Baume and Mercier Watches

The history of Baume and Mercier dates back to the 16th Century, when a family of watchmakers (the Baume’s) settled in the Swiss Jura mountains. However, it would take three centuries and several generations of passing the knowledge of watch-making down the Baume clan, that Baume finally became a business, in the sense that it is today. It was brothers Louis Victor and Pierre-Joseph-Celestin Baume that would found the company, in the Les Bois village that their ancestors (and bearers of knowledge) had settled in.

Seventeen years after the brothers had initially set up business, they decided to move their base to London and in 1851, “Baume Brothers” was borne.

The name as it is known today didn’t come into use until ninety years after the companies initially foundations. In 1920, Baume ancestor William, and Paul Mercier worked together to created “Baume & Mercier”. Within a year, Baume and Mercier were attributed by the Geneva Watch making committee.

In 1993, the company became a part of the Richemont Group.

The brand has always attempted (and very often succeeded) at being highly fashionable, and over the past few years, have been promoted by some of Hollywood’s most coveted actors and actresses, from Meg Ryan and Keifer Sutherland in 2006, to Kim Basinger and Gary Sinise in 2007, and Teri Hatcher and Ashton Kutcher in 2008. All royalties from each of these publicity campaigns has been donated to various charities chosen by the stars and Baume and Mercier. Evangeline Lilly and David Duchovny are the latest stars to feature in advertising campaigns.