Things are evolving at Carl F. Bucherer as the Lucerne-based watchmaker recently took a moment to refocus and analyze where they were going and where they wanted to be going. They are calling the exercise “Exploring Time” and invited the world’s press to an exclusive event in Munich to find out what this means for the brand’s fans. WorldTempus was there to find out more.
Exploring Time
Carl F. Bucherer spans 135 years of heritage, crosses several generations of the Bucherer family, and is one of the few family-owned independent Swiss watchmakers still in operation today. Not one to rest on its laurels, the company has always been moving forwards, looking for new ways to take the brand into the future. “The Bucherer family has always been pioneering and exploring in all its endeavours,” shares Head of Consumer Marketing Barbara Sieber, “This is why we have a new slogan “Exploring Time” that makes our watches companions for your journey through time.”
The Different Journeys on Offer
There are different journeys to go on too, depending on which of the three product families you choose. The Manero line is for people who love design, functionality, and the urban lifestyle; the Patravi universe is all about performance and sports; and the Heritage collection is inspired by culture and tradition and is a modern interpretation of the brand’s heritage. By focusing on these three worlds, the brand is able to cut down on the number of different references from 300 to 120, making it simpler for customers to understand. In addition to the number of references, the brand’s points of sale will also be streamlined, dropping from 400 to 260, to better focus on exclusivity.
Kicking Off with the Capsule Collection
The new strategy kicked off at the beginning of the year with the Black Capsule Collection with five black timepieces – three of which were made from forged carbon – combining high-tech materials with traditional fine watchmaking complications including a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar, a bi-compax annual calendar, a flyback chronograph, and a big date. The brand has also focused on the black theme for its 5th Only Watch 2023 edition, which was recently unveiled with an all-black tourbillon with a touch of emerald green on the tourbillon bridge.
Colours and Complications
Striking colours are also part of the new strategy as can be seen in the latest Manero Minute Repeater Anniversary Trilogy with three one-of-a-kind pieces in a delightful array of colours – the first in 18-karat yellow gold with a moss-green guilloche dial; the second in 18-karat white gold with a mother-of-pearl dial and 40 ice-blue baguette-cut sapphires; and the third in 18-karat rose gold case with a rainbow setting of multi-coloured baguette-cut gemstones (photographed here). These splendid colours are really only the icing on the cake, however, as these three unique pieces are powered by the brand’s in-house minute repeater movement with triple peripheral technology. It took over six years to develop this movement, which is composed of over 600 components, and puts Carl F. Bucherer on the list of only a select few manufacturers who have the know-how to make minute repeaters in-house.
During the event, we also got to see and try on a whole range of new timepieces that will be released throughout the year. They all combine great complications with new materials and eye-catching designs and colours that truly delighted the watch press. We are impatient to share them with you too, as soon as we can, so stay tuned over the coming months.
