History: Carl F. Bucherer, essential watchmaking - part 2

Carl F. Bucherer, the watch brand, has a very special history. The journey of the brand began with a man called Carl Friedrich Bucherer. He opened his first watch and jewelry store in Lucerne, Switzerland in 1888. The company has remained in the hands of the family ever since. The watches of this particular brand do not merely show the time – they tell an interesting story of visionary courage and entrepreneurial spirit and stand for values such as continuity, passion, independence and technological perfection. The name of the man soon became synonymous with quality and originality. A tradition his two sons, one a jeweler, one a watch maker, carried on, melding the best of both their crafts. As early as 1919, and against convention, the watch brand launched their very first ladies’ watch collection in Art Déco style.

To this day, every timepiece in every collection has a very unique character that reflects the origins and deep-rooted values of the brand, daring to resist their allure. The outstanding watchmaking skills were passed on from generation to generation and perfected over time. As important as tradition is, the brand never ceased to strive after new, groundbreaking production innovations. The best example is the unique caliber CFB A1000 movement that was developed in-house with painstaking attention to detail. What started as a small, family owned business has developed into an impressive endeavor that has long since established its position within an elite and exclusive group of watch manufacturers who design, develop and produce their own movements.

Carl F. Bucherer First ladies watch 1919

Growth and independence

Carl F. Bucherer as an independent company, is headed by CEO Sascha Moeri who has gathered an amazingly capable and efficient as well as creative work force of 150 people worldwide. However, the brand, with its strong sense of identity, has about 400 points of sale around the globe. 100 of them alone are in China – one of Carl F. Bucherer’s most important and most successful markets. This is largely due to the widespread vastly efficient network the brand established there. Another important market is the US, with about 80 partners on the ground. Watch connoisseurs and enthusiasts all over the world appreciate the high quality standards and unique designs of the brand. This is one of the many reasons why the top retailers and highest ranking dealers are happy to be associated with the brand that belongs to the very best in the world by their own right.

The caliber CFB A1000

Excellence in watchmaking

Aficionados are gradually becoming aware of the fact that the brand Carl F. Bucherer actually has its own manufacture in Lengnau. Owning their own manufacture has allowed the brand to produce the Carl F. Bucherer caliber, the famous CFB A1011 with its distinctive peripheral oscillating mass. The company also uses its own workshops and state-of-the-art machine tools to manufacture the functional modules and additional plates. This allows Carl F. Bucherer to create original complications, like the Grande Date, a traditional specialty of the brand, or the famous Semainier, the Triple GMT, and the Chronographe GMT.

Carl F. Bucherer Manero ChronoPerpetual Only Watch 2015

Iconic timepieces for posterity

There can be no doubt left that all Carl F. Bucherer watches possess a unique, appealing character. Yet there are a few pieces that are especially popular and stand out even among the exceptional timepieces the brand produces – such as the Manero Tourbillon, which is a remarkable example of outstanding technology and design. An opening in the dial at 6 o’clock provides a view of the intricate mechanisms within the case. Another model of the family, the Manero PowerReserve, perfectly blends functionality and design. Its distinguishing feature is the crescent-shaped display that shows the remaining power stored within the watch. Furthermore, Carl F. Bucherer expanded the famous Patravi TravelTec family in the year 2015.

Carl F. Bucherer Manero Power reserve

The watches of this particular line make ideal companions for travels around the world, as they provide clear time orientation and convenient functionality, largely due to the unique combination of the three-time zone display and chronograph. There are models within the family that are designed for specific purposes and need, for example the Patravi ScubaTec, which is a brilliant diver’s watch. Ladies will also find matchless timepieces within the brand Carl F. Bucherer. The Pathos family has been a pure ladies’ watch line from the very beginning. It was expanded to include models in rose gold recently, but most importantly, the Pathos watches are incredible samples of the creative genius that arose from blending watch and jewelry making. Another Carl F. Bucherer watch family singularly for ladies is Alacria, a fanciful and delightful homage to unadulterated femininity.

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec in stainless on the wrist

Friends of the brand

A number of celebrities have become friends of the brand, as it were. We know, for instance, that actor Sylvester Stallone wore a Carl F. Bucherer, which contributed to the brand's fame, and still wears one today, as do Arnold Schwarzenegger and colleague Dylan McDermott, who won a Golden Globe for his characterization of Bobby Donnell in the television series The Practice. Actor Joe Mantegna also wore the brand in the TV series Criminal Minds and two models make a splashing appearance on-screen in the blockbuster The Fast and the Furious 6. Most recently, Carl F. Bucherer appeared in the spotlight in the blockbuster movie John Wick, starring among others world famous actors Keanu Reeves and Willem Dafoe. For this breathtaking action movie, the models Manero AutoDate Patravi and ChronoGrade were chosen.

Front picture: One of the patents filed by Carl F. Bucherer- The monopusher mechanism of the Patravi TravelTec, which is integrated into the case, permits the parallel display of three time zones (Year: 2005)

Read first part of Carl F. Bucherer's history: Visionary watchmaking