Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Baume & Mercier wristwatch, ref. 1902, chronograph minute and hour counters, circa 1950-1960

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

Maker / attribution: Baume & Mercier (brand / maker)
Date: c. 1950-1960
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: stainless steel
Dimensions: height 40 mm; width 35 mm
Auction house: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Lot: Lot 346-20
Credit line: Auction lot record: LOT 20, Geneva,January 3, 2022
Catalogue title (original): Baume & Mercier Ref. 1902, chronograph, minute and hour counters, triple date à guichets (with apertures), moon phases, calibre Valjoux 72 C; stainless steel (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 346-20), this is a wristwatch by Baume & Mercier, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1950-1960. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: height 40 mm; width 35 mm. The record is illustrated with 1 photograph.

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

Antiquorum catalogue description

Stainless steel, manual-winding, tonneau-shaped, gentleman’s wristwatch, snap-on case-back, silver colour dial with subsidiary seconds at 9 and six horological complications:· 1/5 second chronograph (activated by the two rectangular-shaped push-pieces)· Half-instantaneous 30-minute counter (subsidiary dial at 3 o’clock)· 12-hour counter (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock)· Half-instantaneous date of the month (exterior graduation with central index)· Day of the week (aperture at 11 o’clock; indications given in English)· Month of the year (aperture at 1 o’clock; indications given in English)

Lot specifications (Antiquorum)

Reference: 1902; Movement No.: unnumbered; Case No.: 388 506; Material: stainless steel; Bracelet: black leather strap; Buckle: stainless steel buckle; Caliber: 13’’’ (based on Valjoux 72 C by Reymond Frères, Les Bioux, Vallée de Joux); Height: 40 mm.; Width: 35 mm.; Signature: dial and movement

Inscriptions & marks

dial and movement

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

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

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

Chronograph — Complication
Moon-phase indication — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksRecorded
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsNot in source

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

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Antiquorum Genève SA — 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

"Baume & Mercier wristwatch, ref. 1902, chronograph minute and hour counters, circa 1950-1960." Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva, Lot 346-20. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/baume-mercier-wristwatch-ref-1902-chronograph-minute-and-hour-counters-9141d6.