ReviewLimited Edition: The Exclusive Carl F. Bucherer Boutique Watch
On the milestone of 130 years in fine watchmaking, Carl F. Bucherer has turned to honour its roots by opening a flagship boutique in their hometown, Lucerne, along with a special watch, the Manero Peripheral Boutique Edition, which subtly reflects classic influences of the city
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A wave of blue has come over the world of timekeeping in the last year or so. Quite a few watch manufacturers have released brand new or exclusive editions of flagship watches in blue dials or straps. The blue trend was seen in the first IWC Portugieser Chronograph with a blue dial. Movado too enjoyed success with the blue dial version of the Movado Ultra Slim. Even Jaeger-LeCoultre chose blue for the straps of their Master Control 25th anniversary edition watches. And then there was Carl F. Bucherer making heads spin with their new peripheral rotor, seen in the Manero Peripheral, and Power Reserve – both in a blue versions. Adding to this list of exquisite blue watches is the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral Boutique Edition.
Carl F. Bucherer Goes Back To Its Roots
Next year, Carl F. Bucherer will celebrate their 130th anniversary. It all began in 1888, when a gentleman called Carl Friedrich Bucherer opened a shop that specialised in selling watches and jewellery, in the idyllic town of Lucerne in Switzerland. It was his entrepreneurial spirit back then that made his venture grow into an internationally reputable watch manufacturing establishment as it is today. After spreading out all over the globe, the brand has decided to celebrate these years of success by going back to where it all began, in the beautiful city of Lucerne.
As an homage to their origins, the brand has opened a flagship watch boutique in Lucerne just as Carl Friedrich Bucherer opened his shop in 1888. This brand boutique, as expected, is a super-exclusive retail set-up. And obviously it’s the brand’s flagship outlet, just like, perhaps Louis Vuitton’s flagship Champs Élysées store in Paris. “In view of this amazing success story, I am particularly proud to be opening our new boutique where everything began almost 130 years ago,” said Sascha Moeri, CEO, Carl F. Bucherer, on the opening of the flagship Lucerne store.
If you’re the one manufacturing the watches, then why only open a new retail establishment, when you can even create a product to mark the momentous occasion! And that’s exactly what the brand did. At the opening of the new boutique, Moeri unveiled the brand new Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral Boutique Edition.
There’s No Place Like Home For Carl F. Bucherer
Unassuming in appearance, and classical in its stature, this latest product of the Manero range of watches has one distinctive feature that grabs your attention instantly. It’s the gold hour markers and hands. With a case in stainless steel, it might seem a little jarring at first when you notice the gold markers on the dial. However, take a moment to let the look of the watch seep in, and you’ll find that it’s actually a very visually soothing look.
The gold is, in fact, consistent with the imagery of Lucerne that Carl F. Bucherer is currently presenting in its communications, as an ode to their hometown. The minimalistic gold mirrors the baroque influences of the city that Carl F. Bucherer refers to as ‘a cultural melting pot, a place where tradition is very much alive, and a city that is home to stunning baroque buildings’. Even the blue of the dial is inspired by the city of Lucerne, as blue is the primary colour of Lucerne’s coat of arms.
The galvanised blue dial is perfect in its simplicity. Its sunburst finish almost makes it shimmer like the ripples on the surface of Lake Lucerne. There is a small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock, which has a concentric circular texture that adds a subtle element for a sophisticated impact. The more you look at it, the more you’ll see how well the red gold-plated elements go with the rest of the look. The appliquéd wedge-shaped indices, lancet-shaped hands, blue dial, white markings, and steel case, all blend well together. The stainless steel case, 40.6mm in diameter and water resistant to 30m, features classical, rounded contours and a balanced mix of polished and matte surfaces. The strap is made of Louisiana alligator leather, and comes with a stainless steel folding pin buckle.
The Carl F. Bucherer Boutique Mechanism
Besides the visual elements that pay tribute to the brand’s place of birth, the mechanism powering this timepiece is also a reflection of the manufacturer’s expertise and innovation in the craft of watchmaking. Inside the Boutique Edition is an in-house movement that runs on the power supplied by a bi-directional rotating weight that stays on the movement’s periphery. This peripheral rotor, an achievement for the brand, is also in the blue that is seen on the dial. You can get a glimpse of it through the sapphire crystal caseback, through which you can also see the Côtes de Genève, or the striped finish on the metallic components of the movement that offers a 55-hour power reserve.
A Limited Boutique Edition
A certified chronometer, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral Boutique Edition is limited to 188 pieces, ‘an allusion to the year in which the company was founded’. Naturally, the watch is available in the new Lucerne flagship store, but besides that, it is also available at the Carl F. Bucherer boutiques in Shanghai, and Moscow.
You won’t have to actually go to Lucerne or Shanghai or Moscow to get your hands on one of the 188 pieces. You can get one right here, from Ethos Watch Boutiques.