Carl F. Bucherer Editorial G.r.r. New Releases New Watches New Watches 2021 Patravi

How The New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives x Manta Trust Leads In Sustainable Values

The pristine waters, the beautiful aquatic life, and the untamed grandeur of the oceans are all worth protecting. The new Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives is more than just a handsome watch. It is a beacon of hope that you proudly carry on your wrists. 

How The New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives x Manta Trust Leads In Sustainable Values

Editor’s note: This year at Watches & Wonders 2021 Carl F. Bucherer has had a stellar run with the mesmerising Manero Minute Repeater Symphony and the beautiful Heritage BiCompax Annual. And Before we get to dive deep into the releases and go hands-on with as many of these as the two of us here can, here’s our preview and the Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the new Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives. For our other detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here

Handsome Is As Handsome Does

Oceans can be both: a life-affirming source of perpetual growth or a bottomless pit of despair. The flourishing of aquatic life falls under the former category. The exploitation of oceanic creatures falls under the latter. 

Manta rays are slowly treading the decline to extinction. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and The National Marine Fisheries Service have listed the giant manta ray as an endangered species. Simply put, the mantra ray population needs conservation. 

New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Reef Manta Ray, Manta alfredi, Dhiggaru Kandu, Ari Atoll, Maldives. (Carl F. Bucherer)

A ray of hope shatters the darkness. Enter Carl F. Bucherer (CFB) along with the UK based NGO Manta Trust. 

Propelling this into a long-term commitment is this partnership that first took roots in 2013. And since 2017, CFB has released four timepieces in partnership with Manta Trust to help further the R&D and preservation of the ecosystems and habitat of the manta rays. The sales of the latest version will directly feature a charitable contribution to support a remarkable new Manta Trust initiative: the creation of a floating research station in the Maldives. 

The idiom handsome is as handsome does just got a fresh face. Say hello to the new Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives. 

New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives Close. (Carl F. Bucherer)

Gut Reaction

The new CFB Patravi ScubaTec Maldives follows the familiar design DNA of the Patravi family that now consists of 23 models with 44 variations. Within this expansive family sits the diver ScubaTec series. 

When I first saw the photos of this watch, it felt a bit familiar. Then I realised it takes cues from the regular production model ref. 00.10632.23.53.01 with a similar blue dial within the same body architecture. 

But on closer inspection, a number of details stood out, that define this special edition ScubaTec Maldives. 

Unlike the existing ScubaTec lineup, the bright blue textured dial with lacquered wave decoration is completely new, evoking the untameable spirit of ocean waves. The bezel colour combination of blue and white is also novel and further lends distinctiveness to this particular model.

The rest follows the welcome code of the ScubaTec lineup: the textured dial is fronted by large, legible, lumed indices, only truncated at 3’o clock by a date aperture. The large skeletonised hands complete the sweep of time, again thankfully covered in lume. Framing this dance of time is a thick uni-directional non-slip stainless steel bezel with blue and white ceramic inlays and a 60-minute scale with luminous markings. The entire package comes cased inside a bold 44.6mm diameter stainless steel case.

New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives Mood. (Carl F. Bucherer)

To sweeten the deal CFB has thrown in 500m water resistance and a COSC-certified chronometer movement. 

So dive, explore the seas, swim at your local beach, or just relax on your yacht, the new Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives is there to cater to all aquatic needs and conscience

New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Reef Manta Ray & Rudderfish Split, Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, Maldives © Guy Stevens, Manta Trust 2009a.jpg. (Carl F. Bucherer)

The Watch 

The Patravi family currently features sports watches that include the 2019 Black Manta Special Edition, other men’s models in blue or black, and also a range of colourful timepieces for women. Last year the Patravi family was joined by the ScubaTec Black, a stealth version that featured exceptional legibility and a differently executed stylised wave pattern. It slowly became my go-to benchmark model when comparing other divers for handsomeness and legibility. 

The new Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives follows suit, this time bringing in a dose of electric blue to the mix. 

The reference 00.10632.23.53.02 (rubber strap with PET textile layer) features a COSC-certified chronometer calibre CFB 1950.1 that is an automatic mechanical movement. The 26.2 x 4.6mm movement is based on the tried and tested workhorse ETA 2824-2. It beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h), comprises of 25 rubies, and provides for a slightly low 38-hour power reserve. It shows centralised hour, minute, and second hands, and date at 3’o clock.

New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives Back. (Carl F. Bucherer)

The movement is encased inside a 44.6mm diameter and 13.45 thick stainless steel case with a unidirectional rotating steel/ceramic bezel. Besides offering a very immersive water-resistance of 500m (50 ATM), the case also features a screw-down winding crown at 3’o clock and an automatic helium escape valve at 8’o clock. 

The reference 00.10632.23.53.02 retails for $6’200 USD and comes on a rubber strap with recycled PET textile layer on a diving folding clasp in stainless steel. For those who prefer bracelets, there is an alternative ref. 00.10632.23.53.22 that comes on a stainless-steel bracelet and finely adjustable diving folding clasp in stainless steel. 

New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives Duo. (Carl F. Bucherer)

Wish List

The new Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives is suited for use both in water and on the land. But given it’s a diving focused timepiece, I would have preferred if the power-reserve could be increased to about 2-days; practically, it gives consumers who don’t dive every day and like to switch between timepieces the ability to use this watch twice or thrice a week without having to wind-up and set the time again and again. Perhaps moving towards the ETA 2892 might be a small step in the right direction. Though frankly, I look forward to CFB using their in-house movements in this collection. 

New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Reef Manta Ray, Manta alfredi, Surface Feeding, D’Arros Island, Amirantes, Seychelles. (Carl F. Bucherer)

Quotable

“The Patravi ScubaTec Maldives will help raise awareness of the urgent global need for marine preservation, and it will also support an important initiative: the creation of a game-changing floating research station”.

Sascha Moeri, CEO Carl F. Bucherer

“Carl F. Bucherer has generated an enormous amount of interest in these amazing creatures, and we look forward to continuing the partnership well into the future”.

Dr. Guy Stevens, the founder and CEO of the Manta Trust
New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives Front. (Carl F. Bucherer).

That’s All Folks! 

This cheery blue coloured watch offers the positive news of its sales assisting in creation of the floating research station vessel that will allow the world’s leading manta experts to reach far-flung areas within the Maldives. 

Together, CFB and Manta Trust have been working for eight years to help  build a solid foundation that can create a sustainable future for the manta rays. Instead of survival of the fittest, it’s refreshing to witness a drive that promotes a healthy & diverse marine ecosystem for those that are endangered. 

New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Reef Manta Ray Cleaning C, Mudakan Kandu, Addu Atoll, Maldives. (Carl F. Bucherer)

Also impressive is —  beyond this Maldives campaign that makes CFB one of the frontrunners in sustainable values — the use of environmentally conscious straps for the new ScubaTec Maldives. The matching to the dial blue strap is made of natural rubber with its fabric insert being made of 100% recycled bottles recovered from the Mediterranean Sea.

The pristine waters, the beautiful aquatic life, and the untamed grandeur of the oceans are all worth protecting. The new Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives is more than just a handsome watch. It is a beacon of hope that you proudly carry on your wrists. 

New Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives
Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives Water. (Carl F. Bucherer)

To find out more about the new Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Maldives x Manta Trust and other CFB watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise specified are Courtesy © Carl F. Bucherer.

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