In the 1950s, as the jet age shrank the world and opened up new horizons for travel, Carl F. Bucherer was already ahead of the curve. The Swiss watchmaker’s pioneering spirit led to the creation of one of the first timepieces capable of tracking a second time zone, a necessity for the increasingly mobile global citizen.
Now, the Lucerne-based brand revisits that milestone with the Heritage Worldtimer, a fresh take on a mid-century classic that embodies the elegance of yesteryear while showcasing today’s cutting-edge watchmaking technology.
The Jet Age Revolution
The mid-20th century was a transformative time. With the advent of jet engines, the world suddenly felt much smaller. Journeys that once took days or weeks were now possible in a matter of hours. As businessmen, diplomats and adventurers zipped across time zones, they needed a way to keep track of time at home while navigating their new global reality.
This necessity gave rise to the travel watch, a new breed of timepiece that could do more than just tell the time – it could keep you grounded, no matter where in the world you landed. The travel watch became a vital tool for the jet-set era, and Carl F. Bucherer was at the forefront with its Worldtimer, a marvel of functionality that allowed travellers to track time across multiple cities with just a glance.
Vintage Charm, Modern Convenience
Now, with the Heritage Worldtimer, the brand invites us to relive the mechanical joys of this classic innovation in our modern era dominated by digital convenience.
At its heart is the iconic city disk, a feature that was revolutionary in its time and remains a delight for modern watch enthusiasts. With a simple twist of the second crown at 9 o’clock, the wearer can align their current location with the 24-hour ring to instantly see the time across multiple cities around the globe.
CFB says that the two-crown system – one for time setting, the other for managing the city disk – has been ergonomically updated for modern wearers.
And in a nod to the present day, some of the cities on the ring have been changed to reflect modern commercial hubs. However, the typeface and overall aesthetic remain faithful to the original, maintaining a link to the watch’s mid-century roots.
One particular detail that stands out is the choice of Lucerne to represent continental Europe – a subtle but heartfelt homage to the place where Carl F. Bucherer established his first specialist watch and jewellery store in 1888 and where the modern-day brand is headquartered.
Styles to Suit All Tastes
For watch aficionados, the Heritage Worldtimer offers several enticing options. The pièce de résistance is a 39mm 18K rose gold version, limited to just 88 pieces, that captures the sophistication of the original design, updated here with a sunbrushed silver dial.
The delicate baton-style hands and engraved gilded indexes complete the look, evoking a supreme sense of refinement. The watch is paired with a black textile strap and gold pin buckle.
There are also 39mm stainless-steel editions that are available without limitation. These come with either a silver or black dial with engraved indexes – silver or rhodium-plated, respectively. They come on a black textile strap or a stainless-steel bracelet, both of which feature a quick-release mechanism for easy swaps.
Interestingly, the dial’s inscriptions have also evolved. Where once the words “Waterproof” and “17 jewels” were emblazoned, today we find “Chronometer” and “33 Jewels,” signalling not only modern advancements in water resistance – it is now commonplace in watchmaking – but also the presence of a state-of-the-art movement on the inside.
Calibre A2020
Inside the Heritage Worldtimer beats the Carl F. Bucherer A2020 calibre. This COSC-certified chronometer-grade movement boasts a 55-hour power reserve and its automatic winding is achieved through the brand’s proprietary Peripheral Technology.
Rather than using a traditional full-rotor system mounted atop the movement plate, the winding rotor is elegantly positioned around the outer edge of the movement, resting on ball bearings and aligned on the same plane.
This not only contributes to the thinness of the movement, allowing for the watch’s slim 10.25mm profile, but also provides an unobstructed view of the Geneva wave-decorated, rhodium-treated bridges through the sapphire display back.
A Modern Classic
The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Worldtimer is more than just a watch; it’s a bridge between two eras. It embodies the optimism and elegance of mid-century travel while offering modern-day precision and performance. And in a world that moves ever faster, it serves as a reminder to slow down, appreciate the journey and, above all, keep world time in style!
For more information, please visit the Carl F. Bucherer website.
