April 2004 Timepieces/New Products Swing into Spring Early choices for 2004 This month retailers flock to Switzerland to see new watches. Before you go, or if you can’t make it, here’s a taste of the thousands of new models (not including Suunto) on display in Basel or Geneva. – by Michael Thompson Baume & Mercier adds a women’s model to its hot-selling Hampton Spirit. This polished steel timepiece has a cambered, screen-shaped case, screwdown case back and applied numerals with a Phi symbol at 12 o’clock. It comes with a black alligator strap ($1,495 suggested retail) or steel bracelet ($1,695). Baume & Mercier, New York City; (212) 909-4300, www.baume-and-mercier.com. Swatch pays homage to the 75th anniversary of a comic book legend. Belgian artist Georges Remi created young reporter and detective Tintin in 1929. This model – one of two – shows Tintin’s face on the dial with hair extending onto the case. Swatch, Weehawken, NJ; (201) 271-1400, www.swatch.com. Breguet’s newest Heritage model 5840 is a tonneau-case automatic with large date (the brand’s first model with the date displayed in two numerals). This 18k men’s model features a guilloché silvered gold dial and blued steel hands. A yellow gold model is available. Breguet, Weehawken, NJ; (201) 271-1400, www.breguet.com. The Suunto n3 obtains up-to-date information via radiowaves from MSN Direct’s Internet subscription service. It also has a shock-resistant case and scratch-resistant mineral crystal over a large liquid crystal display screen. It’s water-resistant to 330 feet and has a lithium-ion battery and charger. Suggested retail, $299. Suunto, Carlsbad, CA; (800) 543-9124, www.suunto.com. Corum’s new Padlock for women is crafted in polished steel and has a chain-link bracelet with the company’s signature key attached in charm-bracelet fashion. The trapeze-shaped case comes with or without diamonds. The dials are mother-of-pearl in sky-blue, pale pink or white with diamond markers. Corum USA, Irvine, CA; (949) 458-4200, www.corum.ch. From the new LeVian Time collection, this chronograph features diamond-set lugs and pink crocodile strap. The dial is pink mother-of-pearl. Suggested retail, $1,395. LeVian Corp., New York City; (212) 575-0318.