Intimate harmony
At the end of Highway 27 on Long Island lies a calm world where elegance is expressed in tiny pointillist strokes, like the neo-impressionist paintings of the first artists who settled in the Hamptons. Dandies in linen suits and young ladies in hats would sharpen their tastes by going from one studio to the next, ending up on the beach with a great vintage brought from Old Europe.

These days, Hamptonites get together for private viewings or horse shows, with savoir-vivre as their only watchword, a relaxed way of living out one’s style, unostentatiously yet self-assertively.

The Hampton collection fully captures the spirit of this magical place – as well as the heritage of Baume & Mercier. In fact, it was a museum piece from the 1940s that served as the basis for the interpretation that gives the 2011 Hampton watches their very distinctive character.

The assurance of the original Art-Deco inspired timepiece remains, captured in a satined domed volume at 12 and 6 o’clock, a generously enhanced curved sapphire crystal, and a curved case side at 3 and 9 o’clock. Assertively modern accents, such as the refined sword hands, have been added to the Hampton collection to place them in a context of modern elegance. Both the ladies’ Hampton line and the men’s are the very picture of elegance.

Ladies’ Hampton
The ladies’ pieces, generously sized (27 x 40 mm), have kept the highly distinctive satined domed volume and curved case side of the museum watch. On the Core Collection models, the wristband is made of alligator or satin-finished polished steel, with the polished finish extending from the case to the outer links in a sophisticated touch. Another signature feature of the collection is the “jodhpur” shape of the wristband, which makes it lighter and more comfortable on the wrist. The strap is offered in satin or alligator. Also noteworthy is the perfect integration between the case and the bracelet which extends the piece’s fluid lines.

The high-end models are adorned with two types of settings. In the first, 20 diamonds (total 0.73 carats) are set in the curved case side of a version with a silvered dial featuring a sunburst satin finish on the outer part and opaline finishes in the center, or an equally chic two-toned dial in black and anthracite. The second type of setting has a double row of diamonds on the satined domed volume at 12 and 6 o’clock; these 36 diamonds (0.48 carats) accentuate the piece’s natural sophistication.

Finally, the collection’s emblematic ladies piece has a fully-set case – lugs, satined domed volume and curved case side – that beautifully enhances the silvered dial and harmonizes with the purity of the white alligator strap. It is the highlight of the Hampton ladies’ collection, and it consists of 80 diamonds for a total of 1.78 carats. The case back is decorated with a “Sundeck décor” designed by Baume & Mercier to allow for the watch to be personalized with a word or message of affection.

Men’s Hampton
The men’s pieces exist in a self-winding version with a small seconds hand at 6 o’clock, a size of 32 x 45 mm and an ETA 2895 movement; or an automatic chronograph version with counters sporting just a touch of red to dress up the dial, a size of 30 x 47 mm, and an ETA 2894 movement.

The dial palette for the automatic and automatic chronograph versions, always two-tone, was selected for its warm masculine hues, such as the combination of black and brown, or black and anthracite. It is offset by a satined domed volume that lends force and character to the piece. A straight alligator strap with an adjustable triple folding clasp adds the finishing touch to this timepiece.

While the case middle’s sides are straight in the Core Collection, the two emblematic pieces most resemble the piece that inspired them, with their highly stylized evocation of its Art Deco lines. It is pleasing to rediscover the famous curved case side, but on a larger case suitable for men who know their worth. The emblematic pieces are available in a steel automatic chronograph version (34 x 47 mm) with a manufacture movement, a power reserve of 65 hours and an open case back that reveals the oscillating weight personalized with the phi symbol. The red gold version offers a manual manufacture movement having a 42-hour power reserve and a superb oval open case back.

Unlike the Core Collection watches, which feature riveted Arabic numerals, the emblematic pieces remain true to Roman numerals, with the intent of perpetuating the historic model.
Daring to revisit the striking characteristics of the museum piece, taking the interpretation exercise as far as it will go by enhancing the original esthetic while giving it impressive modern proportions—such is the challenge of the Hampton collection, the Swiss Maison d’Horlogerie has met expertly. A shaped watch is never conventional or “safe.”

And that is all the truer when it is the Hampton from Baume & Mercier.