Baume & Mercier added a GMT to the Riviera

From JustLuxe content partner iW Magazine

With full throttle releases of new Riviera designs over the past few years, Baume & Mercier continues in 2023 to update one of its most beloved designs.

One of two new Baume and Mercier Riviera GMT models

While the most recent Riviera update only included handsome time, moon phase, and skeleton models, this new GMT version made my head spin the fastest. Granted, the steel and titanium design comes second, but the new 42mm steel Riviera GMT model, offered in two color options, tops my list.

With its twelve-sided bezel and four screws, the Rivera has managed to retain its casual elegance since its 1973 debut. When Baume & Mercier introduced a fifth-generation Riviera collection in 2021, I was impressed.

But the new GMT supports the Riviera’s absolute invitation to travel (yes, to the French Riviera) with a true dual-time function. Its central fourth hand rotates around the dial every 24 hours to indicate the time of travel to the destination on the peripheral hour scale.

The newly designed GMT hand is red like its namesake’s beach sunburn, and on both dials, the second time zone is always highly visible. But that’s especially true of the silver-dial version, which features the 24-hour markers in red.

As mentioned, the two new Riviera GMT watches are available in two versions: one with a blue dial and a blue rubber strap, and one with a silver dial and a steel bracelet. Both offer wave dial decoration under a sapphire crystal with a tone-on-tone sun-satin finish and anti-glare coating on both sides. Here the GMT movement is powered by an ETA-based caliber.

The watch’s octagonal crown of course displays the Baume & Mercier fee logo engraved in relief with a red line. Baume & Mercier’s own “Fast Strap” interchangeability system makes this a simple task from a strap style without the need for any other tools.

Price: $3,200 (silver dial and steel bracelet) and $3,100 (blue dial with blue rubber strap).