MTF[PuristS]
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Baselworld 2010: Carl F. Bucherer
Apr 04, 2010,08:35 AM
Baselworld 2010: Carl F. Bucherer
by Marcus Hanke
This year, Carl F. Bucherer, the technical brand, fully concentrates on its new
"Patravi EvoTec". Since CFB had presented its cal. A1000 movement, critical minds had expressed some doubt whether the unique peripheral rotor would develop enough energy to reliably wind the mainspring barrels. Therefore, it was a logical step to continue the movement evolution with the cal. A1002, adding a power reserve indication.
This indication is attractively integrated into the EvoTec design, blending into the right dial side. As the CFB staff assures, the power reserve display confirms the excellent winding capabilities of the peripheral rotor. Even after the inactivity of a long night's sleep, the indication is said to be still at "high".
Not everybody likes the rubber-coated bezel of the EvoTec. Therefore, a variant is launched with a bare steel bezel, which changes the watch's overall impression from "modern" to "massively masculine". Personally, I prefer the original version, which has the added advantage of a very high rresistance against scratches, whereas the brushed surface finish of the steel bezel shows scratches a lot quicker.
A new stainless steel bracelet offers a cleverly integrated fine adjustment, permitting to adapt the length to changing wrist circumferences during the day.
Last, but not least, the EvoTec is now also conquering the domain of ladies' timepieces: With smaller dimensions and without the weekday indication, the
"Patravi EvoTec BigDate" features a sportive design, luminous indications and a big date.
Editor's Note
I have to confess to being a sceptic about the CFB A1000 movement with circumferential winding rotor but am able to admit my mistake. It works. And it has fooled more than one casual observer that it is a manual winding movement because they cannot see the 'central rotor'.
The new advertising campaign that emphasises the technical prowess at CFB is a very good idea. I can see clearly what we are getting for our money in the complications and engineering Smart Simplexity®. For example, I did not know how intricate the mechanism to adjust the East-West time zone changes in their TravelTec was until the recent advertising pictures.
One comfort I got from the Ladies Patravi Evotec Big Date is that the A1000 movement can be made into a smaller watch than the current Mens' version. Thus, it is logical that a reasonable sized Mens watch (40mm) can be made in future...even in a round case.
Melvyn Teillol-Foo
This message has been edited by MTF on 2010-04-05 09:26:38