Baume & Mercier Chronograph 1940s – The Essence of Swiss Elegance and Heritage A timepiece that embodies the golden era of mechanical watchmaking — where craftsmanship, precision, and timeless aesthetics converged to create true horological art. This Baume & Mercier Chronograph from the 1940s is a beautiful testament to the brand’s long-standing legacy of refinement and innovation. With its harmonious proportions, hand-finished details, and mechanical soul, this watch captures the spirit of an era defined by technical excellence and understated sophistication. Case: The gold-plated case measures 38 mm, a generous size for its time, giving it a strong and elegant wrist presence. The lugs are gracefully curved, emphasizing the traditional Geneva design language that Baume & Mercier mastered throughout the mid-century. Glass: Equipped with a domed acrylic crystal, offering that warm vintage charm and slight distortion effect characteristic of 1940s chronographs. Dial: The silver dial, now adorned with a natural patina of time, tells the story of its age and authenticity. The bi-compax layout — with two finely guilloché subdials for running seconds and chronograph minutes — is framed by an outer tachymeter and minute track. Arabic numerals and golden leaf hands complete the composition, exuding balance and legibility. Movement: Powered by a Swiss mechanical hand-wound movement, signed Baume & Mercier Genève, representing the brand’s high horological standards before the quartz era. Each caliber from this period was assembled and adjusted by hand, a process reserved for fine chronographs of distinction. Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds Chronograph with central seconds and 30-minute counter Water Resistance: Originally splash-resistant, untested for water. Strap: Fitted with a generic black leather strap, elegant and comfortable, suitable for wrists up to 22 cm. Condition: Grade B – Well-preserved vintage condition, showing consistent signs of wear according to its age. The gold plating remains attractive, while the dial’s soft patina enhances its authenticity and collector appeal. Box: Supplied with a generic presentation box. Story: Founded in 1830 in the Swiss Jura, Baume & Mercier is one of the oldest Swiss watchmaking houses still in existence. By the 1940s, the brand had already established a reputation for producing precise and elegant chronographs, admired by professionals and connoisseurs alike. The Chronograph models of this decade represent a period when Swiss watchmaking reached a pinnacle of mechanical artistry. Each piece was designed with balance and purpose — blending engineering precision with aesthetic harmony. These watches were often worn by pilots, doctors, and engineers, who relied on their chronographs for timing with absolute accuracy. The Baume & Mercier Chronograph 1940s stands as a tribute to that legacy — a mechanical masterpiece that bridges function and elegance. Its dual-register layout, manual movement, and vintage proportions make it a coveted piece among collectors seeking the authenticity and charm of early chronograph design. A remarkable survivor of an era when every second was measured with care, and every detail was crafted by hand — a true witness to the golden age of Swiss watchmaking. Express Delivery via UPS Express Internal Reference Number - AL 300