Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual Limited Edition 2021
The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual Limited Edition 2021 is a new addition to the brand’s catalogue. The Swiss firm released two bi-compax chronographs back in 2019 and, based on my loupe-wielding examination at the time, I can attest this new model promises to deliver a high quotient of virtue for a comparatively modest sum.
Most watch companies are based in Biel/Bienne, Geneva, La Chaux de Fonds, Le Locle and Neuchâtel. Carl F. Bucherer is different. It is based in the ‘heart of Switzerland’, where the country was founded in 1291. Its HQ is located in Lucerne while its production facility is based in Lengnau. The brand’s location certainly influences its creations, evident with the character and styling of each of its models.
Over the last few years, I have witnessed the company grow, not only in terms of brand awareness but also with the refined composition of its products. Indeed, I have enjoyed several week-long hands-on experiences with the firm’s models and I have always been notably impressed by their specification and overall performance.
In 2019, the luxury marque launched the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual at the Baselworld fair. The watch was offered in two variants: an all steel model with a silver dial and contrasting counters along with a second option in steel with 18-carat rose gold details, including the bezel, crown and pushpieces. I wrote at length about the latter model with its rose and champagne dial. While the steel only model appeared slightly contemporary, the bi-metallic variant exhibited a vintage appearance.
Both models were inspired by a timepiece found in the Carl F. Bucherer archives dating back to the 1950s. This timepiece was a bi-compax design with syringe-style hour and minute hands, a tachymeter scale, a telemeter scale and rectangular pushpieces. The lugs were slim and elegant and the golden case measured 34mm in diameter.
The modern-day models captured some of the period details but encompassed other elements more befitting of the present day. For example, the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual has a 41mm case and the double-domed glazing front of house is made of sapphire crystal.
The silver dial fitted to the steel model of 2019 featured contrasting black counters. This pairing is beloved by watch aficionados and is often termed a ‘panda dial’. Now, the brand from Lucerne has unveiled a new variant in readiness for the forthcoming Watches & Wonders event. The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual Limited Edition 2021 shares the same specification as its older sibling, save for its dial which is black and paired with silver counters, or what is affectionally referred to by horophiles as ‘the reverse panda’.
Based, on my loupe-wielding examination of the 2019 model, the forthcoming model should look fabulous when affixed to the wrist. The watch is endowed with a tachymeter scale, Arabic numerals in a contemporary font, snailed counters and syringe-style hour and minute hands. This composition provides a blend of contemporary and retro details but with all elements coalescing harmoniously.
Carl F. Bucherer has combined an ETA movement with a Dubois Dépraz module. This may provoke some people to be sniffy, however, their horological snobbery would be misplaced. The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual Limited Edition 2021 unites a chronograph, an annual calendar with a month display, a large date and, lastly, based on my encounter with the 2019, superb habillage. Moreover, the watch is priced at £5500 (RRP as at 26.3.2021). If you are unfamiliar with the products of this prestigious marque, I suggest you take a closer look.
The brand’s press release
The Dawn of a New Era: The Triumph of the Chronograph
The chronograph had its great breakthrough in the 1940s. This wristwatch became a symbol for athleticism and dynamism at a time when life seemed to be speeding up at a breakneck pace. It was a trend that continued unabated in the following decade: not only did the tempo of life show no signs of slowing down, but personal horizons were growing broader as well. The chronograph became an icon of its era.
In the ateliers of Carl F. Bucherer, a whole range of wristwatches with stopwatch functionality was produced as early as the late 1940s. Already at that time, the Lucerne-based watchmaker was offering an array of different designs, display formats, and additional functions. These advancements aimed to meet the increasingly individual demands of customers in an increasingly diversified market.
Chronographs with a BiCompax display were particularly sought-after. This type of harmonious dial design features two subdials symmetrically positioned on the horizontal central axis of the watch face. This notable symmetry was also the hallmark of one standout timepiece in the Carl F. Bucherer archives dating back to approximately 1950. Its sporty, elegant design was as groundbreaking then as it is today. The curved design of this vintage piece lent the case – which measured only 34 mm in diameter – and its slim chronograph pushers a sporty flair. The warm gold tone of the case was complemented by a pink-champagne-coloured dial featuring telemeter and tachymeter scales and a russet leather strap. This stylish classic chronograph served as the design inspiration for the newly launched Heritage BiCompax Annual.
A Golden Era: The Postwar Years
In the years following the Second World War, Ernst and Carl Eduard Bucherer – the sons of the founder – took advantage of the general economic upswing to successfully expand the family business. The trained watchmaker and goldsmith continued their father’s tradition of exceptional quality, making it their number one credo.
Technical refinement combined with unique design and useful innovative functions characterized the watches of this era. The process of creating a watch, from the initial idea to the final product, ran like a well-oiled machine. The different departments and areas of expertise within the company worked together to release timepieces that set new standards in the industry and delighted more and more watch aficionados around the world. Tourism was becoming rather popular thanks to a booming economy and growing mobility, which brought increasing numbers of visitors from all over the world to Switzerland. The timepieces from Lucerne soon made a name for themselves on the international stage.
Carl F. Bucherer continues to adhere to the high standards set during this time. Producing the highest-quality timepieces, ensuring the satisfaction of its customers around the world, and setting new standards in the process are still the guiding principles of the watchmaker. The Heritage BiCompax Annual was born in this culture of excellence.
Continuing the Success Story
The style and charm of the new addition to the Heritage collection hark back to this golden era of Carl F. Bucherer’s company history – a history that now spans over 130 years. The Heritage BiCompax Annual is inextricably linked with Carl F. Bucherer’s roots in Lucerne and its tradition of Swiss watchmaking craftsmanship. The watchmaker continues to honour these traditions today by making use of the latest technologies and manufacturing methods. The Heritage BiCompax Annual is the latest in a long line of timepieces that prove that skillfully combining tradition and innovation is part of the Carl F. Bucherer DNA.
Further reading