This is the Carl F. Bucherer Patravi DayDate, a new model for 2012.

The Patravi portfolio is a collection of very fine timepieces – dapper and somewhat harmonious.  Harmonious? – Well the Patravi ChronoDate and Patravi TravelTec are distinguishable by their rounded cases and complimentary round subdials …… the superb Patravi EvoTec DayDate has a generous cushion-shaped case, its curvaceous shape reciprocated on the perfectly proportioned little small seconds and date window, also cushion-shaped.  The Patravi DayDate 2012 is a synthesis of forms, featuring both a rounded case and cushion-shaped indications.

So is this valiant departure a cleverly contrasting composition or dastardly dial discordance?  Perhaps you think than simply merging the two forms is hardly brave.  Maybe not – but it is adventurous.  This is an industry in which a little nip or tuck on the designer’s sketch pad can unleash a torrent of poor publicity, where something as simple as beefing-up a bezel or lengthening a lug can produce cyclonic criticism.  Thankfully it all works perfectly – this timepiece is as devilishly handsome as its predecessors, and the Patravi DayDate collection remains reassuringly “dud-free”.

Followers of the Carl F. Bucherer brand will already know that their first manufacure calibre, the CFB A1000 was launched at BaselWorld 2008 to great acclaim, uniquely it featured a bi-directional oscillating weight, which enabled a superb view of the movement normally found only with a manually wound calibre.  At the time, it was evident that this innovative calibre would have development possibilities for the future, and indeed, the new Patravi DayDate is powered by an evolution of the CFB A1000 – the A1001.

On the dial the hour and minute hands are chunky and reminiscent of weaponry.  The big date window and the day of the week aperture on the left leave ample dial space for the Carl F. Bucherer name, re-instated under the direction of Jörg Bucherer.  There are subtle details too – the fine chapter ring, the silvered markers taking the place of numerals – except for the perfect little “60″ on the small seconds dial, and the lining of the strap which picks up the red of the brand’s logo.

The Carl F. Bucherer Patravi DayDate for 2012 is housed in a 42.6mm stainless steel case and is presented on a black calfskin leather strap.

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Carl F. Bucherer present the Patravi EvoTec PowerReserve.  The Lucerne-based brand unveiled their innovative automatic Calibre CFB A1000 at Baselworld 2008 and this acclaimed movement forms the basis of the latest release.

The movement is the product of Carl F. Bucherer Technologies SA (CFBT) whose workshop in Sainte-Croix consists of a small but clearly highly skilled team, and the Calibre CFB A1000 will, we feel, form the basis of many more new releases such are its development possibilities.

The CFB A1000 has as (one of …) its most interesting features a bi-directional oscillating weight which is peripherally mounted enabling an unobstructed view of the movement, compared to the usual centrally mounted rotor.  To prevent the rotor being displaced a patented shock absorbing system  was developed using carbon coated rollers filled with ultra durable ball bearings and mountings which are sprung mounted onto rocking bars.

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi EvoTec PowerReserve

The EvoTec PowerReserve, the latest piece in the Patravi collection is powered by an updated version of this movement – the CFB A1002 which features the addition of a power reserve indicator displayed at the 3 o’clock position using a retro style curved aperture which reads High to Low.

Cushion shaped cases often add an impression of size to a piece and this one, available in stainless steel or rose gold is already a generous 43.75 x 44.5mm. Subsidiary seconds are displayed at the 6 o’clock in a harmonious little cushion shaped dial, large date aperture is at the upper left of the dial with day of the week at the 9 o’clock position.

Popularity: 9% [?]