Hands On with the Classima Ref.10269 model out of the 186 year old Swiss brand Baume et Mercier’s current catalogue
It is an undeniable truth that the world of watches is dominated by men. When it comes to the horological timepieces, men own the topic as well as they are naturally interested in almost every kind of mechanics. However, it is quite easy to see the happenings and development in women’s collections by various brands in the last decade.
This development and progress can also be monitored by the user demographics of the related media. We are surprised in great happiness for witnessing the growing number of women Horobox followers.
When we take a look at the last ten years, we see that the ladies watches with small diameters, quartz movements and cases built by precious metals or decorated by diamonds left their place to contemporary timepieces with bold designs, mechanical calibers and numerous features.
Baume et Mercier is a pioneering brand in terms of analyzing this new trend and adopting it promptly thanks to its great experience and know-how. The brand offers a wide selection of fine ladies’ timepieces for every taste.
Baume et Mercier Classima Collection
Appreciated for their elegant lines and their balanced proportions, Classima Collection offers stunning ladies’ models. These watches are perfect for daily wear. Depending on the model, the 31 and 36.5 mm diameter comes in polished steel, adorned with a diamond-set bezel, or in an 18K red gold capped steel version on the two-tone model. Their mother-of- pearl or white dials, graced with Roman numerals and a sun guilloché decor, admirably round out the feminine range.
Baume et Mercier Classima Ref. 10269
The model we have here comes in a 31,5mm diameter case built in mirror polished stainless steel. This version is the “two-tone” one as the watch employs 18K rose gold capped parts. Let me say a few words about the term gold capped. Unlike the other methods PVD and DLC, gold capped is a plating process featuring a thin layer of gold sheet pressed on to the non-gold ( stainless steel in most cases ) base metal. Considered as the most durable technique of gold plating, it is also the most expensive one depending on the usage of gold.
The front face sports a scratch proof sapphire crystal. The simple but useful dial is finished in white color with sunray pattern on the center ring. The hands set and the Roman numeral indices are finished in rose gold tone in order to match with the two-tone appearance of the timepiece. The date display is located at 3 o’clock side.
The winding crown is made of stainless steel with a combination of mirror polished and satin brushed treatments. The large diameter of the crown provides a good grip without compromising the overall elegance of the watch.
The caseback is also made of stainless steel but the it also features the transparent sapphire crystal display to see the movement. An un-common feature for ladies watches. The limited edition info is engraved at the stainless steel caseback ring.
Undoubtedly, the most striking feature of the watch is its automatic winding movement. Baume et Mercier thought about the women customers with a good taste of fine traditional watchmaking and put a mechanical caliber inside the Classima Ref. 10269.
21 jewelled movement beats at 28800vph and offers 42h power reserve when fully wound. As expected from the price range, the movement does not feature any more decoration the than the Baume et Mercier signed oscillating rotor.
The metal bracelet is finished in full mirror polished form like the case. The two center link rows are 18K gold capped to match with the details on the case and dial. The push release clasp and the links which are close to the clasp are not gold capped ( possibly due to those parts prone-to-scratching location ).
We liked the Baume et Mercier Classima Ref. 10269 a lot especially with its automatic winding movement and 18K rose gold accents. We strongly suggest this versatile timepiece as a perfect daily wearer for every occasion with any outfit.
