This year marks the 135th anniversary of the Carl F. Bucherer brand which is a milestone that deserves a big celebration. And frankly celebrations don’t get bigger than a trio of piece uniques based on their most complicated watch in recent history. These are the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Minute Repeater Anniversary Editions.
When I say that the three watches are based on CFB’s most complicated watch I’m talking about the Manero Minute Repeater Symphony from 2021. It was that watch that introduced the triple periphery functions of peripheral winding, a peripheral tourbillon and peripheral minute repeater regulator. Each of the Anniversary pieces feature this same suite of complications and what separates them are their unique aesthetics. With that in mind, let’s take a look at them one at a time.
Yellow Gold with Moss Green Dial
The first of the Manero Minute Repeater Anniversary editions has a case in 18k yellow gold measuring 43.5mm in diameter. I like the use of yellow gold instead of rose because the colder tone matches better with the moss green dial, reminding me in some respects of the Montblanc Lime Green. The dial itself has an intricate guilloché pattern that reminds me of a woven basket. Paired with the gold case and green dial are matching gold hour markers and golden hands.
Price & Specs
- Ref: 00.10925.01.93.01|
- Case/dial: 43.5mm diameter x 12.98mm thickness, 18k yellow gold case, moss green guilloche dial, 18k gold index marks|
- Water resistance: 10m (1 bar)|
- Movement: CFB calibre MR3000, COSC-certified, automatic, 33 jewels|
- Power reserve: 65h|
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, tourbillon|
- Strap: Moss green nubuck leather with 18k yellow gold pin lock folding clasp |
- Price/availability: Price on request, unique piece
White Gold
Next up is the Manero Minute Repeater Anniversary white gold piece unique, which is far less classical in its style but more artistic. By which I mean that the mother-of-pearl dial gives the piece a cloudy or frost like appearance akin to something you might expect from Grand Seiko. Providing a strong point of colour for this model is the bezel, which is inlaid with a series of blue sapphires, they have a particularly rich colour that matches the blue hybrid rubber strap.
Price & Specs
- Ref: 00.10925.02.83.11|
- Case/dial: 43.5mm diameter x 12.98mm thickness, 18k white gold case, bezel set with 40 ice blue baguette 4.3ct sapphires, light ice blue mother-of-pearl, dial, 18k gold index marks|
- Water resistance: 10m (1 bar)|
- Movement: CFB calibre MR3000, automatic, 33 jewels|
- Power reserve: 65h|
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, tourbillon |
- Strap: Blue hybrid rubber, “textile” texture and quick release system with18K white gold pin-lock folding clasp |
- Price/availability: Price on request, unique piece
Rose Gold
Last but by no means is the rose gold edition with a black sunray dial. While on paper it might seem like the most understated of the watches, that’s only until I mention the fact that it has a rainbow gem-set bezel. It’s a combination tsavorites, sapphires and rubies in all the colours of the rainbow with the same gems used for the hour markers. Of the three watches it definitely feels the most celebratory.
Price & Specs
- Ref: 00.10925.03.39.11|
- Case/dial: 43.5mm diameter x 12.98mm thickness, 18k rose gold case, bezel set with 40 baguette 4.3ct tsavorites, sapphires and rubies in rainbow colours, 18k rose gold with black sunray finish dial with 8 baguette cut 0.3 ct. tsavorites and sapphires in rainbow colours|
- Water resistance: 10m (1 bar)|
- Movement: CFB calibre MR3000, automatic, 33 jewels|
- Power reserve: 65h|
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, tourbillon|
- Strap: Black hybrid rubber, ‘textile’ texture, quick release system with 18K rose gold pin-lock folding clasp|
- Price/availability: Price on request, unique piece
Powering all three piece uniques is the CFB MR3000 automatic movement. It’s a seriously impressive calibre with COSC chronometer certification despite featuring some of the most complex functions in haute horology in the form of a flying tourbillon and minute repeater. It also has a 65-hour power reserve which is really good for the same reasons.
Given their haute horology nature and gorgeous luxe finishes, it’s not surprising that these are pieces unique. Equally, it’s unsurprising that they’re price on request. Although the fact that they’re up for sale at all is a surprise as I’d expect them to hold on to these to wheel out on special occasions as they are fabulous displays of what the brand can do.
More details at Carl F. Bucherer.
