In a Hamptons state of mind

What do Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and George Costanza have in common?

Well, the two artists visited the Hamptons; while the archetypal TV loser lies about having a house in that fabled place in Long Island, New York in an episode of Seinfeld. Warhol and Pollock must have sought inspiration in its locale during their sojourns. Why? Maybe if you consider how the area (try this passage spoken dramatically as the J. Peterman character in the same show) “echoes the seaside lifestyle perfectly… with their magnificent residences rising at the foot of the dunes, easy living coupled with intense artistic, cultural and social activity, and a light unlike that found anywhere else.” Bring a cashmere sweater for the sudden windy nip. Bring an iPod brimming with bossa nova, Larry Carlton and some electric marimba music. 

And a light unlike that found anywhere else...   

Yes, it’s so coolly romantic and has this idyllic charm about it. But Baume & Mercier North East Asia managing director Christian Bartosch says the Hamptons could be anywhere. Its appeal goes beyond it being just a speck on the map, the light at the end of Highway 27.

Baume & Mercier North East Asia managing director Christian Bartosch. Photo by JOEY MENDOZA

“The Hamptons can be everywhere. They can be in Germany, they can be in Boracay. The concept is global, I should say. The Hamptons is a state of mind, a certain lifestyle,” he says.

Bartosch is in Manila to promote the latest collection from Baume & Mercier (B&M): timepieces that would complement classy evening attire, as well as deftly put-together casual getups.  

Baume & Mercier is one of the five oldest watch brands with uninterrupted history — for 181 years, mind you. It is one of the finest houses of Swiss watch-making. “And one of the most prestigious,” adds Lucerne managing director Emerson Yao. Lucerne is the exclusive distributor of Baume & Mercier in the Philippines.

The brand’s latest collection was recently featured in an exhibit at the Greenbelt 5 Fashion Walk. Featured were B&M Hampton timepieces, which are truly emblematic of the relaxed seaside living.

Bartosch points out, “In packaging, we even used real sailcloth to give it (more authenticity). We see ourselves as a family-oriented brand and we organized our catalogue as a photo album, because we really want to share special moments with our customers.”

Got to love the classics: B&M Classima

The B&M Hampton is a line dedicated to both sexes —chronographs with two-tone warm masculine hues for men, and small, diamond-encrusted wonders for women. 

Inspired by the 1940s museum piece, the Hampton kept its highly-distinctive satin domed volume, curved case side and enhanced curved sapphire crystal while adorning a modern refined sword hands.

The ladies’ timepieces carry a signature “jodhpur”-shape wristband made in satin or alligator. The set case consists of 80 diamonds and case back decorated with a “sundeck décor” which can be personalized with words of affection. The men’s timepieces have a straight alligator strap with an adjustable triple folding clasp as its piece de resistance.

Bartosch recalls, “My first Baume & Mercier watch was a chrono-shaped Hampton with a copper dial. My wife bought it as a gift. It’s more than 14 years ago. It’s a bit too small for me now, so my wife wears it (laughs). We love it so much, so we keep it in the family. I’m sure one of my daughters will inherit it (eventually).”

The other pillars of the brand are as impressive.

Cape of good hope: B&M Capeland

The iconic Linea, which has echoes of a ’50s model, is an ultra-feminine watch with an enlarged domed crystal shape and interchangeable bracelet, which can be easily changed to suit an independent woman’s mood or style (from metal to satin or black calfskin single strap).

Bartosch explains, “In the morning, the woman can decide what kind of watch she should wear on that day. Depends on the mood of the lady: if she wants to be more casual, she puts on a leather strap. If she wants to be more chic, more elegant, she takes the steel strap. You can change straps yourself. Even I can do it, and I have big hands.”

The Capeland is a contemporary reinterpretation of the historic single-push chronograph from 1948. It has an ergonomic shape that suggests seaside living, and it also promotes a relaxed modern sporty feel.

Bartosch wears a Capeland now.

“The Capeland is really the perfect match for my age. It’s very, very classy. You could wear it with a suit. But it’s casual enough that you could also wear it with jeans and a polo.”

Classima combines the simplicity of self-winding mechanical movements and modern features such as dual time zone, power reserve and sapphire crystal case back displaying its oscillating weight.

Linear logic: B&M Linea

“For us, the series of changes the brand has undergone is evolutionary, but it can be considered revolutionary for other brands. We’ve invested heavily in research to bring the brand to the 21st century — to make it up to date, to make it fresh. But for every new product line, we get inspiration from our past. With the regular collection, you can buy a piece of history at a very affordable price — that’s quite unique for a brand with our heritage.”

And the “Seaside Living” credo is an idea to anchor the B&M slogan: “Life is about Moments.”

Bartosch explains, “The seaside is the place where people actually have time to spend with their loved ones. And we want to be with people during their special moments. Not just in the boardroom.”

And what are Bartosch’s special moments?

“I was present at the birth of every single one of all my children,” he concludes. “I have two daughters and one son. Baume & Mercier matches my own values. I am responsible for a big region, so the few minutes that I have I want to make sure they’re spent with the people close to me.”

We are happy to report that none of Bartosch’s kids are named — prepare yourself for another Seinfeld reference — “Seven.”

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Baume & Mercier watches are exclusively distributed by Lucerne and are available at Adora in Greenbelt 5.

A league of its own: The Hamptons in Long Island, New York became emblematic of Baume & Mercier’s “Seaside Living” credo, consistent with its “Life is about Moments” philosophy.