Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL Automatic (ref. 8835)

Definitely inspired by the legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, the new Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL Automatic wrist watch is a relatively affordable piece of gadgetry for those not willing to spend a fortune on the real thing.

The sporty watch, which was originally presented this spring during the Baselworld 2009 show, comes powered by the pretty much standard ETA 2892-A2 Swiss made automatic movement, which is known for its high quality, long live expectancy and accuracy.

Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL Automatic is packed in a massive dodecagonal stainless steel case.

Sized at 45 mm in diameter, the watch is quite large and is also really heavy on a hand, but, thanks for relatively short lugs, may fit even thinner wrists.

Its matte black dial features huge, but somehow crude-looking, Roman numerals painted with a luminescent substance.

Thanks to the chosen color, the lume looks contrast not only in darkness when it glows brightly, but even in normal lighting conditions.

The hour and minute hands also received their share of SuperLuminova, but that didn’t make them look any prettier. I would even say that both hands are on the uglier side of it, especially when compared to the 2006 year’s Riviera Chronograph model in red gold and rubber (ref. M0A08712.) with their beautiful dauphine hands, elegantly shaped Roman numerals and a dial nicely decorated with a honeycomb pattern.

Perhaps, trying to differentiate itself from their object of inspiration, B&M’s designers have gone too far.

Photos: Baume & Mercier

Baume & Mercier Riviera Magnum XXL Automatic watch’s specification:

Price range: €2500
Movement: ETA 2892-A2, automatic, 28800 vph
Complications: Date
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: Stainless steel
Case size: 45 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 200 m
Strap: Rubber strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective