French 18K white gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1970

Gold open faced lever pocket watch
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A French 18 carat white gold open faced pocket watch, made by Baume & Mercier for Chaumet, circa 1970. This watch has a mechanical hand wound movement with a lever escapement, signed and featuring calibre BM1050. The grey dial features black painted baton hour markers and grey baton hands, with Chaumet painted on it. The round, solid 18 carat white gold open faced case has a textured, embossed bezel, a U shaped bow, a fluted crown, and a matching embossed clipped back.
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Diameter: 40 mm
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Weight: 40.5 g
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Signed: Chaumet
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Traces of wear from use, crown loose from movement, and non functional movement.
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Baume & Mercier
Founded by brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume in Les Bois, Switzerland, as Frères Baume, the company quickly expanded internationally, opening a London branch called Baume Brothers, famous for quality pocket watches and chronographs.
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In 1918, William Baume partnered with Geneva jeweller Paul Mercier to establish Baume & Mercier in Geneva, combining watchmaking excellence with jewellery design.
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In 1964, Piaget acquired the brand, shifting it toward ultra thin watches and luxury dress pieces. Today, it is part of the Richemont Group.
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This watch exemplifies a mid-to-late 20th century collaboration between Swiss watchmaker Baume & Mercier, which supplied ultra slim movements such as the Calibre BM1050, and Parisian jeweller Chaumet, whose cases were designed to meet haute joaillerie standards.