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ReviewTwo Masterpieces That Revive The Golden Era Of Watchmaking: The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual

Meticulously distilling design elements from one of Carl F. Bucherer’s former watches dating back to 1956, the Heritage BiCompax Annual is much more than just a simple reissue. Featuring a chronograph with a bicompax layout, a big date and an annual calendar, the Swiss watchmaker has delivered an impressive combination of complications in a remarkable, handsome form

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First released by the brand in 1956, the Heritage BiCompax Annual has been resurrected this year and given the modern touch that it needed, bringing it seamlessly into the future
Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Bicompax
Carl F. Bucherer Heritage

An Overview

The year 2019 will perhaps always be remembered for the flurry of vintage watches it gave to the world, with several brands looking to the past for inspiration. The retro aesthetic of the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual has to be one of the finest examples of this nostalgic design language that has taken the world by storm. First released in 1956, the Heritage BiCompax Annual has been resurrected this year. While the package is as winsome as it was when the watch first came out, the mechanics inside have been tweaked to suit modern times. Carl F. Bucherer has added an annual calendar function coveted by watch enthusiasts the world over—and that has brought the Heritage BiCompax Annual seamlessly into the future.

The Watch Guide

The 1950s were a time brimming with hope, opportunity and post-war euphoria. The Heritage BiCompax manages to capture all the good from that era and brings it to the future

The Watch Guide

The retro aesthetic of the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual has to be one of the finest examples of the nostalgic design language that has taken the world by storm

Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Bicompax
Carl F. Bucherer Heritage

Impressions

There’s a reason why the old-school aesthetic is so desired among watch enthusiasts. The 1950s were a time brimming with hope, opportunity and post-war euphoria. The Heritage BiCompax Annual manages to encapsulate all the good from that era and brings it to the future. If you want a watch that sports modern functions and a peerless movement, but still manages to keep that retro spirit alive, the Heritage BiCompax Annual is worth investing in.

The Watch Guide

The rose gold variant of the Heritage BiCompax, with its champagne-hued dial, exhibits notable style and has a high quotient of elegance

The Watch Guide

The symmetry of a bi-compax setting for a chronograph works brilliantly for the overall aesthetic of the timepiece, especially on the panda variant

The Watch Guide

One look at the design of the dial and it is evident that a lot of its vintage lineage has been retained

The Present Heritage BiCompax

The Case

While its predecessor was a dainty 34mm, this model is sized at a perfect 41mm—made to sit comfortably on the wrist, with a thickness of only 14.05mm. The rectangular pushers that activate the chronograph—polished to perfection and slightly rounded near the lugs—add to the vintage appeal. Just like the watches from the 1950s, the case is finished with a double-domed glass, in this case, made from sapphire crystal and treated with an antireflective coating.

The Watch Guide

The attention to detail that the Heritage BiCompax boasts of speaks volumes about the watchmakers at Carl F. Bucherer and their passion towards the craft

The Watch Guide

What makes the Heritage BiCompax a well-rounded product is the fact that it employs useful complications, a vintage design, and a solid build, without an over-the-top price tag

The Watch Guide

The panda variant looks more contemporary and sporty as compared with its elegant and classical rose gold sibling

This watch is available in two equally delightful variants, one with a steel-and-rose-gold construction, and the other with a simple steel case—which looks a tad sportier and also comes paired with a rubber strap. The bezel, pushers and crown of the gold variant have been crafted from 18-karat rose gold—in keeping with the rich Baroque traditions that defined Lucerne, Switzerland, where the brand was born.

The Watch Guide

The watch, despite its relatively small size, packs in a chronograph with a bi-compax layout, large date and an annual calendar

The Watch Guide

The retro design of the Heritage BiCompax makes it effortlessly stylish and manages to capture the aesthetic of the 1950s

The Dial

A straightforward but eloquent design language takes precedence in the Heritage BiCompax Annual. While Carl F. Bucherer has always been one for vintage aesthetics, the Swiss watchmaker takes it to another level in this watch’s dial. The BiCompax Annual is available in either an exquisite champagne dial or with a panda dial. The overall layout is practically identical to the earlier model with its snailed bicompax counters at three and nine o’clock. The retro Arabic numerals on the dial are especially inspired by the antiquated watches of yesteryear. In keeping with traditions, the dial also features a legible tachymeter scale, which can be used to compute speed, based on travel time, or even measure distance, based on speed.

The Watch Guide

For admirers of vintage-inspired timepieces, the Heritage BiCompax fits the bill without burdening the pocket

The Watch Guide

This watch has a bold presence on the wrist, thanks to its eye-catching design

What catches your eye almost immediately are the simple, sharp but extremely effective syringe hands, which have been filled with just the right amount of luminous material for it to be useful in the dark.  The obvious advantage of going with syringe hands here is the way it precisely points to the exact time, and adds to the vintage aesthetic of the timepiece. Not to mention, the use of syringe hands in timepieces now is incredibly rare, making this a notably unique addition to your collection. Apart from the Super-LumiNova that is injected into the syringe hands, it also appears in the form of minute dots around the hour numerals.

The Watch Guide

Lodged very discreetly between the four and five o'clock markers is the month indicator

The Watch Guide

Right below noon sits the big date indicator, a part of the annual calendar complication, which stands out with its legibility and retro-inspired font

Coming to the titular feature of the Heritage BiCompax Annual, the annual calendar has found its way in the form of two apertures on the dial. Right below noon sits the big date indicator and lodged very discreetly between the four and five o’clock markers is the month indicator. Since it features the coveted annual calendar complication, it will need only one adjustment a year. If you look closer, you will notice that both of these apertures have bevelled frames that are outlined in black and boasts an interior with a thin golden or silver line, depending on the model. The attention to detail that the watchmakers have put into every watch is truly astounding.

The Watch Guide

If you turn the watch over, the sapphire crystal caseback reveals the calibre CFB 1972, which has an open-worked rotor fashioned after the brand’s logo

The Watch Guide

Elements of this variant have been crafted from 18-karat rose gold—in keeping with the rich Baroque traditions that defined Lucerne, Switzerland, the birthplace of the brand

The Movement

Beating inside is the in-house automatic CFB 1972 calibre with 47 jewels, which boasts a power reserve of 42 hours. The watch may look simple, but it packs quite a punch, with a chronograph and an annual calendar complication. The Annual Calendar needs only one adjustment per year, after February—which makes this watch incredibly utilitarian. Very few brands in the world make a combined chronograph annual calendar, and at this price point, this holds even truer. Carl F. Bucherer succeeds here in conquering a market that few even venture into. To top it all off, the brand is famous for creating watches with exceptional value for the price they command, so you will definitely get the most bang for the buck.

A Final Word

This watch is limited to 888 pieces—a number that is a tribute to the year 1888, when Carl F. Bucherer was founded. In a world that’s either bogged down by tradition, or trying too hard to defy it, the Heritage BiCompax Annual skilfully and effortlessly keeps the luxurious and classic retro spirit alive.

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9 comments
  • Adiseshulu February 29, 2020 at 10:10 am

    Variety of watch images with prize list.

  • ADISESHAIAH G February 29, 2020 at 10:09 am

    Please forward watch details with prize

    • The Watch Guide March 2, 2020 at 11:29 am

      Hi there,

      The details and prices for both variants of the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual can be found here: https://www.ethoswatches.com/brands/carl-f-bucherer/heritage.html

      Alternatively, if you need any specific assistance, Ethos can definitely help you out with choosing a watch. For help, suggestions, and information on availability and prices, you can call our luxury watch helpline and speak to one of our consultants. The numbers are +91 8725028882 or 8725016301, and the helpline is open between 10:30am and 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

      Thank you for reading!
      The Watch Guide

  • DR VENKATESWARLU February 23, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    Hi
    Pl provide the catalogue of the different kind and its range of watches available.
    Prices also mention clearly.
    Regards
    Venkat D R

    • The Watch Guide February 25, 2020 at 11:28 am

      Hi Venkat,

      You can find Carl F. Bucherer’s catalogue here: https://www.ethoswatches.com/brands/carl-f-bucherer.html

      Alternatively, if you need any specific assistance, Ethos can definitely help you out with choosing a watch. For help, suggestions, and information on availability and prices, you can call our luxury watch helpline and speak to one of our consultants. The numbers are +91 8725028882 or 8725016301, and the helpline is open between 10:30am and 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

      Thank you for reading!
      The Watch Guide

  • Sanjiv January 23, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    sir I want old style watches

    • The Watch Guide January 29, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      Hi Sanjiv,

      Thank you for writing in. If you’re interested in old-style watches, we have just the article for you, on various vintage-inspired timepieces, which you can find here:
      https://www.ethoswatches.com/the-watch-guide/vintage-inspired-watch-trend/

      For specific details, or any other queries on the prices and availability of these watches, or any other suggestions or help, please feel free to call the Ethos luxury watch helpline and speak to one of the consultants. The numbers are +91 8725028882 or 8725016301, and the helpline is open between 10:30am and 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

      Thank you for reading!
      The Watch Guide

  • Nasima January 9, 2020 at 1:07 am

    I am from srilankan.
    Pls send price list in srilankan rupees.
    Thank u!

    • Ranvijaysinh Jhala January 11, 2020 at 5:49 pm

      Hello Nasima,

      Thank you for reaching out to us. If you have any queries on the availability and prices of these watches, in any currency, please feel free to call the Ethos luxury watch helpline and talk to one of the consultants. The numbers are +91 8725028882 or 8725016301, and the helpline is open between 10:30am and 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

      Thank you for reading!
      The Watch Guide

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