Dr No
[Moderator Omega - Wristscan]
37748
Before discovering . . .
. . . Glashütte Original and rekindling the fascination for Omega, Kong, I wore a Rolex, day in and day out, for fifteen years. Halfway thru that stint with the Airking, I came across an advertisement for a Baume and Mercier Hampton, and was intrigued to the point that I visited a jewelry store in San Gabriel to try it on. The Hampton was different in comparison to my daily wear: polished vs matte finish, rectangular vs round, small seconds vs sweep, elegant rather than rugged. I felt it would make a good companion for the Airking, and the salesman tried his best to make the sale, but $1100 was a lot of money then (hell, it's a lot of money now!), so I decided to pass.
I just performed a search for Hamptons from the mid-'90s, and found a few images of the watch that almost was. Funny how little has changed over the years: the outward form of the Hampton - rectangular shape, modest size and proportion, simple lay-out, art deco design - still motivates.
Reminiscently,
Art
Baume & Mercier - Hampton Collection 2011
15th August 2011 Baume & Mercier , was once a power-house with a watchmaking heritage longer than many current notable brands; how many watch brands have been trading for 180+ years? The company began when Louis-Joseph Baume started the first watchmaking ...
The Chrono is a variant of JLC's 75X...
as is evident by the 65 hour power reserve and dial layout. -Dean
I got my first and only B&M at the end of 2010
At the beginning of this year I got the info that is has been discontinued. Wondering why, since I think it’s a beautiful watch, I sent an email to Mr. Rudy Chavez, President of B&M North America, who was such a kind gentleman answering my questions. Afte...
I am very very impressed with the new collection...
Regardless of price, the new models are of very high quality - the cases, dialwork, straps are much better than average. Throw in the price points on most of the pieces, and whoa nelly, any looking for a nice gift for others or oneself really needs to tak...
ps: the Capeland chronograph ...
received more than its fair share of comments and compliments at the recent IGOTT2 in Las Vegas...and that was totally populated by hard core watch nut PuristS!
Ad campaign..
...does it have any resonance aside of the USA? Invoking The Great Gatsby as part of a campaign of 'relaxed elegance'....have they actually read the book? The Hearsts? The height of culture. This message has been edited by BDLJ on 2011-08-15 17:37:51
Ben, Ben, Ben...
Forget Gatsby and the Hearsts... Is there something about "Life is About Moments" that doesn't translate, in any language or culture? I'm not sure if the Hampton's geographical theme is global. I can understand it might not "resonate" outside the US, just...
:-)
I completely understand the family atmosphere and the seaside setting motif....which is exactly why the references to Gatsby and Hearst are so jarring. Bond st, Rodeo drive, Ginza have...transcended cultural limitations of their shopping strips? (Says me,...
Don't blame Baume & Mercier
BDLJ, Don't blame the ad campaign. It was me . I wrote the part about 'The Great Gatsby' and the Hearsts. It was not to link the nice adjectives in the ad campaign with the attributes of the fictional and real characters above. It was to remind the young ...
Well, those...
...posts certainly put my bias on display....I read it as a press release, should have looked harder instead of the zooming in... I get the B&M seaside 'profile'. But I guess my own seasideness is more playing with a sandy dog, fishing, swimming, shorts, ...
Another beach -- Another life
BDLJ, "playing with a sandy dog, fishing, swimming, shorts, bare-feet and cold beers".....if that is your 'Moment', good on you, mate! If after that dog has shaken his wet sand all over your beer and your 'significant other' presents you with a watch to r...
have to admit that the Hamptons also bring to mind the brand Polo....
and their watches...... J
what happened to the Two buttons
... it got intoduced earlier this year but so far i cant find it at stores .... any clue Thomas?! Thanks for sharing your beauty by the way. Faisal
Not sure which you are referring to? If you mean
the one like mine, I've heard they are very popular and sell out quickly when in stock. If you mean another model, do you remember the ref # or model family? Thanks for your kind words. TM
I've always found Baume & Mercier designs to be clean and elegant
And these new Hampton Collection 2011 watches are great examples of B&M's clean designs. Perfect for mass appeal too. Cheers, Anthony
I remember seeing the new Capeland Chrono during IGOTT2
I briefly handled it during the 3rd night dinner. Looks nice on the wrist even though it was a 44mm diameter watch. Regards, ED-209
There was a Capeland Chrono?
That's the problem with IGOTT. You spend 10 years on-line not getting to know people and then 10 hour days at IGOTT really not seeing everyone or their watches enough. I did not even know a new Capeland Chrono was present. Regards, MTF
I'm pretty sure there was
It was dark at the restaurant but was pretty sure that it was a B&M Capeland Chrono on the wrist of a fellow PuristS at IGOTT2. Regards, ED-209
The new Hampton collection is a wonderful update
still true to the heritage but just right for today. Still, I prefer round watches, and B&M knocked the update of the Capeland Chronograph that TM mentions above out of the park. Bill
Think need to get use to ..
the shape. Likewise I still prefer round watches. Thanks. Kong
It is ...
also value for money. See if can grab some pics especially the emblematic collection. Wish the Capeland 10006 and 10007 ( the piece Thomas wearing) with the date window. Just perfect. Kong
Elegant watches - I particulary like the 'throw back' design
with the case and the crystal. Not only does this give a wistful nod to the designs of yesteryear, but likewise, gives the impression that this is a design for the ages; a design that will look good today, tomorrow, as it looked good back in the day when ...
You have summarised so well ...
Succinctly worded. it seems to be the main objective of Baume & Mercier to design watches which remain classic & timeless. Thanks Andrew H. Kong
Moments
I like the curved crystals and the case design of the men’s Emblematic line and the complimentary ladies watches. Plenty of options to chose a husband and wife pair. Or even wedding gifts for each other. Now that’s a moment to remember. I agree that the a...
Thanks Andrew..
You are good! It took me a while and an explanation by the local executive to understand the campaign. I am looking forward to see and touch the Emblematic pieces. Kong
Thanks for the write-up, Kong!
I don't care for these particular pieces featured, but I do like the vintage-inspired Capeland Chronograph. The chronograph hits a lot of sweet spots for me. Cheers, Daos
The Capeland Chrono...
really nice. Without the date window even better. Like this Kong...
aesthetically they are nice watches but movement wise nothing special
Aside the chrono with the derivative of the jlc 752, the rest of the watches despite being aesthetically nice is fitted with just others mill of the run eta 2892-2894-2895 found everywhere and that for 4000$ of rrp, it is nothing special. I would rather b...
Thanks for the view ...
For the price bracket you are referring, there are some gems in the vintage pieces. However, it will need certain due diligence and sharp observation, not to get a franken vintage piece. I feel some of the B&M pieces are great pieces for new friends e...
My first "expensive" watch was B&M Riviera...
I have been kinda waiting for its come back Very nice new line-up....
My first "expensive" watch was also a B&M
A Malibu. Very elegant watch, but it was a quartz, and I really wanted a mechanical movement....
KIH, thought you are the kind who ...
more likely getting a sporty Riviera. The casing with the soldered horns and the full calender, really nice. Thanks for sharing. Kong
That was circa 91 and I was young...
.... wanting a dress watch as a "future young executive" Oh well, the life doesn't go as planned, does it? Hehehe. Ken
Hope you still have it....
Hi Ken This line is discontinued. About the part life doesn't go as planned...dare not think about it...can't sleep Kong
Thanks Kong. That's a great heart tugging campaign
s logan and I'm glad that they are backing it up with the refreshed models. Completely resonates with me In the Summer and in the Winter Somehow we're always near the sea. Now to look for the nearest boutique to check the watches out in the metal. Best, M...
These are nice pics!
Thank you Mike. Children have grown so fast! The family (below) for the B&M commercial pictures is the real family. Maybe they should look for yours Kong...
Before discovering . . .
. . . Glashütte Original and rekindling the fascination for Omega, Kong, I wore a Rolex, day in and day out, for fifteen years. Halfway thru that stint with the Airking, I came across an advertisement for a Baume and Mercier Hampton, and was intrigued to ...
After seeing ...
Hi Art After the seeing the new Hampton, the vintage piece (from pic) looks really charming, 'more' Art Deco'. Hope the new collection would motivate you Kong