Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral BigDate Watch Review (2022)
The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral BigDate shares some elements in common with its siblings, however, it looks decidedly new. What differentiates this model from many of its contemporaries is the composition of the dial and its various technical details.
Regional differences
The Lowlands, the Highlands, the Islands, Speyside, Islay and Campbeltown are the recognised whisky regions of Scotland. Despite all Scotch whiskies originating from ‘north of the border’, they can often exhibit different characteristics.
Most Swiss watches are made in the French-speaking regions of the landlocked nation, including the Cantons of Geneva, Neuchâtel and Vaud. In addition, some watches are made in Biel/Bienne, a bilingual town located in the Canton of Bern. However, should you venture elsewhere in Switzerland you will discover there are only a handful of watchmaking firms located in non-French speaking areas.
Carl F. Bucherer seit 1888
Carl F. Bucherer was founded in Lucerne in 1888. It is the only watch Manufacture to be located in ‘the heart of Switzerland’, where the country was founded in 1291. Many administrative tasks are performed at the company’s headquarters in Lucerne, while the firm’s production facilities are located in Lengnau, approximately 60 miles away. Carl F. Bucherer’s workforce speak German. Not the ‘Hochdeutsch’ we were taught at school, but a local dialect capable of bamboozling a native German speaker.
The city looks across Lake Lucerne and nestles beneath soaring mountains. I don’t know whether it is the history, language or landscapes that influence the composition of every CFB model, but they certainly have a distinctive character all of their own.
Carl F. Bucherer – a prowess for innovation
In 2016, Carl F. Bucherer unveiled a new family of self-winding movements, the CFBA2000, all featuring a bi-directional rotor. However, the Lucerne-based firm also ventured off-piste, adding peripheral rotors to these movements.
By adopting this design, the wearer could enjoy unrestricted views of the movement bridges, akin to a hand-wound calibre but with the convenience of automatic winding. The bridges were adorned with Côtes de Genève motif and sported gleaming bevels. Both the jewel and screw sinks were polished to a sparkling conclusion. Interestingly, the bridges eschewed curves, favouring a straight, angular design, bestowing them with a unique character.
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheal (2018)
Two years later in 2018, Carl F. Bucherer unveiled the Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral. This high-end watch, featuring the CFB T3000 movement was, once again, endowed with a peripheral rotor. However, this watch broke new ground with its suspended floating tourbillon. Rather than using upper and lower bridges, the tourbillon was supported by three ceramic ball bearings, positioned out of view. When the watch was examined at close quarters, it seemed as though the tourbillon carriage was floating mid-air.
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Minute Repeater (2021)
Last year (2021), the Swiss marque released its most technically ambitious watch, the Manero Minute Repeater. It harnessed some of the aforementioned know-how, including the peripheral rotor, peripheral suspended floating tourbillon and, located just above the hammers, positioned dial-side, a ‘peripheral mounted regulator’.
Although Carl F. Bucherer has been in operation since 1888, its prowess for innovation has really come to the fore over the last 10 years.
Carl F. Bucherer – new creations
More recently, the company has recently released the Manero Peripheral BigDate. Housed in a 41.6mm stainless steel case, this new creation shares some facial features with its siblings such as the ManeroPowerReserve Blue Dial. However, the new model still looks decidedly fresh, courtesy of the new light blue and dark grey dial options available.
Firstly, the dial of this latest creation appears cleaner. The minute track is less cluttered and the indications, now sans borders, seem less fussy. The dauphine-style hour and minute hands on this latest model have renounced luminescent treatment and, by default, appear gentler in temperament.
Carl F. Bucherer has not chosen to place each indication in the ‘usual place’. The power-reserve indicator is at 3 o’clock, the day display is positioned opposite and the large date display sits adjacent 11 o’clock. I find the topography of this dial endearing. Nobody could ever accuse this Swiss marque of plagiarism. It has gone its own way and looks much better for it.
The case of the ManeroPowerReserve Blue Dial measured 42.5 mm in diameter, whereas, the new Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral BigDate is a tad leaner, measuring 41.6 mm. And lastly, the movement of the former model, the Caliber CFB A1011 has been supplanted by the Caliber CFB A2011.
Beyond its extraordinary capacity for design and innovation, Carl F. Bucherer repeatedly demonstrates that it makes timepieces infused with a notable degree of horological probity. For example, the Caliber CFB A2011 rejects the ubiquitous index-adjusted balance, favouring a free-sprung balance instead. This latter system is far superior as the watch is less susceptible to positional errors and the rate stability is superior.
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral BigDate – closing thoughts
In some parts of Scotland, the whiskies taste ‘peaty’ or smoky. For some connoisseurs, they prove to be exquisite expressions of Scotch whisky, while for other discerning individuals, the taste may not be to their liking. Similarly, Swiss watches vary in character, which in some cases is influenced by their place of origin. In the case of Carl F. Bucherer, many horophiles appreciate the brand’s originality, engineering integrity and impressive quality. Indeed, this company makes timepieces that offer a distinctive taste that’s hard to resist.
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral BigDate – the brand’s press release
Carl F. Bucherer has once again demonstrated its leadership in the field of peripheral technology with the introduction of the Manero Peripheral BigDate, marking the Lucerne-based Swiss watch manufacturer’s second launch of the year to feature its signature innovation. The striking contemporary timepiece is equipped with the brand’s caliber CFB A2011, an automatic mechanical movement with a peripheral rotor. The Manero Peripheral BigDate was created for women and men who will appreciate the eye-catching dial distinguished by its contrasting small-seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. The effect is complemented by a power reserve indicator at three o’clock, a day-of-the-week aperture at 9 o’clock, and, finally, the feature that gives the watch its name: the big date window at 10 o’clock.
Reflecting the Heritage of a Great Brand
The Manero Peripheral BigDate is based on all the characteristics that define Carl F. Bucherer today: a long history, a proud heritage, a founding family, a cutting-edge manufacturer, the skills of some of the world’s most talented watchmakers, and, of course, the innovation that has established the brand as the industry’s leader in peripheral technology. The Manero Peripheral BigDate marked the brand’s second launch in 2021 of a watch featuring its peripheral technology following the successful debut of the celebrated Manero Minute Repeater Symphony earlier in the year.
Carl F. Bucherer’s CEO, Sascha Moeri, is excited about the new watch. He says, “We’re pleased to be launching our second peripheral technology watch this year. The success of the Manero Minute Repeater Symphony raised awareness of this important part of our brand identity in April and the Manero Peripheral BigDate continues to underscore both our manufacture competence and our spirit of innovation. The Manero Peripheral BigDate is an outstanding timepiece that perfectly blends design, material, and technology and enhances our Maison & Heritage brand world. It elegantly adds to the understanding of what we mean when we talk about contemporary Swiss watchmaking excellence made of Lucerne.”
A Contemporary Interpretation of a Compelling History
While Carl F. Bucherer has taken inspiration from its own archival timepieces, including the popular and colourful Manero PowerReserve Mr Blue and Mr Green watches, the Manero Peripheral BigDate is a resolutely contemporary watch. The manufacturer has created the Manero Peripheral BigDate in a 41.6 mm stainless steel case. Both sides of its domed sapphire crystal have an anti-reflective coating, which enhances the watch’s readability. The sapphire crystal case back offers a clear view of the CFB A2011 caliber, the in-house mechanical movement that powers the new timepiece.
The Manero Peripheral BigDate has been interpreted in two distinct versions. One has a light blue dial with a contrasting small-seconds subdial and power reserve indication in beige, followed by a big date and day-of-the-week aperture in the same colour. The other has been crafted with a dark grey dial with a contrasting olive-green small-seconds subdial and power reserve indication, followed by a big date and day-of-the-week aperture in the same colour. Each dial option is presented on either a textile strap matching the subdial or on a robust stainless steel bracelet.