Baume & Mercier Genève - 18K yellow gold chronograph watch

With its generous 18K gold case and silvered dial of unusual freshness, this Baume & Mercier chronograph brings the clear, functional character of the post-war period to the wrist. After about eight decades, it remains remarkably crisp and balanced, making wearing such a piece particularly satisfying. Its Landeron 48 movement and balanced scales give it the appeal of a historic watch designed not only to be admired, but also to be used.

• Type of jewelry: men's wristwatch with manual-wind chronograph.
• Condition: very good condition, with slight wear consistent with age. The silvered dial remains particularly crisp, with only limited visible signs of age. No trace of dial restoration was observed. Fitted with a brown leather strap that is not presented as original, with a gold-colored base metal buckle. The watch has been fully serviced by a watchmaker and is in good working order, including the chronograph. Like any vintage watch, it should not be expected to have the precision of a modern watch and may gain or lose several minutes per day.
• Country of origin: Switzerland.
• Style: functional post-war design, centered on a balanced two-register chronograph layout and a multi-scale instrument dial.
• Period: circa late 1940s to early 1950s.
• Material: 18K yellow gold, tested with a touchstone, with acrylic crystal; marked "18K" and "0.750."
• Additional information: the round case features long curved lugs, a snap-on case back, chronograph pushers at two and four o’clock, as well as a winding crown at three o’clock. Its 17-jewel Landeron 48 movement drives a central chronograph seconds hand, a 30-minute counter, and a small seconds. The outer tachymeter scale expresses elapsed time in terms of speed, while the inner red telemeter scale is intended to estimate distance from an observable event and its sound.
• Maker: Baume & Mercier Genève, branded "Baume & Mercier Genève" on the dial.
• Hallmarks: case number 103697 inside the case back.