Baume & Mercier :: Manufacturers :: Essence of Time, Inc.

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Essence of Time, Inc. :: Manufacturers :: Baume & Mercier

Founder: In 1542, the Baume family settled in the Switzerland Jura Mountains and handed down their knowledge from generation to generation. In 1830, the brothers Louis Victor and Pierre-Joseph Célestin Baume founded the company and created one and only one motto: “Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality.”

Country: Switzerland

History: The company started out slow and only created watches with escapement wheels. In order to boost business Pierre-Joseph Célestin Baume moved the company to London and in 1851 created the company name Baume Brothers. In 1880, Alcide Eugène Baume took over the company in Switzerland and Arthur Joseph Baume took over the London based company. The company was awarded numerous record setting awards including a 91.9 rating on a watch out of a 100 (this was the highest rating during the era and was only bettered 10 years later.) In 1912, Paul Mercier, the son of a tsarist officer joined the company and 8 years later the company Baume & Mercier was founded. In less than a year, Baume & Mercier acheived the Poinçon de Genève Award. This was the highest award a watchmaker can receive. This award was given to flawless design and literally perfect timepieces. Baume & Mercier continued in manufacturing elegant, innovative and brilliant timepieces and in 1964 adopted the Phi (ȹ) symbol on all of its watches. In 1971, the first Tronosonic watch was created and just two years later the popular Riviera collection was created. The company now focuses on classy mens watches, elegant womens watches, and of course excellence in every aspect of watchmaking.

Ambassador: Andy Garcia, David Duchovny

Timeline & Accomplishments:

• 1830 → Company was founded by the Baume brothers

• 1913 → Awarded the Poincon de Geneve Award, the highest of all awards given to watchmakers who create excellent and nearly flawless timepieces

• 1971 → Created the first Tronosonic watch.

• 1973 → Awarded the Golden Rose award for its amazing stardust model