Geneva-Quality Servicing for Your Baume & Mercier
Baume & Mercier's 1830 Geneva heritage produces watches whose restraint is the point, Clifton dress references kept slim and architectural, Riviera dodecagonal cases sharp at every facet. Our London workshop services the in-house Baumatic, the Sellita-based references and the chronograph modules with the discipline each demands, and signs off every piece with a written 12-month guarantee.
Baume & Mercier's nearly two centuries of Swiss watchmaking, from the 1830 founding by the Baume brothers to the modern Richemont-era manufacture, have produced consistently restrained, well-built timepieces that reward correct servicing. The 5-day Baumatic in-house calibre, the Sellita SW200 / SW300 base movements and the discontinued AMVOX hand-wounds each demand their own protocol.
A 1970s rectangular Hampton inherited from a grandparent and a contemporary Clifton Baumatic on the BM13 in-house calibre each enter the same protected workflow at our bench, logged on intake, stripped to component level, re-oiled to manufacturer specification and regulated across positions before certification is signed off.
Every Baume & Mercier service includes the following:
A complete Baume & Mercier service at Martin Oliva is a calibre and case restoration, not a cosmetic refresh. Every timepiece moves through ten dedicated workshop stages before sign-off.
Pre-Service Diagnostic Trace
An initial bench-trace captures rate, amplitude and beat error alongside the case-pressure reading, those four numbers form the documented baseline against which the regulated calibre is later measured.
Calibre Strip to Component Level
The movement is decomposed in sequence, each bridge, balance assembly, escapement element, mainspring barrel and gear train component is recorded into its own tracked position through cleaning and reassembly.
Baumatic 5-Day Reserve Inspection
The BM12/BM13 Baumatic in-house calibre's mainspring barrel and twin-barrel architecture (where present) are inspected to preserve the full 120-hour reserve specification.
Multi-Stage Component Cleaning
Component cleaning runs in tiered baths, brass and steel pass through separate ultrasonic cycles, plated parts have their own protocol, and jewels and pivots are cleaned individually to lift every trace of old lubricant.
Manufacturer-Specified Re-Oiling
Pivots, jewels and friction surfaces are re-oiled to Baume & Mercier specification, Baumatic, Sellita-base and chronograph-module calibres each have their own oiling chart, followed point by point under microscope.
Case & Bracelet Hand-Refinishing
Clifton, Riviera and Hampton cases are hand-restored without softening their lines, brushed flanks refreshed with the original grain, polished bevels masked from the surrounding planes so case geometry stays intact.
Crown, Tube & Gasket Sealing
All gaskets on the case are renewed during service, not held back for failure, crown seal, tube washer, caseback ring and any chronograph pusher seals are swapped before pressure certification is attempted.
Depth & Air Pressure Certification
The case is certified against its original depth specification through sequential dry-air and wet pressure cycles, both results are entered into the service file alongside the regulation record.
Five-Day Position Rate Trial
A five-day, five-position rate trial verifies stable timekeeping, the regulated calibre is held in each orientation and read on the timegrapher so the variation under different mainspring tension is documented before sign-off.
Twelve-Month Written Guarantee
The completed service comes with a 12-month written cover from Martin Oliva, workmanship and any component fitted by our watchmakers during the service are both included in the guarantee document.
Baume & Mercier Service Prices including VAT
All figures include VAT and the complete ten-stage protocol. "Modern" applies to references in current or recent production; "Vintage" covers discontinued calibres and pre-2000 references that require additional bench time.
All prices include VAT and the 12-month written guarantee. Sapphire crystal replacement, dial restoration, bracelet refinishing and any restoration work are quoted separately after the workshop inspection.
The Service Journey
Four clear stages take your timepiece from the first enquiry to its return in fully serviced condition.
Send a Note
Tell us the reference number, the calibre (if known) and what brought you to us, rate drift, crown stiffness, moisture, scheduled service. We reply with an indicative figure within one working day.
Inspect
The watch is logged on the timegrapher and inspected under microscope. A written diagnostic and firm quotation are sent for your approval before any work proceeds.
Workshop
The ten-stage protocol runs three to four weeks for quartz and Sellita-based references, and four to six for Baumatic and chronograph movements.
Collect
Your serviced watch comes back with its diagnostic file, the certification of regulation, the water-resistance result and the 12-month written guarantee.
Entrusted with Classical Swiss Watchmaking
Baumatic & Sellita Calibres
Our watchmakers have trained on Baume & Mercier's modern Baumatic in-house calibre (BM12/BM13) with its 5-day reserve, the Sellita SW200/SW300 base movements and the Dubois-Dépraz chronograph modules used across the range.
Vintage Sensitivity
Pre-2000 Baume & Mercier references are serviced with respect for their original geometry and patina. Component sourcing draws on our trusted horological supplier network when period-correct parts are required.
Documented Throughout
Your Baume & Mercier is registered at full valuation on arrival, photographed at every stage of the service workflow and held inside our private workshop area through completion and dispatch.
Baume & Mercier Models We Service
From the latest Clifton Baumatic references through 1970s Riviera and Hampton originals, our London bench is equipped to service every Baume & Mercier family.
Baume & Mercier Service FAQs
How often does a Baume & Mercier need to be serviced?
The manufacture's general guidance is a full service every five years for mechanical references and a battery change every two to three years for quartz pieces. Watches showing rate drift, moisture under the crystal or stiff crowns should be inspected sooner, a short assessment at our bench will determine whether intervention is needed now.
Do you service the Baumatic in-house calibre?
Yes, the BM12-1975 and the chronometer-certified BM13-1975 Baumatic calibres are part of our regular workflow. The 5-day reserve, silicon escapement and chronometer-tolerance regulation are all serviced to Baume & Mercier specification.
Can you preserve the Riviera's integrated dodecagonal case finish?
Yes, refinishing the Riviera's twelve-sided bezel and integrated bracelet requires hand-work to preserve the brushed flat surfaces and polished bevels. Our bench masks polished bevels while satin-brushing the surrounding planes, refinishing only proceeds with your written approval.
Will independent servicing affect my Baume & Mercier warranty?
While a watch remains within Baume & Mercier's own international warranty, manufacturer servicing is generally advisable to preserve the original guarantee. For timepieces outside that warranty, an independent service from Martin Oliva uses correct parts and follows the calibre's service sheet, and is fully covered by our own 12-month written guarantee.
Do you service vintage Baume & Mercier references?
Yes, our senior bench works on vintage Baume & Mercier hand-wound and automatic pieces from the mid-20th century. Vintage work is priced under the Vintage column and may take additional time due to component sourcing.
Can clients outside the United Kingdom send a watch to your workshop?
Absolutely. We regularly receive timepieces from clients across mainland Europe, the Gulf, North America and Asia. Contact us in advance and we will guide you through insured tracked shipping, declared values and customs documentation.
