My first “luxury” timepiece
After months of research and visiting just about every watch shop in my vicinity, I finally settled on my first “proper” timepiece - the Baume & Mercier Riviera Azure 300 (10717).
I lead a fairly active lifestyle and hit the ocean quite abit, so I wanted something rugged enough to withstand the daily rigours without worry, yet dressy enough to wear out for a nice dinner. The “one” watch if you will.
I looked at Black Bays, Seamasters, Hydroconquests, GS, Mido, Orient, YEMA, Sinn, B&R, Norqain - you name it! Just about every diver within a price range of anywhere between 3 to 8 grand.
I was invested in finding THE watch, and each time I thought I found “the one” after trawling endless watch reviews on YouTube and the usual written articles from trusted websites, I’d be disappointed seeing them in person or not quite fully enamoured enough to pull the trigger.
Somehow, I chanced upon the Riviera - was it an ad on instagram or a YouTube short? I can’t remember, but when I looked it up, I was sold. It hit all that I was looking for, exceeded even!
Power reserve - 120 hours (5 days!!)
Water resistance - 300m (I wanted at least 200m)
Movement - Baumatic (in-house, COSC)
Thickness - 11.97mm (most divers are close to 14mm)
Diameter - 42mm
Exhibition Caseback - Yes
Warranty - 8 years (wow)
*Bracelet is also quick detachable and tapers very elegantly to a butterfly clasp
I drove down to my nearest AD to see it in person, and it got me. Right away, when I laid eyes on it, I knew it was the one. I got a decent discount from my AD, which brought the price down from $4350 USD to mid $3s. I cannot stress how I would have paid up to 5 grand for this watch.
The finishing may not be as polished as a Seamaster or have Master Chronometer certification (which is rare at this price point anyway), but its relatively affordable retail price, unique 12 sided bezel, a beautiful sapphire glass semi see-through dial and crazy good specifications, it’s definitely worth a heck of a lot more than whatever I paid for it! Even if I paid full retail price, I’d have absolutely no regrets.
Needless to say, the rich heritage of Baume & Mercier have played a part in influencing my decision - my only question is, why is this brand so stealth?? It’s the 6th oldest watch brand or so, amazing pricing, amazing quality, what am I missing that’s making it so overlooked?
Big dreams, small budget.
Romans on a diver? Very cool indeed. Love the dial!
Dunno why they fly under the radar.🤔
Off to eBay to look at some B&M. 😍👍🏻👍🏻
🔥
Romans on a diver? Very cool indeed. Love the dial!
Dunno why they fly under the radar.🤔
Off to eBay to look at some B&M. 😍👍🏻👍🏻
The indices are so aesthetic, notice how the VI is upside down as well - I don’t know why they did this but I’m digging it! I do have to say the lume is very poor however. I should add a lume shot in with a Seiko diver for comparison! I hope you become as curious about B&M as I am at the moment haha
Lume shot comparison between a Seiko SRPD11 “Turtle” and the Riviera. Elegant indices make for poor legibility in the dark. But dang, is it still a gorgeous watch.
Excellent choice!
Lume shot comparison between a Seiko SRPD11 “Turtle” and the Riviera. Elegant indices make for poor legibility in the dark. But dang, is it still a gorgeous watch.
To be fair my SM300's lume is shite compared to my Seiko divers 😱😂
Lume shot comparison between a Seiko SRPD11 “Turtle” and the Riviera. Elegant indices make for poor legibility in the dark. But dang, is it still a gorgeous watch.
What do they feed the lume cows in Japan?
Congrats on the new watch.
Congratulations on a beautiful watch!
Congrats mate! I own an old Riviera (over twenty years old) that my wife gave me as birthday present and it's been great, solid, reliable piece.
Awesome ! Here's my Clifton Baumatic... it's soooooooo accurate...
Awesome ! Here's my Clifton Baumatic... it's soooooooo accurate...
Classy classy watch, I’m looking at a Clifton too, but I’m thinking maybe I should tackle a different brand for my next watch 😅
B&M is a brand on my radar as of recently that's for sure, the Riviera is too cool. I don't know how they engineer 120 hours out of a couple of gears to be honest, blows my mind
B&M is a brand on my radar as of recently that's for sure, the Riviera is too cool. I don't know how they engineer 120 hours out of a couple of gears to be honest, blows my mind
Big spring :)
Congratulations! What you can say about this 5 days caliber? How many seconds per day it goes?
Congratulations! What you can say about this 5 days caliber? How many seconds per day it goes?
It’s their Baumatic movement which is COSC certified, so it should fall within the -4/+6 range.. I haven’t got one of those watch accuracy testing gizmos, but as of writing this, it’s now 2 seconds quicker then the day I bought it