A limited edition of just 73 pieces, the new Riviera Chronograph Flyback ref. 10828 stands out for its vintage-style gilded dial. Price: €8,200
Released by Baume Mercier in a limited edition of just 73 pieces worldwide, a number that pays tribute to the year 1973 when the Riviera line was launched, the new Riviera Chronograph Flyback ref. 10828 stands out for the vintage character of its dial.
Similar in style to the one featured in the Riviera Perpetual Calendar 10742, this gilded dial is enhanced by a brushed vertical finish and enriched with three precision scales.
At the centre, a spiralling tachymeter scale in kilometres per hour measures speed over a known distance. Encircling the hour markers, the minute scale is calibrated to fifth-of-a-second intervals.
Along the outermost ring, a telemeter scale is used to calculate the distance to an event that can be both seen and heard, such as lightning followed by thunder or a fireworks display. In the past, telemeter scales were often found on military watches to help locate enemy artillery.
The faceted hour and minute hands, crafted in rhodium-plated Dauphine style, are paired with Roman numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock. All are coated with beige Super-LumiNova that emits a blue glow in low light.
These numerals are joined by riveted, rhodium-plated hour markers, each punctuated by a luminous dot to ensure visibility at a glance.
A blued steel chronograph seconds hand sweeps across the dial, its counterweight shaped like the brand’s Phi emblem. The two sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock display the 30-minute chronograph and the running seconds, respectively, each with polished blued steel hands. The date appears in a white aperture positioned at 4:30.
Framed by the Riviera’s signature twelve-sided bezel, the 41 mm stainless steel case combines polished and satin-brushed finishes to highlight the dynamic lines. Emblematic of this collection, the dodecagonal bezel is secured by four screws. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal features an anti-glare coating on both sides.
Harmonising with the bezel, the octagonal crown is decorated with the brand’s Phi logo. Water resistance is rated at 100 metres / 330 feet.
Also fastened by four screws, the dodecagonal case back bears a special “Limited Edition One of 73” engraving, and may also be custom-engraved.
Visible through the transparent sapphire crystal, the self-winding chronograph movement La Joux-Perret Calibre 8147-2 integrates a flyback function.
Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), it offers a power reserve of 42 hours. The openworked rotor reveals refined finishes, including perlage, Geneva stripes and blued screws.
Also known as retour en vol, the flyback function was introduced in the 1930s to help pilots time different flight stages. Unlike a traditional chronograph, which requires three separate actions—stop, reset and restart—the flyback mechanism of the Riviera 10828 allows the seconds hand to return instantly to zero and resume timing with a single press of the push-button at 4 o’clock.
The integrated bracelet features three rows of polished and satin-finished stainless steel links, complemented by a triple folding buckle with security push-pieces.
Thanks to the proprietary Fast Strap interchangeability system, it is possible to change the bracelet, quickly and easily, with other straps in the Baume et Mercier range that are optionally available.
The new Baume & Mercier Riviera Chronograph Flyback ref. 10828 has a suggested retail price of CHF 7,750 / €8,200 / US$8,100. baume-et-mercier.com
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