Baume & Mercier - Formula S - MV04FO16 - Men - 1990-1999

Baume & Mercier is a Swiss watch brand with a rich history dating back to 1830, when brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume opened their first watch shop in Les Bois, a village in the Jura region of Switzerland. The company grew rapidly thanks to their reputation for precision and quality. In 1918, the brand entered into a partnership with Paul Mercier, leading to the founding of Baume & Mercier as we know it today. The brand gained international fame by producing elegant, high-quality watches, often focused on aesthetics and refinement. In the 1970s, Baume & Mercier became part of the Richemont Group, one of the largest luxury goods groups in the world. To this day, the brand remains true to its motto: 'Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality.'

This particular piece also honors the motto of Baume & Mercier. The watch is the diver's model Formula S by Baume & Mercier, produced in the 1990s. This model bears the reference number MV04FO16. It was offered in various color combinations, with this neutral combination, consisting of a black dial and stainless steel case, being the least frequently represented in numbers.

What stands out is the highly detailed finish of the watch. This is evident in features such as the edge of the 60-step rotating bezel, the watch case back, and the details of the hour markers on the dial. The hour markers and hands are equipped with luminous lume, which still functions and has aged evenly over time. This contributes to the vintage character of the watch. In addition to the rotating bezel, the screw-down crown indicates that it is a diver's watch. Despite its age, the watch remains a fully functional diver's watch. The reason for this is the maintenance performed in 2025, during which it was ultrasonically cleaned by a professional watchmaker, the gaskets of both the case back and crown were replaced, and the bezel was cleaned internally. The watch was then tested for water resistance up to 70 meters.

The watch is equipped with a battery-powered movement and features a quickset date function. The movement functions well. Additionally, the watch comes with the original stainless steel bracelet from Baume & Mercier with a folding clasp. The clasp bears the Baume & Mercier logo including the model designation. The watch is also supplied with two additional original spare links for the bracelet. It is delivered in the original luxury wooden box.

The case measures 38 millimeters in diameter excluding the crown and 40 millimeters including the crown. The case thickness is only 7 millimeters. All in all, this is a beautiful vintage piece that deserves to be part of the collection of its next enthusiast.