It has recently become quite obvious throughout the watch industry that many brands dig deep in their archives and recall on their heritage. But why does everyone seem to wallow in memory of the old times? It is probably just an instinctively reaction in times of change, and without doubt the watch industry – just like pretty much most of the world – is in transition. We all need to accept that it is a fast moving period – possibly too fast. But it is not always necessary to move in a forward direction. You can take one step back, as long as you do two steps forward.
Like from a past time – the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Retro-Style
Lucerne based watchmarker Carl F. Bucherer does not only have a long tradition with a deep heritage, but also an incredible strong knowledge in watch manufacturing. And possibly with their new Manero Flyback Retro-Style they just have caught the spirit of the time, taking a step back in history, but at the same time use modern technology and pick up a current trend.
The perforated leather wristband reminds us of the straps from car racing watches from the 60th and 70th
The general Manero collection stands for elegant, complex and timeless watches. From the outside you will always find the cleaned-up case and dial, smooth rounding, but from inside the watches are usually equipped with either a Tourbillon or Moonphase and Perpetual Calendar complications. And in 2016 they added a Flyback to the Manero collection, which is now being re-launched as a Retro-style edition.
The color combination on the dial enhances the Retro look
What has changed is not so much the inside, but the outside appearance. It still houses the CFB 1970 chronograph calibre with flyback function. A flyback is that useful and clever function allowing to stop, reset and start the chronograph all at once by only pressing the pusher (usually at 4 o’clock) instead of stopping, resetting and restarting with one push each.
Chronograph calibre with flyback function
The case style of the Manero collection is already kind of retro itself. Now this look is enhanced by the contrasting colours of the new Manero Flyback Retro-Style. The black dial matches very well with the silver totalizators and the red touches that are subtle worked into the dial. Whereas most Manero watches come with a black or brown leather strap, Carl F. Bucherer this time has used a golden brown ‘kudu’-leather strap with suede finish which takes you – at least now – back in time, to the Chronographs used for car racings with their distinctive perforation. No surprise that the Manero Flyback Retro-Style is inspired by the CFB models from the 1960s and 1970s.
The strap is made from golden-brown kudu-leather
The automatic movement offers a power reserve of 42 hours and the recording of short times operates via a thermally blued gear wheel. It is not an in-house movement however a very reliable ETA7750 modified by La Joux-Perret, a Swiss specialist in movement manufacturing.
