Television presenter James May spotted wearing a Baume & Mercier

James May, the long-serving co-presenter of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, has never been one to chase horological status symbols for their own sake. Spotted here outdoors in a rugby shirt, hands clasped, May wears a Baume & Mercier Capeland Chronograph on a black alligator-pattern leather strap — a watch that rewards the informed eye without screaming for attention from the uninformed one.

The Baume & Mercier Capeland Chronograph, references in the 65xxx and MV045xxx series, was introduced around 1998–2000 and represents a high point in the brand's modern catalogue. The stainless steel case measures approximately 38–40mm, featuring the model's signature lug geometry with subtle angular chamfering at the four corners — visible clearly in the reference image. The silver opaline dial carries bold black Arabic numerals, three white sub-registers at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock for the chronograph minutes, running seconds, and hours respectively, plus a date window at 3. Movement inside is the proven ETA 2894-2 automatic column-wheel chronograph calibre, offering 42 hours of power reserve — a solid, serviceable heart that Breitling, TAG Heuer and others also trusted during this era.

From a collector standpoint, the Capeland occupies an interesting position. It is not a grail piece, but it is genuinely well-made and honest — a watch that never pretended to be more than it was. The dial finishing, case proportions and legibility hold up well against much pricier contemporaries. Grey market prices have remained accessible, making it an intelligent entry point into vintage-adjacent Swiss chronograph collecting.

May's choice is consistent with what we know of his sensibility: he has spoken publicly about preferring watches with mechanical interest over badge value. The Capeland, with its transparent case back revealing the ETA movement and its clean functional layout, is exactly the kind of piece an engineer-minded presenter would gravitate toward.

On the current secondary market, clean examples with original straps or bracelets trade in the $800–$1,400 range depending on condition and box-papers status. A compelling buy for the collector who wants a legitimate Swiss automatic chronograph without the four-figure premium attached to more fashionable names.