Baume & Mercier and Magnum Photos celebrate FotoFest

In March 2008, Baume & Mercier and Magnum Photos, the world’s most prestigious photographers’ cooperative, brought the Moments in Time Exhibit to Houston. Hosted by the Houston Center for Photography in conjunction with FOTOFEST 2008 “Moments In Time” — a two-week exhibition created for the agency’s 60th Anniversary – featured some of the most iconic photographs in the Magnum collection. The highlight of this exhibit was a cocktail party in honor of the 25th anniversary of FOTOFEST where members of Houston society could view both the Moments in Time exhibit as well as a collection of timepieces from Baume & Mercier.

In his first trip to Texas, Baume & Mercier CEO Michel Nieto was in attendance to celebrate the company’s commitment to photography as its new territory of expression, an idea that was presented to the public for the first time last June in New York City at the first showing of Moments in Time. Photography is an accessible art form for all — contemporary and constantly evolving, a trait shared by Baume & Mercier itself. In his address to the audience that evening, Michel Nieto explained “For a number of years, Baume & Mercier has developed a close link between watchmaking and photography, as Baume & Mercier believes both art forms share the search for real and unforgettable moments that make the life of each and every one of us unique.”

Special guests Tia Carrere and her husband, photojournalist Simon Wakelin attended the event as well as prominent members of the community. Magnum photographer Eli Reed took portraits of guests as a remembrance of the evening. Carrere, Wakelin and Reed were each presented with a Baume & Mercier watch in gratitude of their participation in the event and their support of the brand.

The morning following the event, an exclusive preview of the new iléa collection was given during an intimate media breakfast. This was the first time iléa has been shown to journalists in North America, as the line was officially launched in April at the SIHH in Geneva. During the breakfast, Michel Nieto spoke about the distinctiveness of this collection. The original prototype of the iléa had a circular face, but when Nieto held it in his hands he felt that “something just wasn’t right” and the lines needed more attention. It was then the face took on a more subtle oval shape, a very unique feature that makes iléa a thoroughly feminine timepiece.