1960s Baume & Mercier Geneve Automatic, Cal. BM 1350, 17j, 35mm Fluted Bezel Dress Watch, Runs — view 1 of 4 — View 1 of 4 · Image: Sphere Auctions LLC / LiveAuctioneers · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 4 · Image: Sphere Auctions LLC / LiveAuctioneers · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

1960s Baume & Mercier Geneve Automatic, Cal. BM 1350, 17j, 35mm Fluted Bezel Dress Watch, Runs

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.

Maker / attribution: Baume (maker)
Date: 1960s
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Auction house: LiveAuctioneers auction archive
Lot: Item 215796689
Credit line: Auction lot record: lot 94, Exclusive Watches and Pocket watches 2, Sphere Auctions LLC (2025), via LiveAuctioneers
Catalogue title (original): 1960s Baume & Mercier Geneve Automatic, Cal. BM 1350, 17j, 35mm Fluted Bezel Dress Watch, Runs (English)

View the source record (auction lot) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by LiveAuctioneers auction archive (lot Item 215796689), this is a wristwatch by Baume, made in Switzerland, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Lot description — Sphere Auctions LLC

Vintage Baume & Mercier Genève automatic wristwatch, circa 1960s, powered by the Swiss Caliber BM 1350 automatic movement (signed Baume & Mercier, 17 jewels). The movement features Incabloc shock protection, anti-magnetic balance, and Swiss brevet caseback marks.The watch measures approx. 35mm across (excluding crown) and is housed in a gold-tone round dress case with a fluted/coin-edge bezel and stainless steel screw-back, marked Waterproof, Antimagnetic, Incabloc, Automatic.Dial is a striking two-tone design with a black center and gold outer chapter ring, baton markers, and dauphine hands. Fitted with a vintage gold-tone expansion bracelet.The watch is currently running, though a service is recommended for accuracy. Crystal shows scratches and the dial has visible aging, adding authentic vintage character.---Details:Brand: Baume & Mercier GenèveEra: 1960sCaliber: BM 1350 automatic, 17 jewels, signedCase Size: 35mm (excluding crown)Case Style: Round dress case with fluted bezel edge, gold-tone, stainless steel screw-backDial: Two-tone black and gold, baton markers, dauphine handsCrystal: Acrylic, scratchedBracelet: Gold-tone expansion bracelet (vintage, likely period correct)Condition: Running; dial with aging; case shows wear; crystal scratched

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Jewel bearings — Component
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component
Shock protection — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: LiveAuctioneers auction archive (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Sphere Auctions LLC / LiveAuctioneers — permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"1960s Baume & Mercier Geneve Automatic, Cal. BM 1350, 17j, 35mm Fluted Bezel Dress Watch, Runs." LiveAuctioneers auction archive, Item 215796689. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/1960s-baume-mercier-geneve-automatic-cal-bm-1350-17j-35mm-fluted-bezel-32f2af.