The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Collection has a solid history of its own. Launched in 2016, the Manero Flyback has managed to come up again new every year with a surprising breath of fresh air. As an example, here are last year’s models of Manero Flyback collection in steel and precious metal. This year, the brand comes with a steel version and a change of the dial’s colour scheme. Somehow, the new model keeps the vivid memory of older models but yet has its own share of new and originality. For our hands-on review today, we answer the question of how the brand has properly manufactured and managed the latest well-thought-out Manero Flyback.
The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback was launched in 2016. The collection is powered by the Calibre CFB 1970 – a highly modified version of the legendary 7750 movements. The most important characteristic is the flyback function of the chronograph.
Historical considerations
The story of Carl F. Bucherer brand started in 1888 in Lucerne, Switzerland, when Carl Friedrich Bucherer opens his first watches and jewellery boutique. The brand launched its first ladies watch collection in 1919, using a time-specific art deco style.
Carl F. Bucherer is one of the first to adopt the revolutionary concept of a strap for the watches.
In 1968, Carl F. Bucherer was among the top three Swiss watch manufacturers with an approximate number of 15,000 high precision certified chronometers.
By 1969, the brand is involved in the production of the first Swiss Quartz movement – Beta 21.
In 1976, Jörg G. Bucherer, the third generation Bucherer family take over the company. Today, he is still in charge, the company being one of the very few original family owned brands.
Carl F. Bucherer launches a Patravi Collection in 2001. This collection is enriched in 2005 with a Patravi TravelTec monopusher mechanism patent. This permits the display of three times in parallel.
In 2007, the company acquires Téchniques Horlogères Appliquées of Sainte-Croix, Switzerland. The business decision permit in 2008 the launch of the in-house 3Hz CFB A1000 calibre.
Since 2014, the Carl F. Bucherer watches wear a unique laser signature. The technology was developed by the Swiss company Mimotec SA, the CLR-LIGA. In the process, a signature is printed on the surface of the watch movement using diffractive nano-structuring. This can be read and authenticated with a specialized laser scanning device. The first watch using this technology was the Manero Power Reserve.
In 2016, the brand introduced the manufacture movement CFB A2000. This COSC certified movement uses a new 4Hz free-sprung balance. In the same year, the brand launches CFB A2050, used in several Manero models and the Manero Flyback Collection. The last one is powered by the CFB 1970 movement featuring a flyback function for the chronograph.
The current offer has five collections, ladies and gentlemen, in a price range between CHF5,000 and CHF30,000 (with some exception over CHF400,000) and an annual production of 25,000 watches.
Review: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback
A relative young collection, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback has seven variations. This year’s version, the Ref. 00.10919.08.33.02 comes with a very classic selection of colours – a reverse panda dial with some sporty accents. Although it follows the exact recipe of last years Manero Flybacks, the new model stands out more as just a simple dial’s colour variation.
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback comes with a beautifully shaped case with polished and brushed surfaces, a reverse panda dial touched by red notes. The layout is a pleasant combination of a more than half-century-old design with modern touches.
The case, dial and hands
The Manero Flyback comes in a modern sized – 43mm stainless steel case. However, the 14.45mm height makes the watch to wear smaller, a frugal look gives the impression of a much smaller 41mm watch. The design has the advantage of fitting well a large range of wrist sizes.
The case has a classical appearance, reminding of the vintage chronograph. The slender scalloped lugs, slightly inward curved feature a nice satin-finished surface with a polished chamfering continued from the case sides.
The bezel covers the watch face and features a mirror polish. Its size is well balanced, with good proportions referring to the overall design. The domed sapphire crystal brings again arguments for the vintage look.
The screwed-in caseback is fitted with a see-through window. The watch has a water resistance of 3bar /3atm / 30m, suitable for daily use.
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback features two series of elements: one featuring vintage chronograph elements and the other wearing the touch of contemporary. The watch could easily pass as a vintage motor-sport piece or a modern chrono. It only depends on the eyes and wishes of the viewer.
The polished chronograph pushers are in good proportion with the crown and watch’s size. The crown is large with a good grip and effortless usage. The polished surface is decorated with the brand’s logo.
The two register chronograph in reverse panda style is enriched with a racing-inspired tachymeter.
The black background has a subtle sunray decoration. The outer register is dedicated to the tachymeter scale, delimited by a red line. The printing is done with lacquer except for the 60’s indication in red.
The hour indexes use applied faceted indices while the minute, respective the chrono second’s scale is a printed register.
The sunken silver sub-dials have the numerals and indexes printed in black over the circularly patterned bi-compax design.
The sunken subdials with bevelled edges and the three-dimensional applied indexes bring volume and depth the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback dial. The classical peripheric scale and the overall design reminds of the chronograph from the 1940s. The modern applied indexes and the faceted dauphine hands cement the watch in the modern times.
The date window is placed at 6 o’clock. While the black print on a white background is questionable, it is not disturbing. The Carl F. Bucherer designers managed to integrate it well in the dial composition.
The Manero Flyback uses opened dauphine hands: in steel for the hour and minutes and black lacquered for small second and 30 minutes counter. The chrono seconds’ hand is red painted, completing the red accents of the tachymeter’s scale.
The dial is further adorned with brand’s name and logo. The “Flyback” printing is done in red, balancing the white/silver-black-red colour scheme. The dial is visually attractive with an excellent legibility.
The vintage racing theme is completed by a beautiful racing Kudu leather in golden brown. The wristwear is overall comfy.
Using the chronograph is unexpectedly easy. The pushers respond much better as expected. The traditional 7750 movements tend to be a little stiff and requires some force to activate the chronograph’s function. We know the CFB 1970 is a heavily modified version of the robust ETA/Valjoux and the ease of using the pushers did come as a nice surprise to us.
The movement CFB 1970
The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback is powered by the column-wheel and with flyback function CFB 1970. This function allows, in one simple action, to stop, reset and start again the chronograph. This complication is not something we encounter in every chrono, only a few brands are using this function.
The Calibre CFB 1970 uses as a base a modified by La Joux-Perret version of the time-honoured ETA/Valjoux 7750. The 4Hz balance wheel speed and the 42 hours power reserve are inherited.
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Calibre CFB1970 offers a complete view of the most important elements of the chronograph. The adornment is engaging and features all the necessary elements like perlage, Côtes de Genève, bevelling and engraving.
The view of the movement is interesting. The CFB 1970 is well decorated. The rotor weight decorated with Côtes de Genève features bevelled openings on both sides, to match the opening for the blued column-wheel. The levers and gears of the chronograph are also visible over the perlage adorned mainplate. Even if the decorations are machine made, the choice and the quality of enrichment is high.
Competitive landscape
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback has a price of CHF5,900 (VAT incl.), for which, the brand offers a classic looking chronograph with flyback function. The market has an entire palette of watches offering this complication. Of course, the competitive landscape image contains the other models from the Manero Flyback Collection. The different colour scheme changes the watch until the point is difficult to choose between one or another. Only the personal taste and preferences can make it a winner.
Sinn 910 Chronograph has much to offer: three register chrono with a vintage look for an attractive price
The Sinn 910 SRS comes with a price tag of €3,700 for the leather armband version. The stainless steel case offers a vintage look with short lugs and mushroom pushers and crown. The three register chrono dial is surrounded by a wide tachymeter scale. The Sinn 910 us powered by the legendary ETA/Valjoux 7750 with column wheel and flyback modification from La Joux-Perret.
The 2018 model of the Senator Excellence Panorama Date released during Baselworld 2018
Baselworld 2018 brought a new version of the Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Panorama Date. The changes from last year’s piece are dial’s cosmetics. The beautiful 42 mm stainless steel case remains unchanged. The dial with three register design features a big date on the lower side of the dial. The black SuperLuminova has a green glow in the low light. The watch is powered by the in-house calibre GO Calibre 37-01 – a column wheel automatic flyback chrono with nice finishes. But it comes with a higher price point – €13,500.
Tutima Tempostopp is the anniversary piece of the German brand. The watch is a lovely wrist presence with delicate lines and a beautiful dial with flyback chrono.
The Tutima Tempostopp was last year’s star of the German brand. Released at the 90th anniversary of the Tutima, the watch was a huge success between critics and enthusiasts. The watch was developed as a design of the calibre T659, a movement developed in-house as a reinvention of the 1939’s calibre UROFA 59. The beauty and complexity of the movement, adorned with a gorgeous case and dial comes with a reflecting price, €28,600.
If we consider strict the two register chronographs, we can think of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph, the Tudor Black Bay Heritage or even Bell&Ross Vintage BR Racing Bird.
Concluding thoughts
Cool watch, isn’t it? The vintage inspiration is clear but somehow, the watch remains in the present times. It is a gentleman of the modern age, classy without being obsolete, outmoded. The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback fits well any wrist, at an elegant sartorial attire or a more sportier look. The racing style is deep engraved in its DNA and make the Manero Flyback a gentleman driver of the watches.
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback can be a nice day by day companion: good looking, reliable and fun.
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Specifications and price
The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Ref. 00.10919.08.33.02 is priced at CHF5,900 (VAT incl.). For more information, please visit Carl F. Bucherer official Website.
Movement
Calibre: CFB 1970
Type: Mechanical, self-winding
Dimensions: Diameter Ø30.4 mm; Height: 7.9 mm (excluding tourbillon)
Jewels: 25
Power reserve: 42 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4Hz)
Functions: Flyback chronograph minute and seconds counter, Date, Hour, Minute, Small seconds.
Case
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions of the case: Diameter Ø 43mm: Height: 14.45mm
Crystal: Double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides
Caseback: Open, with sapphire crystal
Water Resistance: 3bar /3atm / 30m
Strap
Material: Kudu leather in golden brown
Buckle: stainless steel folding pin buckle
