Luxury Watches: This year, Baume & Mercier's Hampton line celebrates its 15th birthday and to commemorate the event, the brand has released the brand new Hampton Collection. Featuring three new identities, the watches continue to evolve with the brand and the times.

Created in 1994, the Hampton watch overturned existing watch making codes with its rectangular steel case and became an instant best seller. As the icon watch for Baume & Mercier, the design has held a lot of influence over the other designs by the brand.

Always evolving but maintaining its unique blend of tradition with contemporary design, the Hampton collection has seen numerous variations. This year, however, the new collection takes the Hampton watch to a whole new level.

Three new and distinct identities join the Hampton crew, each more elegant and stand-alone than its predecessor. The new collection begins with the new Classic design. Its intricate craftsmanship and more generous XL case allows the timepieces to truly shine in everyday wear. The small opening in the top half of the dial reveals the reliable, automatic movement, while the crisp blue steel hands indicate the Arabic numerals and indexes.

While the Classic designs feature several variations, such as a chronograph and diamond-set version, the new collection departs from these with the Manchette and Magnum designs.

The Manchette Two-Tone brings the sleek rectangular timepieces a new element of luxury and exclusivity. 28 brilliant-cut diamonds line the polished-steel case while one off-centered signature diamond sits on the crown. In addition to this, the watch features the eye-catching two-tone bracelet with links in alternating gold and stainless steel.

But the real standout amongst the watches is undoubtedly the Magnum. The watch still retains the powerful personality of the Hampton collection while exuding a sporty and racy design. Its oversized case is constructed of black PVD steel and red gold for him and polished and satin-finished steel for her.

For the men, the timepiece is a chronograph with small seconds at 9 o'clock, 30 seconds at 12 o'clock and dual time counter at 6 o'clock. The women's Magnum retains simple elegance with just the dual time counter, also at 6 o'clock, and the large date at 12 o'clock.

Baume & Mercier refreshes their iconic Hamptons designs this year in celebration of its 15th birthday and constant success and popularity. While remaining true to their Hamptons siblings, the watches take steps forward in design, always keeping the brand at the forefront of contemporary style and reminding us of the brand's knowledge, experience and staying power.

For JustLuxeKate Prihoda

Posted On: Tuesday Sep. 8th, 2009