Travel has always been at the heart of the Frères Baume timepiece concept, founded 183 years ago by Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume.
The Baume Brothers expanded their business to the entire British Empire, opening a subsidiary in Philadelphia in 1876 and creating a vast sales network stretching from India to Africa, including Australia and New Zealand, Singapore and Burma.
Now Baume & Mercier presents the Capeland Worldtimer. With 24 cities chosen to represent the times zones of the world, thanks to the exquisite complication within the watch, it’s possible to know the time in Beijing, at home, or upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro all with just a glance.
The signature pebble-shaped 44mm watch is available in 18K red gold or polished satin-brushed steel with a restrained but easy-to-read dial in ashen gray or off-white, with a subtle tone-on-tone refinement.
The self-winding mechanical movement can be seen through its sapphire case back. It is surprisingly easy to use.
To display the local time, just select the name of the city corresponding to the time zone where you are, and turn the 24- hour ring until the digit representing the current time is facing it. With the crown in the chosen position, simply adjust the hands. Once these quick adjustments are made and the crown is in place, it’s easy to see what time it is all over the world with the Capeland Worldtimer.
The concept of splicing the world into twenty-four time zones, each covering 15° of longitude, was ratified during the Washington conference of 1884. With the expansion of such rapid means of transport as train travel in the second half of the 19th century, the concept had become a necessity.
Today, the vast majority of the world’s countries have adopted this method, facilitating commercial exchanges through the decades. However, because of national borders time zones have taken on an irregular appearance on the map.
The Capeland Worldtimer’s universally recognised world capitals helps you quickly to find the correct time wherever in the world you may be.
