Baume & Mercier pays tribute to the music with the ‘Un Violon sur le Sable’ Limited 25th anniversary Edition

Since 1830, Baume & Mercier has embodied the values ??of authenticity, conviviality, sharing, and long-lasting value. Falling witness to all celebrations as weddings, births, anniversaries; the Swiss Maison has become a special partner to the precious moments of life. These values ??harmonize perfectly with the life philosophy of seaside living reflected in the Hamptons, a place where families and friends enjoy to gather. The exquisite seaside resort of Royan, France, is steeped in this same magic and bounty, in great part generated by the classical music festival, Un Violon sur le Sable, which annually hosts the very best musicians from great institutions like Opéra de Paris, to the delight of all ages. To celebrate the first quarter century of the festival’s existence, the Maison d’Horlogerie is becoming an enthusiastic event sponsor and has created a limited-edition watch to celebrate 25 years of emotion, demonstrating its devotion to shared moments of joy.

Alain Zimmermann, CEO, Baume & Mercier

The Classima collection is ideal in every circumstance, from city to shore. This limited edition of twenty-five numbered watches pays tribute to music: Curved violin sound holes are cut out of the dial’s center, revealing the automatic movement of this exceptional watch. Classima is firmly rooted in tradition with refined Roman numerals, and reflects an inner, unostentatious richness. The Un Violon sur le Sable series is presented in a 42mm steel case with automatic movement and date displayed at 3 o’clock. The style of this exclusive model is enhanced by a black alligator strap with entirely square scales, and a crown engraved with the emblematic Baume & Mercier Phi symbol. The watch case back bears the words “25ème anniversaire” in French and an engraved festival logo. This model masterfully combines watchmaking savoir-faire and the melodious magic of a memorable event. Further, this anniversary watch comes in a unique case created especially for the Un Violon sur le Sable limited-edition model and is accompanied by a bonus CD of the event’s theme music. To mark the occasion, Baume & Mercier will present Paris Opéra violinist Patrice Mondon with the very first Un Violon sur le Sable watch. This talented artist was the violinist for whom the event was named, present at the very first event 25 years ago on the Royan beach. He remains devoted to the festival still, and never misses the summer spectacle of Un Violon sur le Sable.

Un Violon sur le Sable invites both seasoned and amateur music lovers to sit on the sand facing the ocean to enjoy the greatest works ever heard in such an exquisite setting. The atmosphere is truly enchanting. Royan is a petite seaside paradise that has been a getaway for families since the nineteenth century, a city represented by charming, blue-and-white-striped tents that today reflect a singular vacation lifestyle.

The Hamptons, Baume & Mercier’s land of inspiration, has been a getaway for the entire world, a place to refresh body and soul, since the 1920s. This magical place embodies a casual elegance popular with families looking for a quiet sanctuary far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Many artists, such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Andy Warhol, as well as great writers, like James Fenimore Cooper, Herman Melville, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, immersed themselves in this idyllic atmosphere. Royan, a city of art and history, is a French mirror of the Hamptons on the other side of the Atlantic! The same spirit of conviviality and creativity thrives here. It is also a place that has hosted many distinguished guests, such as Sacha Guitry, Yvonne Printemps, Marie Marquet, and Jacques-Henri Lartigue. Even Pablo Picasso set up his studio here to paint his “Still Life with Sheep’s Skull” and famed “Café des Bains”, a coffee bar he could see from the window of his villa. The Côte de Beauté cultivates this artistic connection, the charm of the beautiful family homes where loved ones gather, the serenely beautiful beaches, and the ceaseless music of the ocean.

Spectators find seats along the beach as soon as the site opens to the public, towels form a giant colorful patchwork, families and friends greet one another, wreathed in smiles. Children play, picnics are brought out, people read, chat, and have fun. The beach becomes alive. Backstage curtains ripple, notes reverberate under the sun, excitement builds; on the sand, people of all ages are in attendance, loved ones, families, and friends. The seaside becomes a grand reunion site. The stage is at last revealed, all eyes turn to the orchestra, a hush falls over the crowd, and emotion sweeps through the 50,000 people who have come to experience an unforgettable spectacle of sight and sound.

The Baume & Mercier story reads like a true saga, one dating back to 1830. From generation to generation, through siblings and friends, through sophisticated complications and visionary innovations, the family dream continues to bring great things to life and Baume & Mercier still embodies an ideal that has been expressed in the Maison d’Horlogerie’s watchword: “Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality.” It was with this same daring that Philippe Tranchet, creator and director of the festival, suggested to one of his violinist friends that the latter don a tuxedo and play a few classical music pieces on the beach of Grande Conche in Royan. Twenty-five years later, Un Violon sur le Sable draws nearly 80 classical musicians, most from the Opéra National de Paris under the direction of Jérôme Pillement. The orchestra plays excerpts from classical and lyric works, great opera arias, film scores, and original music. Each year, a surprise light-music artist is invited to share a few notes with the orchestra. Celebrated performers like Maurane, Laurent Voulzy, Olivia Ruiz, and Christophe Maé have graced the stage of Un Violon sur le Sable to share a song or two.