The New Baume & Mercier Clifton
Baume & Mercier’s new Clifton watch leaves an unforgettable mark on the Year of the Fire Horse.
With its dark grey dial, Baume & Mercier’s latest Clifton model is bolder and more dynamic than ever before because it plays host to the majestic horses of the Year of the Fire Horse, captured mid-gallop on its dial. Let’s take a closer look.
According to Chinese astrology, the Year of the Fire Horse begins on February 17, 2026, and continues until January 7, 2027. Symbolizing freedom, energy, and momentum, the Fire Horse embodies powerful forward motion, much like the captivating energy of a watch movement that draws its strength from the motion of the wrist and operates with flawless precision. When the exuberant horses of the Fire Horse appear on a watch dial, the encounter feels especially meaningful. Baume & Mercier’s Clifton 10839 is a striking example of this symbolic harmony.
The Clifton’s dark grey, minimalist dial features a generously sized date window positioned at 6 o’clock. This is precisely where the horses of the Fire Horse Year reveal themselves. Yes, horses, plural. The dial is designed with multiple horse motifs: instead of numerals on even-numbered dates, individual horse figures take their place. For instance, the first day of the month is displayed as a numeral, while the second appears as a horse motif. Thanks to the wide date aperture, three horse figures and two numerals can be visible at once, creating the illusion of horses galloping across the dial. Seen from another perspective, the days chasing one another transform into horses running at full speed.
Other elements on the black dial echo the golden tones of the horse figures. The hands, hour markers, and the minute track encircling the dial are all rendered in yellow gold hues. Combined with the lacquered dark grey dial, these warm golden accents create a striking contrast, adding depth and visual richness to the watch.
Housed in a 40 mm stainless steel case, the Clifton 10839 features a satin-finished surface whose subtle sheen further enhances the dial’s sense of depth. Both the front and back of the watch are protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and the case back offers a visual spectacle just as compelling as the dial itself.
An Ode to Movement
The sapphire case back is adorned with a gold-toned engraving of a galloping horse. Behind it, the in-house BM13-1975A movement comes into view, bringing the watch to life. This COSC-certified calibre operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Through the transparent case back, the movement’s refined details—such as Côtes de Genève finishing and a skeletonized rotor—can be admired. Offering hours, minutes, central seconds, and date functions, the movement boasts an impressive 120-hour power reserve.
The final touch to the Clifton 10839 comes in the form of a black alligator leather strap. Yet another refined detail awaits discovery on its underside: the inner lining of the strap is finished in red, one of the most symbolic colors in Chinese culture. From dial to strap, China’s deep-rooted traditional elements subtly reveal themselves throughout the watch. What remains is simply to lose oneself in the depth of the dark dial while following the passage of time or to fully embrace the sense of freedom evoked by the galloping horses.
Limited to just 100 pieces, the Clifton 10839 can be explored in detail on the brand’s official website.
