ReviewGo Big Or Go Home: Introducing Carl F. Bucherer’s Manero Peripheral BigDate

Being an independent brand, competing with some of the largest conglomerates in the watchmaking business in no mean feat. However, Lucerne-based, Carl F. Bucherer have carved a niche for themselves as one of the most reputed players in the horological universe, churning out fine timepieces, consistently. Their latest offering is another addition to their famed Manero line—which celebrates virtuoso craftsmanship in its most authentic form—combining timeless, classic aesthetics with discrete yet powerful elegance. They have once again demonstrated leadership in the field of peripheral technology with the introduction of the Manero Peripheral BigDate, equipped with the brand’s automatic calibre CFB A2011—a manufacture mechanical movement with a peripheral rotor. This timepiece has been created for women and men, who want a complication on their wrist, without the dial looking too cluttered. And Carl F. Bucherer have done this with aplomb as not too many brands have the expertise or the skill to create the ‘big date’ complication—which on the surface may look fairly simple but is not easy to achieve, especially when it comes to promising accuracy and a high rate of precision, thanks to an inbuilt date-correction mechanism. It’s mostly been associated with brands that have a legacy of crafting fine watches for decades such as IWC, Cartier, A. Lange & Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Girard-Perregaux, to name a few.

The Manero Peripheral BigDate is available in two dial options: a light blue version with the date and small seconds display in beige; and the other one in dark grey with the date and small seconds indication in olive green. This looks quite eye-catching as the small seconds sub-dial is positioned at six o’clock, and the symmetry is balanced by the big date display slightly below the 11 o’clock position. This is complemented by a power reserve indicator at three o’clock, and a day-of-the-week aperture at nine o’clock. Let’s take a closer look at this elegant timekeeper that’s joined the Manero family.

The Manero Peripheral BigDate has been created for women and men, who want a complication on their wrist, without the dial looking too cluttered

Carl F. Bucherer have done this with aplomb as not too many brands have the expertise to create the ‘big date’ complication—which may look fairly simple but is not easy to achieve

Carl F. Bucherer Manero

₹9,84,312

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The Force Within: Understanding The Peripheral Technology And Its Evolution

It’s impossible to talk about Carl F. Bucherer without referring to its peripheral technology, even though the brand have not been the first ones or the only players to use this technology in their timepieces. However, they have adapted this technology to form a seamless blend of innovation and aesthetics to craft some of the most outstanding watches in the contemporary horological landscape. Carl F. Bucherer have been able to successfully put this know-how into series production, thereby becoming a pioneer and market leader in this field. Peripheral technology means that parts are not mounted centrally on their axes but rotate around their own peripheries on ceramic ball bearings. This allows for thinner watches and an unobstructed view of the corresponding elements—a feature that is highly attractive and is often a conversation-starter among watch aficionados.

The watch is available in two dial options: a light blue version with the date and small seconds in beige; and another one in dark grey with the date and small seconds in olive green

₹9,41,976

Check Our Selling Price

This looks quite eye-catching as the small seconds sub-dial is positioned at six o’clock, and the symmetry is balanced by the big date display slightly below the 11 o’clock mark

₹9,41,976

Check Our Selling Price

This is complemented by a power reserve indicator at three o’clock, and a day-of-the-week aperture at nine o’clock

₹9,41,976

Check Our Selling Price

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It all started in 2008 when Carl F. Bucherer introduced their CFB A1000 automatic movement with a patented, peripheral winding system. Guided by three ball bearings between the main plate and the bridges, a thin oscillating weight positioned on the periphery of the calibre; it made the watch flatter and provided an unobstructed view of the movement. The CFB A1000 was the first movement with peripheral automatic winding system ever to be produced in series and established the brand’s industry-leading position in the field of peripheral technology. The peripheral rotor introduced in the calibre A1000 was refined in the CFB A2000 movement later, and like its predecessor, it draws its power from a bidirectional automatic winding system with a peripheral rotor, and also set the stage for the brand’s next major achievement.

The second is the Manero Tourbillon DoublePeripheral with a ‘floating tourbillon’, launched in 2018, whose cage is supported peripherally—and invisibly—by three frictionless ball bearings that ensure stability and precise guidance. This was fitted with the CFB T3000 manufacture calibre, where unlike traditional tourbillons, it is neither mounted in the movement’s mainplate nor in an overlying bridge.

The third patented innovation—a minute repeater regulator mounted peripherally via three low-friction ceramic ball bearings, took Carl F. Bucherer’s peripheral technology to an unprecedented level. It was introduced in 2021 in the Manero Minute Repeater Symphony, a game-changing timepiece that also features the other two peripheral complications. With an innovative system of gongs, this brilliant expression of the highest art of watchmaking adds a sonic dimension to timekeeping.

Measuring 41.6mm, it looks sleek in a polished stainless steel case, where both sides of its domed sapphire crystal have an anti-reflective coating, which enhances the watch’s readability. The sapphire crystal caseback offers a clear view of the CFB A2011 calibre—the in-house mechanical movement, which drives the new timepiece

Heritage Meets Innovation: The Manero Peripheral BigDate

The new timepiece is based on all the characteristics that define Carl F. Bucherer today: a long history, a proud heritage, a founding family, a cutting-edge manufacturer, the skills of some of the world’s most talented watchmakers, and, of course, the innovation that has established the brand as the industry’s leader in peripheral technology. The Manero Peripheral BigDate marked the brand’s second launch in 2021 of a watch featuring its peripheral technology following the successful debut of the celebrated Manero Minute Repeater Symphony earlier in the year.

“We’re pleased to be launching our second peripheral technology watch this year. The success of the Manero Minute Repeater Symphony raised awareness of this important part of our brand identity in April and the Manero Peripheral BigDate continues to underscore both our manufacture competence and our spirit of innovation. The Manero Peripheral BigDate is an outstanding timepiece that perfectly blends design, material, and technology and enhances our maison and heritage brand world. It elegantly adds to the understanding of what we mean when we talk about contemporary Swiss watchmaking excellence made of Lucerne,” said CEO, Sascha Moeri in a press statement.

The Defining Features

While Carl F. Bucherer have taken inspiration from their other timepieces, including the popular and colourful Manero PowerReserve Mr Blue and Mr Green watches, the Manero Peripheral BigDate is a resolutely contemporary watch. Measuring 41.6mm, it looks sleek in a polished stainless steel case, where both sides of its domed sapphire crystal have an anti-reflective coating, which enhances the watch’s readability. The sapphire crystal caseback offers a clear view of the CFB A2011 calibre—the in-house mechanical movement, which drives the new timepiece. As mentioned earlier, the Manero Peripheral BigDate has been interpreted in two distinct versions. One has a light blue dial with a contrasting small-seconds sub-dial and power reserve indication in beige, followed by a big date and day-of-the-week aperture in the same colour. The other has been crafted with a dark grey dial with a contrasting olive-green small-seconds sub-dial and power reserve indication, accompanied by a big date and day-of-the-week aperture in the same hue. Each dial option is presented on either a textile strap matching the sub-dial or on a robust stainless steel bracelet. The watch has a power reserve of 55 hours and is water-resistant to 30m.

The Manero Peripheral BigDate is an outstanding timepiece that perfectly blends design, material, and cutting-edge technology

₹9,84,312

Check Our Selling Price

The Manero Peripheral BigDate unites state-of-the-art engineering, and classic watchmaking expertise and craftsmanship for a truly unique watch with a timeless appeal

₹9,41,976

Check Our Selling Price

The CFB A2011 calibre is equipped with the peripheral technology where parts are not mounted centrally on their axes but rotate around their own peripheries on ceramic ball bearings

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Carl F. Bucherer have always blazed new trails, demonstrating true pioneering spirit, which is evident in their timepieces that combine unique design with the utmost precision and outstanding functionality. And the Manero Peripheral BigDate follows the same philosophy where it unites state-of-the-art engineering, and classic watchmaking expertise and craftsmanship for a truly unique watch with a timeless appeal!