's if they even care about trying to supply you with one with their awful service)

Rolex may have a huge part in horology, but who thinks they provide a good customer experience/service? who thinks they are valued correctly? - In my opinion they overprice and rely on themselves being a household name to non-horologically interested punters to 'flash the cash'

Say what you want about Tudor, but they sell. I think Tudor probably sold way more BB58 models than B&M sold Riviera models. I’d love to see the numbers. 

It would probably be a good idea for a separate thread to debate where luxury starts. In addition, there are definitely niches even within luxury. IWC and Patek are both luxury in my book for example but are clearly at different levels of luxury. I think of some brands as premium but just below luxury. 

I do think B&M hurt its brand when they released the Baume line of watches. Those are pure garbage.

B&M made a good move releasing the new baumatic movement. They have a great history but the brand took a nose dive in terms of reputation and it can take time to get that back.  They are also in a tough market segment of watches around $1-$3k. A lot of competition.  I still believe some people skip over B&M for other brands. For instance, someone thinking about the Hampton might go instead with the Cartier Tank for a bit more or go with a competitor watch like Longines Dolce Vita. 

I was bored senseless looking at their site 🥱 

You are correct, they do sell. I would assume Tudor sell way more BB58 than B&M sell Riviera by a good margin.

Is it the price that differentiates the different levels of luxury though? I would personally choose a Grand Seiko over a Rolex, yet the Rolex may be of higher price, does that make it superior? I would vouch not.

I do think that B&M need to be a bit more strategic with their marketing and maybe a little less conservative with their designs however.

I have two B&M's in my collection - the Capeland and Riviera - both excellent watches.  I've had the Riviera for over 20 years and just had it serviced for the first time last Fall.  Love the design and they keep great time.  The only complaint I have is how poorly they maintain value - but they can be purchased as a reasonable price.

Yeah, that's a fair criticism. They need a better and more consistent design language, and some marketing to promote it.