Well, it’s official: B&M finally introduces its first limited edition model designed exclusively for their U.S. customers. Destined to be sold -again: exclusively- through Turneau, one of the largest luxury retailers in the United States, the Baume & Mercier Capeland Tourneau will be produced in a limited party of just 250 pieces. And it will be expensive, too.
Launched back in 2011, the Capeland Collection was updated earlier this year with a new movement and a couple of new dials.
Also manufactured by LaJoux-Perret, the brand’s longstanding partner, the new LJP Caliber 3513 sports a similar general exterior and, too, features a nicely executed flyback chronograph complication.
As far as finish is concerned, the mechanism features the usual skeletonized oscillating weight with a set of vertical and diagonal Geneva stripes on the rotor and quarter plate respectively, as well as the usual circular graining and something that looks like sandblasting on other visible surfaces.
Polished and blued screw heads finish the picture of a caliber that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to show off via the rear sapphire crystal.
Just like the base model, the new Capeland Tourneau arrives in a noticeably oversized stainless steel body that measures 44 millimeters in diameter, is 16.50 mm thick, and may be considered by many as not the most comfortable choice to accompany classic formal attire.
On the other hand, it harmonically combines the vintage-styled face with its inevitable italicized Arabic numerals and Breguet-type hands with classic-looking chronograph push-pieces and a comfortable-looking setting crown. Some may even argue that the gadget tries to mimic the look and feel of pocket watch-based wristwatches from the 1920s that were equipped with huge mechanisms and themselves were rather big.
Of course, thanks to its generously sized hands and a number of different scales on the dial (tachymeter, blue), sub-dials, and even on the bezel flange (telemeter, black), the face looks kinda busy, but that’s how the chronos from the first half (or maybe even the first third) of the 20th century generally looked like.
Again, the Capeland Tourneau is legible enough to easily tell the current time in broad daylight. It wouldn’t be as impressive in total darkness, though, since the piece comes without even a trace of lume, neither on its hands nor on its hour markers (these are simply printed on the chapter ring.)
As usual, its only serious problem is the price.
Sporting an MSRP of a whopping $8000 USD, the Ref. 10088 will be either out of financial reach of a normal enthusiast or will be on par with such monsters as Glashutte Original Vintage Senator Sixties Chronograph and the likes that, from my perspective, offer better value and will probably depreciate not as dramatically the moment a box with the new timekeeper changes hands in the shop. Well, I guess the guys from Baume & Mercier know what they are doing.
WWR Verdict
Originality 4/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 1/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
See also: Patek Philippe 10 Day Tourbillon 5101R in rose gold
Photos: Baume & Mercier
Baume & Mercier Capeland Tourneau specification
Price: $8000 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, LaJoux-Perret caliber 3513, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 27
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Movement decoration: Skeletonized “Baume & Mercier” oscillating weight
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph, tachymeter (blue), and telemeter (black) scales
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Case height: 16.50 mm
Dial: Copper-toned
Numerals: Arabic, Breguet-type
Hour markers: Black
Hands: Steel, blued
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Black leather strap with contrasting beige stitching
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire