Baume & Mercier’s story begins in 1830. Brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume opened a comptoir horloger (watch dealership) in Les Bois, a village in the Swiss Jura.
The Baume brothers’ business grew rapidly, and true to their motto, “accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality”, they forged a fine reputation through the creation of exceptional timepieces featuring the latest innovations.   André Vassort.  Little is known about the French jeweler André Vassort, which is so often the case with the craftsmen and workshops behind the famous Maisons of the Place Vendôme. All around Paris, tucked away in discreet buildings, skilled and highly creative master craftsmen worked anonymously for their high profile clients. His maker's mark can be found sparingly on jewels for Cartier, Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels. He worked from the 1950s, often experimenting with the use of 18 carat yellow gold and coloured gemstones.