At Baselworld last month, Swiss watchmaker, Carl F. Bucherer, which is owned by the Lucerne-based retailer, Bucherer, launched a timepiece that effectively changes the direction of the company in a few ways.
First, the dial now reads “Lucerne 1888,” which I am told is part of a new re-branding strategy that focuses on the roots of the company. Second, the manufacture has added a few conservatively sized, retro-style watch collections to their line-up. With plans for more in the future, presumably.
Basically, with the Manero Peripheral, they have created a new version of their awesome in-house made peripheral rotor movement and built it into a simple, classic timepiece. Clearly, a departure from recent designs, drawing on their rich origins.
The new caliber CFB A2050, features a patented peripheral rotor, that as the name suggests, sits on the peripheral area of the movement. The benefit is that it looks like a manually wound caliber when you look through the clear caseback – that is with no obstructions. And no need to hand-wind it, as the rotor winds the mainspring, in both directions, as it moves back and forth around the outside edge of the movement.
The 33 jewel movement bridges are decorated with Geneva stripes and chamfered and polished edges. The power reserve is 55-hours. Additionally, the watch is tested and adjusted to chronometer levels of accuracy (average rate of -4/+6), which is fairly standard at this price point.
Crafted in either steel or rose gold, the case measures 40.6 mm x 11.2 mm and features sapphire crystals front and back. Water-resistance is 30 meters. The dial features applied raised wedge hour makers and faceted lance hands. In addition to its central hours and minutes hands, the new Manero displays the small seconds at 6 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock. There is an option for a matte black dial or porcelain white. And for the steel model, you can opt for a stainless steel bracelet instead of the leather if you prefer.
Verdict
As a big fan of the Carl F. Bucherer peripheral movement, I am so glad to see it inside of a 40 mm diameter watch case. And so, I am already interested in seeing what variations they have planned for the future.
