Baume & Mercier Unveils Petite Promesse Watches with Double-Wrap Straps

Last week, we had the great opportunity to join Baume & Mercier at the Standard Penthouse in New York City as the brand celebrated the official unveiling of the new 22mm Petite Promesse. We wrote about this watch in full detail on our column on WorldTempus earlier this week. You can read about the thinking behind the watch, and its development there. But now we would like to bring you a quick look at the bold colors, the stunning double-wrap leather straps and the sensual curves of Baume & Mercier’s Petite Promesse.

The concept of Promesse – that promises matter and are important in our lives – has endeared  women around the world to the line, and the unveiling of the Petite Promesse, which has been totally reconfigured to fit the smaller 22mm case size with comfortable link bracelets and thin straps, promises to keep the timepiece in high demand. The new watch embraces the individualistic style of the 1970s with the three bold color choices: bright orange, rich bold blue and a shimmering stainless steel bracelet that is so soft and flexible that it feels like silk against the wrist.

At once both delicate and fashion forward, the Petite Promesse collection features mother-of-pearl dials, diamond accents and a hidden crown. Setting is executed via a button on the caseback so that a crown does not mar the sleek elliptical case shape. Each also comes with a single-wrap black strap. There are two versions offered, one with 22 diamonds on the case, and another with 44 diamonds.The new 22mm Petite Promesse — coming to stores now — retails for $2,450 to $3,300,

Baume & Mercier creative Design and Product Director Alexandre Peraldi says of the collection, “We have three objectives in the design, comfort, comfort and comfort. Comfort on the wrist … comfort on the eyes and comfort of the wallet. The mission in the Petite Promesse was to go from 34 and 36mm to 22mm – and when you change the size of a watch it is not easy. You are not just making a smaller case, you have to change much more … the lugs, the way the straps attach – you have to redesign from the neck down, so to speak. It is very difficult, especially for the bracelet version, to make it so supple and moveable.”