Why Baume & Mercier’s My Classima collection makes a great haute horlogerie kickstarter

Call it coming of age or a rite of initiation, but your first haute horlogerie timepiece is a hefty purchase that marks a milestone — one that sees you graduating from kiddy wheels to the big leagues. And certainly nothing less than a great classic will do: Think sleek features, steel casing, Swiss-made and strategically priced. Fitting this bill is Baume & Mercier with My Classima, a collection inspired from an archived '40s watch that ropes the above-mentioned four S's into a brand signature renowned for its luxe aesthetic tagged with an impressive bank mileage.

Debuted at SIHH 2017, the new Classima lineup is richly immersed in the maison's heritage, featuring spherical perfection flaunting Roman numerals, a date window at 3 o'clock and an ergonomically designed steel case that sits snugly on the wrist. Themed in a neutral colour palette, the collection chalks up gender fluidity as another winning factor, with six models ranging from diametres of 31mm, 36.5mm and 40mm, and dials of either white matte or satin sunburst blue. Clean and minimalistic, My Classima also comes with options in polished steel bracelet or dressy leather straps for that stylish touch to accompany its versatility. Fabricated under a strict eye, the gravitas of each timepiece is further boosted with Baume & Mercier's cutting-edge watchmaking know-how to guarantee a reliable and precise Swiss quartz movement.

And just when you think the Classima has checked all the right boxes, the maison introduces another unique element where its closed caseback, deliberately designed to be just so, lets you engrave a message, a date or initials to commemorate the occasion of owning your first haute horlogerie watch. Or any other momentous event you wish to mark with a new (and well-deserved) timepiece — for yours truly or a loved one. Talk about accessible luxury that genuinely punches above its weight.

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The Baumer & Mercier My Classima collection is available at authorised retailers.