As we turn the corner into another new year, Baume & Mercier excellently executes new timepieces to join its dynamic collections. Each Baume & Mercier collection possesses its own lineage and offers immediately distinctive features that tie in with the line’s inspiration. Indeed, thanks to the brand’s generations’ worth of technical knowledge and visionary thinking, each timepiece has special appeal, both inside and out.

The recently re-vamped rectangular-cased Hampton line, inspired by a 1940s historic piece, evokes a sense of relaxed lifestyle with its generous curves, warm tones and ergonomic art deco lines. This collection perhaps most personifies the spirit of its Hamptons namesake: seaside-living at its finest via artistic, elegant design appeal and tradition.

The alluring Capeland collection of “sport-chic” watches recalls the adventurous side of seaside living and offers functions that are important in today’s lifestyles. Inspired by a 1948 single push-piece chronograph, the Capeland line offers retro accents reminiscent of Baume & Mercier’s pedigree. This collection easily tracks speed, distances, varying intervals of time, and other of life’s more active moments.

The iconic Linea new editions of wonderful round and elegantly curved women’s watches with interchangeable bracelets reinforces the brand’s near-century-long legacy of catering to, and fulfilling women’s desires when it comes to mastering time. Available in two sizes, the refined Linea is at once sensual and sincere. Offering versatility that women love, Linea is easily the brand’s foremost statement in a harmonious balance of DNA, heritage and women’s lifestyles today.

The new timepieces being released in 2012 in these three key collections embody the brand’s inspirational design codes, and reflect its inherent spirit of authenticity and sophistication.

Baume & Mercier’s territory – seaside living in the Hamptons –embodies a state of mind, as well as a feeling and picture-postcard-perfect landscapes. How do the new Linea and Capeland watches carry forth this spirit?
Each of these new pieces is an aesthetically beautiful statement. The Linea model embodies elements of relaxed sophistication and a well-adapted lifestyle with its warm tones and versatile interchangeable bracelet system. The Capeland watch has an adventurous soul, especially with the added functions of telemetric and tachometric scales, features that further indicate individualistic spirit and style.

Both watches are inspired by vintage pieces: the Linea by a watch from the late 1980’s and the Capeland by a historic piece from the 1940’s. Why did you select these eras to reinterpret?
First, for the Linea timepiece, the 1980’s was not that long ago, and yet is a time rich with the advancement of women, women’s rights, and of femininity and fashions. It is the perfect era to recall for women of today, women who have come into their own rights as individuals and who know what they want in a timepiece. For the Capeland model, the 1940s recalls a spirit of a return to family values after the war. The desire for form and function in this era made it a desirable time. Bringing these attributes of the era, which are so in line with Baume & Mercier’s core philosophy, to the forefront in a timepiece today makes sense.

You opted to offer the women’s automatic Linea model with both a metal bracelet and satin strap, how do you feel each of these options changes the timepiece?
The metal bracelet is a beautiful, supple bracelet that caresses the wrist. It seems the perfect look for business or weekend sporty chic activities. The alluring satin strap dresses the watch up so it easily goes to boardroom or to evening elegance. Versatility is really important to women and Baume & Mercier addresses that need.

The men’s emblematic Capeland watch remarkably recalls the brand’s storied past. Were you concerned about any risks when you reinterpreted this 1940’s style for modern life?
The most important thing to be aware of when reinterpreting the past for today, is making a watch that will also be timeless tomorrow. We had to be sure the proportions of the case are in keeping with today’s needs and lifestyles, and also that the movement reflect today’s technology.

Can you share a sneak-peek, or other information, on any of the rest of the new 2012 timepieces?
They will further embody the brand’s dynamic spirit, its commitment to capturing special moments, while always recalling a rich heritage.