Circa 1950 Baume & Mercier Genève Ref. 3916 18K Yellow Gold Chronograph
With its generous 18K gold case and unusually fresh silvered dial, this Baume & Mercier chronograph brings the clear, purposeful character of the post-war years to the wrist. After some eight decades, it still feels remarkably crisp and composed, which makes the experience of wearing such quality particularly satisfying. Its Landeron 48 movement and balanced scales give it the appeal of a historical timepiece made not only to be admired, but to be used.
Jewellery type: Gentleman's wristwatch with hand-wound chronograph.
Condition: Very good condition with light wear consistent with age.
The silvered dial remains notably crisp, with only limited signs of age visible.
No evidence of a redial was observed.
Fitted with a brown leather strap that is not presented as original, and a base-metal gold-coloured buckle.
The watch has been fully overhauled by a watchmaker and is in good working order, including the chronograph.
Like any vintage watch, it is not expected to offer the precision of a modern timekeeper and may gain or lose several minutes per day.
Country of origin: Switzerland.
Style: Post-war functional design, centred on a balanced two-register chronograph layout and a multi-scale instrument dial.
Period: circa late 1940s to early 1950s.
Material: 18K yellow gold, touchstone tested, with an acrylic crystal; marked “18K” and “0.750”.
Additional information: The round case has long, curved lugs, a snap-on case back,
chronograph pushers at two and four o’clock, and a winding crown at three.
Its Landeron 48, 17-jewel movement drives a central chronograph seconds hand,
a 30-minute counter and small seconds. The outer tachymeter scale expresses elapsed time as a rate,
while the inner red telemeter scale is intended to estimate distance from an observable event and its sound.
Maker: Baume & Mercier Genève, signed “Baume & Mercier Genève” on the dial.
Hallmarks: Case number 103697 inside the case back and reference number 3916 to the outside; also bearing a Swiss gold hallmark and casemaker's code 117.
Dimensions: Case diameter approximately 37–37.5 mm (1.46–1.48 in), excluding the crown; 39.3 mm (1.55 in), including the crown. See photograph with a millimetre scale.
Adin Reference Nº: 26085-00242
Photography © Adin Fine Antique & Vintage Jewellery.
