Hands-on review of the Baume & Mercier Riviera Squelette 10721, a model which impresses with its bold design and skeleton black dial. Price: €4,650
Since relaunching it in 2021, Baume & Mercier has enriched the Riviera collection with more than 60 references for men and women. A new model launched in 2024 that impressed us with its bold appearance is the Riviera Squelette 10721.
We recently had the opportunity to spend a few days with this model and are now delighted to share our live pictures and impressions with our readers.
The Riviera Squelette comes in a beautifully proportioned 42 mm x 11.1 mm stainless steel case with a dodecagonal – twelve-sided – bezel that is inspired by the original Riviera from 1973.
This signature element, defining the aesthetic of the model, is fastened by four screws in sandblasted ADLC-coated steel.
The alternating brushed and polished finishes emphasize the case’s dynamic design, while the anodized aluminum bezel ring seamlessly connects the bezel and caseband, enhancing the watch’s sporty appeal. This detail aligns with the Riviera collection’s signature balance of casual elegance.
The octagonal crown is engraved with the Greek letter Phi, symbol of the golden ratio or divine proportion and the brand's logo. Even without a screwed crown, water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 10 bar (approximately 100 metres / 330 feet).
Protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-glare coating on both sides, the faceted black dial is openworked to reveal geartrains and cogwheels, with vertical brushed finishes to enhance the architectural structure.
We loved how the dial's surface transforms dramatically depending on the angle of the light.
The faceted, openworked oxidized hands, indicating hours and minutes, are coated at their ends with white Grade X1 Super-LumiNova glowing blue in darker environments.
The large balance wheel at 6 o’clock takes centre stage, offering a mesmerising view of its rhythmic oscillations and showcasing one of the key mechanical elements that ensures precise timekeeping.
At 12 o’clock, the mainspring barrel can be seen winding and unwinding, even while wearing the watch on your wrist.
The caseback, also twelve-sided and fastened with four screws, is protected by a sapphire crystal and can be optionally engraved.
Designed exclusively for Baume & Mercier by Manufacture AMT, a division of Sellita specialising in high-end and bespoke movements, the self-winding calibre AMT2500 features an openworked black oscillating weight that mirrors the geometric shapes and finishes of the dial.
Playing with transparency as light passes through the balance wheel opening, the movement offers a 38-hour power reserve and oscillates at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour).
The watch is complemented by a black rubber strap with a canvas pattern, which can be easily changed without tools thanks to Baume et Mercier’s user-friendly “Fast Strap” interchangeability system.
Its triple folding buckle is crafted from stainless steel and includes security push-pieces.
Wearability is excellent thanks to a slim profile and curved lugs. For reference, the wrist in our pictures measures 17.8 cm / 7 inches.
Combining a bold and distinctive look with high-quality finishes, the new Baume & Mercier Riviera Squelette 10721 stands out as a remarkable addition to the Riviera collection. It is available at a suggested retail price of €4,650 (including VAT) / US$4,500 (excluding sales taxes). baume-et-mercier.com
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Very nice and different skeleton model. Great work.
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