Iconic Swiss Watch Brand, Baume & Mercier Unveils Promesse, A New Women's Collection, Its First In Nearly A Decade

NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Baume & Mercier, one of the oldest Swiss watch brands, unveils a new women's watch collection, Promesse, (#Promesse) its first new women's offering in nearly a decade.  Promesse, a "promise" in French, is meant to inspire women to hold one and celebrate a special moment close to their heart with this beautiful timepiece.  Promesse is now available at select retailers nationwide and at www.baume-et-mercier.com/en-us/home.html.  Prices for the Promesse collection start at $1,900.

To celebrate its launch, Baume & Mercier is launching a worldwide contest today, "Make a Promise," (makeapromesse.baume-et-mercier.com ) in search of the world's most beautiful "promise." Like the promises that are now sealed in public spaces around the world with small padlocks, Baume & Mercier encourages everybody to share their own personal "padlock promise" to enter to win. The contest will run from October 10-November 10, 2014; winner will be awarded their very own Promesse. "We're thrilled to be unveiling such a coveted collection, and what better way to celebrate it than with a worldwide contest. I'm truly looking forward to reading the submissions, for there are so many beautiful stories to be told and wishes to share," explains Rudy Chavez, President of Baume & Mercier North America."  Visit makeapromesse.baume-et-mercier.com for more information and to enter.

Promesse draws its inspiration from more than 100-years of rich feminine heritage of Baume & Mercier while translating it in a contemporary way. Decidedly different due to its unconventional shape, Promesse features a unique look with an oval bezel nestled inside a soft, round case.  Its sleek curves may be perceived as a visual interpretation rippling water, which is further enhanced by a mother-of-pearl bezel.  This 14-piece collection includes both 30mm and 34mm sizes in both steel and two-tone 18K red gold.  Available with or without diamonds, the collection also includes both quartz and automatic models on a bracelet or leather strap for every woman's taste.

While Baume & Mercier may be predominantly known for its men's timepieces, it was actually a woman who inspired the brand's original designs. In 1869, Louis-Victor Baume gifted his daughter Melina, a gold pocket-watch. From then onwards, the brand began creating iconic jewelry-watch models epitomizing the Art Deco period. Their designs and inspired shapes were to make them powerful symbols of female pride.

Since then, every decade has brought new design inspirations for women's watches.  The 1950's, known as the "golden fifties," brought "marquise" timepieces with "bangle" bracelets. The 1960's saw increased elegance and refinement and by the 1970's, the visionary House redefined the principles of women's timepieces by designing unconventional shapes for women's watches. It is the creativity of all these key periods that inspired the current Promesse design.

Contact: Melissa Stolper, 201-658-2019, [email protected]

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SOURCE Baume & Mercier