Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scubatec Black Manta watch as seen at Baselworld 2019
Carl F. Bucherer is an independent watch line that we have covered quite extensively here on A Timely Perspective over the years. One of the main reasons we continue to follow and promote the brand revolves largely around the good the manufacturer has done with sustainability of oceanic life and their focus on the black manta ray. In 2017, Carl F. Bucherer partnered with Manta Trust, a UK organization focused on gathering information on the habitat in Maldives of the Manta rays, and released the Patravi ScubaTec Manta Trust. Recently at Baselworld 2019, Carl F. Bucherer unveiled the Patravi ScubaTec Black Manta Special Edition, pledging a portion of the sales to be donated to the charity.
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scubatec Black Manta watch is the newest in the series
The original ScubaTec piece was released in 2017 and was done in a gray scale, with manta rays on the dial of the watch in black and the bezel done in a black and white. There was also an alluring blue/black version. The newest limited-edition release adds a bit more color to the watch with a bronze and black motif with bronze-hued manta rays adorning the face of the watch and bronze and black combining on the bezel. In keeping with the manta deep sea theme, the watch is technologically outfitted to keep pace with its deep sea inspiration.
The 44.6 mm case is an ultra light titanium, which is new in the Carl F. Bucherer collection, and features a DLC coating and equipped with a helium escape valve, and water resistant to 500 meters. The bronze styling was done to convey feelings of aged diving tools used by those who made a living in or near the ocean. The unidirectional rotating bezel is created in ceramic and titanium and is equipped with the 15 minute countdown function for divers. Additionally the notches on the bezel make for easier manipulation while wearing diving gloves when finger dexterity can be limited. The indices glow a blue SuperLiminova when charged and add legibility in the murky surrounds of the deep. Finishing off the dial is a date window at the three o’clock position.
The piece is powered by the CFB 1950.1 calibre which itself is based on the ETA 2824-2. It boasts a 38 hour power reserve and fittingly sports an engraved manta ray on the case back of the watch. The ScubaTec comes on a black textile strap with bronze stitching and a DLC coated titanium folding clasp. The strap, with another nod to sustainability, is itself composed of recycled and reclaimed materials. The piece will retail for CHF 6,900.
The dive watch market place is a pretty crowded one and it can be difficult for one to stand out against another. With that being said, the bronze stylings and, more importantly, the noble purpose of the release create a compelling narrative for a prospective buyer. I for one am a big fan of bronze styling in general and the ScubaTec did a great job incorporating that particular aesthetic into this release. If you have a trip planned to the dealer, ask them for a closer look at this piece, you won’t be disappointed.
