Given the popularity of steel watches with integrated bracelets and angled bezels in today’s market, it was only a matter of time before Baume & Mercier dug into its archives to revive the brand’s take on the sports watch de luxe from the 1970s. The modern Riviera made its comeback in 2021 in its fifth-generation form and Baume & Mercier has continued to expand the collection since. A case in point is the women’s Riviera with a satin gold dial and automatic movement that Baume & Mercier has just announced as part of its Watches & Wonders 2023 new releases. The Riviera is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, so there are plenty of new models to mark the occasion; however, according to the brand, this Riviera M0A10730 is the “new leading model of the collection.”
The Riviera M0A10730 features a 33mm stainless steel case, and identical to other models in the collection, its case and bezel are dodecagonal or 12-sided. 33mm is a great size for those who appreciate a petite watch, and don’t want to pretend that they enjoy wearing watches that are too big and bulky for the sake of a cool design. Set into the polished and satin-finished steel bezel are four brilliant-cut Top Wesselton, VS quality, diamonds, which add a touch of sparkle to the otherwise utilitarian surface. Another notable design detail is the 5N gilded PVD steel ring that peeks out from the middle of the case and casts a subtle golden frame around the bezel.
The same 5N gilded detailing can be found on the dial, from the faceted hour and minute hands to the sweep seconds hand to the hour markers. The hands and indexes are coated in blue-glowing Superluminova and there’s a framed date window at 3 o’clock. The dial of the Riviera M0A10730 features the same wave pattern found on several other watches in the collection, but the warm sun-satin gold color is new and complements the hands and indices nicely. Both sides of the case are fitted with anti-glare scratch-resistant sapphire crystals.
The integrated steel bracelet of the new 2023 Riviera M0A10730 includes three rows of polished and satin-brushed links, which is furnished with a triple folding clasp with security push-pieces and an easy adjustment system. The bracelet is interchangeable and doesn’t require any tools to switch out the straps. I could imagine this looking great on a taupe or white rubber strap in the summer.
The back of the Riviera M0A1073 watch offers a view of the automatic Sellita caliber SW200 movement, offering a 38-hour power reserve and operating at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour. The caseback follows the same silhouette as the 12-sided bezel, and according to Baume & Mercier, owners can add a personalized engraving. Both the movement rotor and the octagonal winding crown are decorated with the company’s signature Greek letter Phi symbol and the watch is water resistant to 50 meters.
It’s not a shocking revelation to say that women’s watches are largely overlooked in the watch space–by both manufacturers and media. So it’s always worth highlighting the brands that offer women’s watches that are sporty, steel, and self-winding. These are familiar features in men’s watches, but sadly, not prevalent enough in women’s watches…yet. Sure, watches are unisex and anyone can wear pieces from both sides of the catalog but like a white button-up shirt, it just hits differently when a watch is designed with a woman in mind. The Baume & Mercier Riviera M0A10730 will be available from April 2023. The brand was unable to provide pricing information ahead of press time. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.