Uhrenkosmos has already reported extensively on the new IWC replica watches Portofino with moon phase display in this article.
In the broadest sense, the Riviera Baumatic Moon Phase by Baume & Mercier and the Panerai Luminor Due Luna could be described as siblings. The trio, which appear very different, use the same basic caliber from Richemont’s ValFleurier movement. However, this is not noticeable from the outside. On the wrist, these wristwatches fully represent the DNA of the brands behind them. And this has a consistently traceable tradition everywhere.
Baume & Mercier Riviera Baumatic Moon Phase
Moon phase displays have a long tradition at Baume & Mercier. For example, a wristwatch with a simple full calendar and moon phase indication debuted in 1950. The gold case houses the fine hand-wound Valjoux 88 caliber. In the 1990s, there was the Riviera, launched in 1973, with a quartz movement, simple full calendar and moon window.
With a diameter of 42 millimeters, the new Riviera Baumatic Moon Phase, made entirely of steel, is primarily aimed at the man in the moon. The sporty wristwatch with its characteristic look is 14.4 millimeters high and can withstand the pressure of the wet element up to ten bar. This means that the expressive case is fully up to the demands of everyday life. The steel bezel is held in place by four screws. Sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating arches over the dial and hands. Three hands are responsible for indicating hours, minutes and seconds. A fourth rotates at “6” concentrically to the moon disk with 59 teeth. It represents the date and thus embodies a unique selling point in the circle of the apostrophized moon phase trio.
The automatic caliber Baumatic BM14-1975AC1 is visible on the back. The basis is the well-known Baumatic 13-1975, which is also described in detail in Uhrenkosmos. The front of this has the additional mechanism for displaying the phases of the moon and the date using hands. As usual, the 5.7 millimeter high movement ticks at four hertz for 120 hours at a time after being fully wound by the ball bearing rotor that works on both sides. There is also a balance stop for setting the time to the second.
Baume & Mercier currently offers two versions of this wristwatch. With a rubber strap and sand-colored dial, the reference M0A10681 can be worn for a suggested retail price of 5,050 euros. If you prefer a steel link bracelet, the reference M0A10682 is available for 5,200 euros. In this case, the dial is blue. Since Baume & Mercier uses the well-thought-out quick-change system of its sister company Cartier, two small movements are all it takes to change the strap. After registration, the guarantee is three years.