Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scuba Tec - Baselworld 2014

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scuba Tec – Baselworld 2014


by Johnny McElherron

It could be said that Carl F. Bucherer are not the most ‘in your face’ watch company I’ve ever come across in terms of high profile exposure – although this could well be down to the reason that they don’t advertise where I live and work. Oh, they are there alright, with prominent advertisements greeting you as you disembark and make your way towards arrivals at many Swiss airports. Nevertheless this long established independent brand, still with Bucherer family involvement, and with a history of creating very desirable watches for the higher end, well heeled society customer are definitely well worth seeking out.

With the classic Manero, the sporty Patravi and dressy Adamavi collections, as well as the ladies Pathos and Alacria ranges, Carl F. Bucherer can already boast a nicely rounded range of models within their collections which appeal to almost every taste…. Almost.

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scuba Tec - Crown & Dial

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scuba Tec – Crown & Dial

The one thing the range was lacking was perhaps a dedicated sporty divers watch, but that gap has been noted, and now the slack taken up and the void more than adequately filled with the handsome Carl F Bucherer Patravi Scuba Tec divers watch. Although technically not a brand new, previously unseen piece, the Patravi Scuba Tec recently made its big show debut in the brand’s lavish kiosk at Baselworld 2014.

Carl F. Bucherer Kiosk at Baselworld

Carl F. Bucherer Kiosk at Baselworld

As is the standard with Carl F. Bucherer, the Patravi Scuba Tec is a superbly well constructed and very good looking piece, and it will be available in a 44.6mm stainless steel case with options including 18Kt rose gold bezel and the choice of steel or steel with gold bracelets, or cool rubber strap – all with extendable clasps to accommodate the extra width of a wetsuit sleeve. It has been designed to be a usable divers instrument as opposed to just looking like one, with water and pressure resistance being good for 500m dives and featuring the genre standard tactile uni directional rotating bezel, in this case nicely enhanced with ceramic inserts, blue for graduated 0-15 minutes, then black with large numerals for the rest of the way around.

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scuba Tec - Rubber Strap

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scuba Tec – Rubber Strap

Readability too is excellent, thanks to the lume-filled steel hands and large luminous indices both of which emit a bright blue glow, applied to a black, silver or blue dial etched with recurring wave motif. The date window is at the 3 o’clock position. Neatly integrated into the case flank near the 7 is the automatic helium escape valve, and the screw-in crown sits securely sunk in between the shoulders on either side.

Between the dial and screw down solid caseback, with stingray motif, beats the officially certified COSC chronometer CFB 1950.1 automatic self winding movement, with 38 hours of reserve.

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scuba Tec - Baselworld 2014

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scuba Tec – Baselworld 2014

Carl F. Bucherer first divers watch is a perfect addition to the Patravi family and compliments a collection for which the highest standards in watch making, design and build are bywords. Its arrival should prove to cause a distraction for customers who might prefer something different in this very popular and competitive $5 – $10K luxury sports watch sector; a territory so jeaously protected by Rolex. The stainless steel Patravi Scuba Tec makes a strong argument for its case.

    Author Bio

    Articles by Johnny McElherron

    CONTRIBUTOR

    Johnny McElherron was busy minding his own business as a successful company director, when one day he fell in love with watches. So deeply that soon after his eureka! moment he established The Watch Press as a vehicle where he could indulge his passion with gusto. What his eye beheld he would write about, in his own unique style, and in time his work penetrated through to numerous national and international mainstream and online publications. Today Johnny creates engaging content for watch industry clients, and in 2014 joined forces with the highly respected watch industry specialists Delos Communications, with whom he works to provide Delos clients with high quality content to ensure no part of their company message gets lost in translation.