Review - Riviera 10616

This is the 1st time I am writing a review, so bear with me. I am learning. It is more like a 1st impressions. I was lucky enough to borrow this from a friend for a few weeks, to take some photos and get a feel for it.

I have been looking at some Baume&Mercier watches when visiting different ADs. However, I never really fell for any of them. I still don`t think I have fallen for it. However, it has nothing to with the quality, the feel, the movement. Nothing. Because they have in my opinion made a great watch.

This watch has a 42mm steel case with a nice finish. It is finished with a mix of brushed surfaces with polished edges. The bezel and case-back is fastened with screws. Giving the watch a 100m water resistance. The crown is perfectly sized imo, not too small, not too big. It has a octagonal shape with the Baume&Mercier logo on it. The lug-lug I measured to 50mm. Thickness of 11mm.

The case-back is open, allowing you to look at the movement. It shows off the in-house automatic Baumatic BM13-1975A movement. A 120h power reserve movement. COSC certified, to -4/+6 seconds a day. It is a 4Hz movement with a silicon hairspring. The movement finish is great as well. With perlage on the brigdes and Geneva stripes on the rotor.

The bracelet is very comfortable with a good butterfly-style clasp with the B&M logo on it. The bracelet has a great finish, with a gently brushed finish and edges that catch the light in a beautiful way. The straps also have the same style of clasp, which is brushed.

The dial however is where the party is at. It is partly see-through. In press-photos it always looked like it was a bit too see-through, making it look gimmicky. However, it is only in the right light the dial is truly see-through. In regular light, it is only slight. Making the movement partly visible, making it kind of intriguing. It has a date-window at 3 o`clock, colour matched. The hands are kind of a dauphine style(correct me if you know the correct terminology), steel. The indices at 12 and 6 are roman numerals, while the rest are simple stick (or baton?) indices. Both the hands and indices are generously lumed.

It has a very nice look, a great sports-styled watch, the bezel has a dodecagon shape, with 12 edges. It has a a beautiful dial. Not to mention a quick-release strap, a very comfortable bracelet with a unique quick-release system. The style of the watch makes it universal, add the fact that you can change the strap or bracelet in seconds and you have a truly universal wriswatch. It is made by a brand that has a lot of heritage. With a history dating back to 1830. To me, I think it is because it feels kind of sterile to me. It just doesn`t have that X-factor that makes me fall in love with it. I can`t explain it. That doesn`t mean it isn`t a great watch. I could recommend this to just about anyone looking a day to day watch for almost any occasion. It is just not the watch for me.

This was my 1st review, I appreaciate any feedback. I will work on improving and getting better at identifying what i like or don`t like about a watch. If you want to see more photos of this and other watches, I have an Instagram account: Klokketimen you can check out if you want to. I will also post some more photos here of course.

I love this site, I have been passive until now. But I felt it was time to become a bit more active.