Baume & Mercier launched the Business Class range of watches, of which the extensive Classima Collection is a part, in 2006. Now they’ve just released a new addition. It features the same dial layout: a jumping hour display at 12 o’clock, an off-centred minute hand display, and a small second display at 6 o’clock.
The Business Class range has shared characteristics: guilloche dials and windows over the balance wheel, power reserves, open sapphire crystal backs, many functions and decorations for watch-making connoisseurs. The Classima Automatic Jumping Hour is actually a less costly version of the William Baume Jumping Hour made in Rose Gold.
Beneath the sapphire crystal of the Classima Automatic Jumping Hour, the silver-coloured dial is decorated with a lovely bit of ‘grain d’orge’ guilloche – that’s the textured surface you see on the dial. There are gilt hands, hour markers, and the gilt hour aperture border to add subtle highlights. A black alligator strap and triple folding buckle complete what is undoubtedly an attractive package. The stainless steel case has been slightly increased in diameter from 41 to 42mm.
The watch is powered by an ETA 2892-A2-based Dubois Depraz 14400 automatic movement, on the back, the open-worked oscillating weight is finished with Côtes de Genève and the brand’s trademark Phi symbol.
Each watch will be numbered in a limited edition series of just 500 units and will retail at around US$5,230.
Baume & Mercier Classima Automatic Jumping Hour Limited Edition watch specifications
- Movement: Automatic, Dubois Depraz 14400, based on ETA 2892-A2
- Functions: Jumping Hour, minutes, seconds
- Power reserve: N/A
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Bezel material: Stainless steel
- Case shape: Round
- Bezel shape: Round
- Case size: 42mm
- Dial: Silver
- Numerals: Arabic
- Hands: Steel, gold-plated
- Water resistance: 50m
- Strap: Leather
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Case back: Sapphire
