Baume& Mercier William Baume Single Push-Piece Chronograph (William Baume Collection-2009)

A complication that is both useful and aesthetically pleasing, the single push-piece chronograph serves to start, stop and reset short times by pressing a single pusher. It thereby also streamlines the aesthetic of the case side by integrating the crown and two pushers into a single element, compared with three separate elements on conventional chronographs.



This newcomer to the William Baume collection derives its historical legitimacy from a wristwatch with a single push-piece chronograph function introduced by Baume & Mercier in 1938. Entirely in tune with the contemporary design of the William Baume line, the silvered dial of the new model reflects the two horizontal counters of the original: the small seconds counter at 9 o’clock and the chronograph minute at 3 o’clock.



The chronograph seconds are read off as usual by the central hand. The silvered dial is adorned with a “Vieux Panier” guilloché décor and a sun satin-finish on the rings surrounding the chronograph counters and the chapter ring. The mechanical hand-wound movement, with its circular-grained mainplate, bridges graced with “Côtes de Genève” and blued steel screws, can be admired through a broad sapphire crystal window in the case-back. The 18K red gold XL-sized (41 mm) case is teamed with a hand-stitched chestnut brown alligator strap. Limited, numbered edition of 20 watches.


Technical details:
Reference:M0A08802
Movement:
-Manual (Lajoux-Perret 5000)
-Diameter: 24.6mm
-Thickness: 4.2mm
-Jewels: 21
-Power reserve: 42 hours
-Frequency: 3Hz
-Vibration: 21 600 vibrations/hour
-Bridges :decorated with «Côtes de Genève», circular-grained plate, satin-finished chronograph controls, snailed crown & ratchet wheels, blued steel screws.

Functions:Single push-piece chronograph. Chronograph seconds displayed with the central hand and minutes displayed in the 3 o’clock counter. Movement seconds displayed in the 9 o’clock counter.

Case:
-Round
-Size: XL – 41mm
-Thickness: 9.6mm
-Gold weight: 53.5g
-Polished/satin-finished 18 carat red gold case, horns fitted on to the case,
-Polished/satin-finished 18 carat red gold fluted crown, adorned with a satin
polished Phi symbol,18 carat red gold case back fixed with six 18 carat red gold screws, large sapphire crystal aperture ,Satin-finished 18 carat red gold snap engraved with the name of the collection and the limited edition number.

Dial:
-Color: silvered
-“Vieux Panier” guilloché décor, sun-satin finished minute-track & hour zones
-18 carat red gold riveted appliqué indexes
-18 carat red gold spear-shaped hands, “oeil-de-perdrix” hands in the chronograph counters & seconds counter
-Double-sided antiglare sapphire crystal

Strap:Hand-stitched chestnut brown alligator strap, square scales, tone on tone stitching
Buckle: Polished/satin-finished 18 carat red gold pin buckle engraved with the Phi symbol;Gold weight: 5.3g

Water-resistance:30m
Total gold weight:58.8g
Limited and numbered edition of 20 pieces