To mark the Year of the Rabbit for Chinese New Year on January 22, 2023, Swiss luxury watch brand Baume & Mercier presents the Riviera Chinese New Year Rabbit.
In the Chinese calendar, the New Year – also known as Lunar New Year – corresponds with the first day of the first month of the lunisolar Gregorian calendar, which is based both on the annual solar cycle and the regular moon phase cycle.
It always falls on a day of the crescent between January 21st and February 20th. The Spring Festival opens the year of the Rabbit on January 22, 2023, which will conclude on February 9, 2024 with the Lunar New Year’s Eve.
The traditional Chinese zodiac calendar is composed of a twelve-year cycle, with each common year made up of twelve moon cycles. The Riviera Chinese New Year Rabbit watch evokes this system with the twelve sides of its dodecagonal shaped bezel.
Baume & Mercier Riviera Chinese New Year Rabbit
Measuring 42-mm diameter, the polished and satin-brushed stainless steel case is enhanced by the marked contrast of its polished and sun satin stainless steel bezel against the smoky gray sapphire dial, adorned with a subtle wave decor.
The dial side of the watch has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-glare coating on both sides. It extends into the Roman numerals and riveted indexes in 5N gold-plated PVD steel coated with Superluminova (C1, blue glow) and the faceted hands in 5N gold-plated PVD steel which indicate the hours, minutes and seconds. A narrow aperture at 3 o’clock reveals the date.
Each of the twelve years of the Chinese calendar is traditionally represented by an animal and an element. 2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit. The New Year’s slogan heralds luck and happiness: “金兔携名福，星月照万士” “The rabbit brings luck and is with you every day.”
The Rabbit appears at 8 o’clock on the dial of the Riviera Chinese New Year, since the number 8 represents luck and prosperity. It also adorns the dodecagonal case back, where a sapphire crystal reveals a superb open-worked gold-tone oscillating weight.
The design surrounding the Rabbit on the case back is a typical decorative pattern used on various Chinese instruments.
The Riviera Chinese New Year Rabbit Edition watch is adorned with gold and red, two strong colors that the Chinese associate with joy. The Roman numerals, hands and indexes of the watch are gold-toned to express status, success and wealth.
The red accents symbolize celebration, happiness and peace. The delicate red line running along the octagonal crown, the red rabbit transfer on the case back, and the additional red strap – all evoke the festive spirit associated with the Chinese New Year.
Baumatic BM131975A Calibre
Beating inside, the COSC- certified Baumatic Manufacture movement BM131975A is known for its chronometric precision, resistance to everyday magnetic fields, durability and robustness. Driving the hours, minute, second and date functions, this automatic calibre offers a power reserve of 120 hours (5 days).
The Riviera Chinese New Year Rabbit watch is also water-resistant to 10 ATM (approximately 100 m).
Integrated Bracelet
In polished and satin-finished stainless steel, the integrated bracelet of the Riviera Chinese New Year Rabbit features three rows and a triple folding clasp with security push-pieces.
Thanks to a very reliable and robust interchangeable system, it is possible to change the bracelet without the need for tools and to alternate with the integrated additional strap in grained and satin-finished red rubber.
Technical details
Model: Baume & Mercier Riviera Chinese New Year Rabbit
Reference M0A10719
Movement
Manufacture self-winding Baumatic Cal. BM13-1975A
Power reserve: 5 days (120h)
Jewels: 21
Frequency: 4 Hz (28’800 vph)
Thickness: 4.2 mm
Gilt open-worked oscillating weight
Functions
Hour, minutes, seconds and date
Case
Shape: Dodecagonal
Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 10.66 mm
Polished and satin-finished stainless steel case
Antiglare (2 faces) scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Sun satin-finished and polished stainless steel bezel equipped with 4 sandblasted screws
Sapphire dodecagonal case back secured with 4 screws and red rabbit decor
Octagonal free crown with Phi logo embossed and redline
Water-resistance: 10 ATM (approx. 100m)
Dial
Smoked grey sapphire crystal, transparent waves and rabbit decor at 8 o-clock
5N gilt PVD steel riveted indexes coated with Superluminova (C1, blue emission)
Faceted 5N gilt PVD steel hands
Date aperture at 3 o’clock
Bracelet
Integrated 3-row polished and satin-finished stainless steel
Interchangeable system that allows to change the bracelet without any need for tools
Triple folding clasp with security push-pieces
Additional strap
Integrated grained and satin-finished red rubber Fast strap
Interchangeable system
Triple folding buckle with security push-pieces
Adjustment system for added comfort
Suggested retail price
4’050 CHF
