Carl F Bucherer Manero PowerReserve Blue Dial
The Carl F Bucherer Manero PowerReserve Blue Dial features a vivid sapphire blue dial, large date display, small seconds, day display and power reserve indicator.
This detailed review of the Carl F Bucherer Manero PowerReserve Blue Dial includes live images, specification details and pricing.
In a horological world populated with discussion about complications it is very simple to overlook the issue of dial colour. However, the colour of a dial is often the primary reason for purchasing a particular timepiece.
In recent times blue dials have been en vogue. I must confess that I thought this would be a passing trend but I have been proven wrong. The blue dial is alive and well and its popularity shows no signs of waning.
While there are a plethora of watches with blue dials, Carl F Bucherer has released a blue-toned dial unlike no other. The sapphire blue dial is a captivating shade which resembles the coveted, precious gemstone, proffering a prepossessing aesthetic that is hard to ignore.
Carl F Bucherer has also unveiled an emerald green dial and it was this variant I anticipated receiving from the brand. However, I am glad the Swiss watch company sent the sapphire blue version as I found it particularly eye-catching when affixed to my arm.
The dial
The blue dialscape of this Manero PowerReserve is adorned with a sunray motif which causes light to toy with the blue hues and cast episodes of light and shade. The darkest shades of blue, near the periphery of the dial, give way to pale shades near the centre. This can be accentuated depending on the angle the watch is held.
The hour and minute hands are sword-shaped and lined with luminescent fill. This is slightly unusual as the Manero PowerReserve resembles a dress watch in many respects, where typically luminescent treatment is absent. Nevertheless, I found the nocturnal emission very useful.
Applied indexes encircle the dialscape. They resemble isosceles triangles, guiding the eyes to the central area of the dial. Adjacent each index is a luminous dot, augmenting night-time legibility.
Adjacent 3 o’clock is a power reserve indicator. The arcing trajectory of the silver-toned hand virtually kisses 2 o’clock when the mainspring is fully wound.
In the lower portion of the dial, above 6 o’clock, is a small seconds display presented on a sunken subdial, while at 9 o’clock there is a day display. The rectangular shaped aperture features rounded corners and is outlined in white.
Located at 10 o’clock is a large date display. The twin apertures are framed in white, highlighting the information presented and assisting the wearer when interpreting the display.
The topography of the dial layout is superb. The location of each indication is optimally placed to facilitate ease of read-off. However, I have to return to the blue hue of the dial which is truly spectacular and conveniently coalesces with a myriad of clothing ensembles.
The case
A watch blessed with such a beautiful dial could potentially have a comparatively disappointing case. Thankfully, there is nothing disappointing about the case on this splendid timepiece.
Measuring 42.5mm in diameter with a case height of 12.54mm, the Manero PowerReserve will suit a large cross-section of society. Furthermore, the short lugs with sharply tapering design, urge the strap to encircle all but the smallest of wrists. As a gentleman with above average sized wrists, I found the strap conferred a very comfortable marriage with my arm.
The case treatment blends highly polished steel with satin-brushed surfaces. The bezel, the bevelled edges of the lugs and the crown are highly polished, while all other surfaces are satin-brushed.
Every element of the case is wonderfully considered. The bezel is concave, creating interesting shadows to occupy its form. The bevelled edge between the horizontal and vertical flanks of the case are highly polished, creating delightful soupçons of gleaming metal.
The Swiss watch brand has equipped the Carl F Bucherer Manero PowerReserve Blue Dial with a splendid self-winding movement, therefore it is fitting that the dorsal flank of the case is equipped with a pane of sapphire crystal.
The movement
The Carl F Bucherer Manero PowerReserve Blue Dial features the ‘Manufacture Caliber CFB A1001’. This movement is part of a family of no-compromise movements.
I have a penchant for hand-wound movements as they afford unrestricted views of the various components at play. Nevertheless, I concede that self-winding movements offer greater convenience. Now though, Carl F Bucherer offers a third way.
The ‘Manufacture Caliber CFB A1001’ is a self-winding movement which features a ‘periphery-mounted rotor’. This oscillating mass is bi-directional and is made of tungsten, a dense material allowing the rotor to be very slender. Most pertinently, the peripheral oscillating mass allows virtually unhindered views of the movement bridges.
The movement is equipped with Dynamic Shock Absorption (DSA), a shock protection system to ‘absorb shocks to the rotor’. The movement is also equipped with a patented Central Dual Adjusting System (CDAS), ‘a central adjustment mechanism with a central control element for the balance and escapement’.
Appraising the design of the movement, the bridges are very angular with straight edges. The balance wheel is freely visible, indulging my penchant for horological voyeurism. The ratchet wheel features solarisation and the brand’s logo at its centre.
The frequency of the balance is 21,600 VpH (3Hz) and the movement contains 33 jewels. The mainspring has the capacity to provide 55 hours of autonomy.
This is a very impressive movement based on its technical prowess and the finissage is most agreeable, especially given its price point.
Closing remarks
The dial layout of the Carl F Bucherer Manero PowerReserve Blue Dial makes it simple to interpret. There are several indications over and above the hours and minutes, yet the dial is not congested or challenging to understand.
The case is optimally sized and, during its time in my possession, I found it to be incredibly comfortable to wear. I especially appreciate the mixture of highly polished and satin polished surfaces which grant a most becoming appearance.
Carl F Bucherer has created a peach of a movement in the CFB A1011 with its periphery mounted rotor. This is said to be the ‘the first of its kind to be used in a series-produced movement’. Certainly, as a self-confessed horophile, I find the virtually unrestricted view of the movement, courtesy of the peripheral rotor, to be most agreeable.
However, all roads ultimately lead back to the colour of the dial. The blue hues have an almost ethereal quality with sapphire shades giving way to pale lilac tones. Indeed, this timepiece possesses a sapphire blue dial which is most precious, making this watch something I would dearly love to own.
Technical specifications
- Model: Carl F Bucherer Manero PowerReserve Blue Dial
- Reference: 00.10912.08.53.01
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 42.5mm; water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres); sapphire crystal to front and sapphire caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; large date; day; power-reserve indicator.
- Movement: Manufacture Caliber CFB A1011; self-winding movement; frequency 21,600 VpH (3Hz); 33 jewels; power reserve 55 hours
- Strap: Blue Louisiana alligator leather strap with steel pin lock folding clasp
- Price: €8,800.00 (RRP as at 31.5.2017)
- Limited Edition: 188 pieces
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