Baume & Mercier
In 1830 Louis-Victor Baume and Célestin Baume opened a comptoir horloger in Les Bois, Switzerland. As time passed their business grew as they worked to “accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality” their motto. As the brand grew the decided to expand opening a branch in London. Baume Brothers continued to expand and acquire customers selling chronographs mostly and by 1893 they continued to win awards for their complications such as the chronometer pocket watch with tourbillion. By 1918 William Baume had taken control of the company and he partnered with Paul Mercier to found Baume & Mercier Geneve. The company continued to expand and in the 1940's Baume & Mercier launched one new models with great success. In the 1960's they added the Greek letter Phi to the logo which would become and iconic move and launched various chronographs equipped with functions such as moon phase or triple date displays. Continued expansion occurred when in 1973 Baume & Mercier brought out the Riviera, one of the world's first steel sports watches. Then in 1988, the firm joined the Vendôme group through an acquisition by Vendome. Eventually Vendome was purchased by Richemont.
