October 28, 2026
A Racing Chronograph With a Different Attitude
As official timekeeper of the 2026 Gran Premio Storico d’Italia, a prestigious historic racing event held at Italy’s renowned Mugello circuit in October 2026, Baume & Mercier introduced two commemorative watches. Alongside a fairly simple Classima dress model, the brand presented the more sculpted Riviera Chronograph GPSI Limited Edition. Racing chronographs often slip into loud, repetitive design habits, but this piece avoids them. It pairs a restrained take on Italian racing colors with excellent finishing, a dependable movement, and well-balanced proportions.
A Case That Wears Smaller Than Its Size
The integrated stainless steel case measures 41mm across and 13.94mm thick. Those figures may alarm fans of today’s slimmer watches, but on the wrist it feels closer to 39mm. Short, downturned lugs shrink its footprint and wrap neatly around smaller wrists, including the reviewer’s flat 6.75-inch wrist. Much of the bulk sits in the caseback, letting the watch settle between the wrist bones. The broad, faceted dodecagonal bezel visually reduces the case further and shows crisp sunburst brushing and sharply polished chamfers. Its four hex bolts feel somewhat superfluous, though. Enamel-striped pushers, a matching 12-sided crown, a sapphire caseback printed with an aged-tone GPSI logo, and 100 meters of water resistance complete the case.
Elegance Over Track-Day Function
The dial favors beauty over pure function. There is no tachymeter, and the applied Roman numerals, lozenge indices, and semi-skeleton dauphine hands stay polished and dressy. A clean matte white opaline surface replaces the standard Riviera’s wave texture. Forest green rings frame the subdials and the minutes track, while rosso corsa chronograph hands complete the Italian tricolor. Legibility is not optimized, but that suits vintage racing, which celebrates style and spectacle more than outright performance. The 4:30 date window, however, will likely divide enthusiasts.
Proven Mechanics and a Sporty Strap
Inside sits the Valjoux 7753 automatic chronograph, a design dating to the mid-1970s. Its 48-hour power reserve and 28,800 bph beat rate are modest, but the movement is famously reliable and easy to service. It is also nicely decorated with perlage and a Côtes de Genève signed rotor. A fabric-textured black rubber deployant strap adds sportiness and comfort. Because both ends are cut-to-fit, though, later resizing is nearly impossible.
Pricing and Availability
The Riviera Chronograph GPSI Limited Edition is available now through authorized dealers for $5,100 USD. Baume & Mercier has not disclosed how many pieces will be made.
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