Introducing: The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback In Rose Gold
Quick Take
With the introduction of the Manero Flyback Chronograph last year, Carl F. Bucherer gave us a watch that struck all the right notes of ’40s chronograph cool. Now they’ve gone ahead and propelled it squarely into the dress category by introducing the Manero Flyback in a lustrous rose gold case. The watch strikes a careful balance between sporty looks and modern elegance, with the rose gold case edging it ever so slightly towards the elegant end of the spectrum. In short, this is a chronograph for people who might typically wear a dress watch, or a dress watch for people who might prefer chronographs.
At a sizeable 43mm, the curved lines of the case mimic the design language Bucherer used in the ’60s. It’s sized for 2019, but exudes the spirit of yesteryear. The convex crystal rounds out the retro vibe, with mushroom pushers to tie the aesthetic together. A red central chronograph seconds hand and bright silver “panda” totalizer sub-dials restrain the straight sophistication of a rose gold case nicely, and a red “FLYBACK” at six o’clock is a not-so-subtle touch that lets folks know that this isn’t just a watch with a pretty case.
Under the hood you’ll find a caliber CFB 1970 automatic movement finished in contrasting patterns: circular-grain and Geneva stripes. The column-wheel movement features a 42-hour power reserve and you’ll be able to ogle the details through a display caseback.
Initial Thoughts
Dial design typifies the classic watch categories: Dress, Dive, Sports, GMT, and so on. A bi-compax chronograph layout might epitomize the sports watch archetype in many ways, but a bi-compax chronograph in rose gold can easily flirt with an identity crisis. Luckily that’s not the case here; the Manero pulls off the rose gold and chronograph combo nicely. A rally-style leather strap with red stitching paired with a rose gold case is exactly the sort of watch fit for the modern bon vivant.
Like I said earlier, this is a chronograph that works nicely for folks who are accustomed to something a little more sporty, but perhaps need to dress it up a bit for some reason or another. With bold red accents and a flyback function, it has the guts to stand up to something like timing a run in a vintage sports car. A flyback …read more
