Baume & Mercier

The company was founded in 1830 as 'Frères Baume' by brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume, who opened a watch dealership in Les Bois, a village in the Swiss Jura. The business expanded with a London branch in 1851 under 'Baume Brothers', growing throughout the British Empire. By the late 19th century, the firm had established an international reputation for accuracy. In 1918, company director William Baume partnered with Paul Mercier to establish 'Baume & Mercier' in Geneva, specializing in wristwatches with unconventional shapes. In 1919, the brand received the prestigious Geneva Seal. The company embraced women's emancipation during the Roaring Twenties and launched notable collections in the 1940s, including the sought-after 2 Register Chronograph. In 1973, Baume & Mercier introduced the Riviera, one of the world's first steel sports watches. The brand joined the Richemont group in 1988, where it remained until being acquired by Italy's Damiani Group.