The Patravi ScubaTec is Lucerne-based Carl F. Bucherer’s high-end diver’s watch assortment. It’s at present the Carl F. Bucherer mannequin that’s the preferred with timepiece fanatics. As is the case with many luxurious timepieces that endeavor to discover new designs, the Patravi ScubaTec was not an instantaneous success when it was initially launched almost a decade in the past. At this time, as Carl F. Bucherer shifts a lot of its advertising focus again to the West (together with Europe and the US), fashions such because the Patravi ScubaTec (there are numerous variants of the watch at this level) are going to be these timepieces that may entice a lot of the eye. At this time, I evaluation a two-tone metal and 18ok rose gold Patravi ScubaTec with a vivid blue dial that’s the reference 00.10632.24.53.21.
When the Patravi ScubaTec was first launched, the luxurious watch panorama was vastly completely different from right now — and accordingly, Carl F. Bucherer was a lot much less on the minds of timepiece collectors. At this time, a couple of notable issues have occurred for the reason that Patravi ScubaTec was first debuted. One of many issues is the brand new prominence the Bucherer title has in the US. It’s because Carl F. Bucherer’s father or mother firm (the Swiss watch retailer chain Bucherer) bought the legacy American watch retail chain Tourneau. Whereas the transition from Tourneau shops to Bucherer shops is continuing with calculated slowness, the significance and energy of the Bucherer title is changing into extra obvious to customers in elements of the world the place, till a couple of years in the past, the Carl F. Bucherer title didn’t imply a lot to them.
The second factor that has occurred within the final a number of years is Carl F. Bucherer’s diligent concentrate on significantly satisfying inclusion in a lot of Hollywood films together with Rambo, Atomic Blonde, a few of the Marvel superhero films, and the complete John Wick sequence. Extra relationships with enjoyable, action-focused films are within the works, and the technique appears to be working significantly nicely for the model in each the US and world wide. For instance, one of the vital well-liked Carl F. Bucherer watch articles revealed on aBlogtoWatch just lately was of a particular version “crew solely” Patravi ScubaTec that Carl F. Bucherer produced for John Wick three.
With extra consideration than ever earlier than, Carl F. Bucherer’s objective now could be to channel the suitable merchandise to customers newly eager about seeing what the model has to supply them. The excellent news for Carl F. Bucherer (and watch lovers) is that the model’s timepieces are very well-made and boast a lot of spectacular technical options that collectors are at present on the lookout for. This goes to indicate that spectacular timepieces, even when not instantly well-liked with customers, will discover their stride if the businesses that produce them put in sufficient effort and apply persistence. My expertise has demonstrated to me, time and time once more, that an excellent however novel watch can take three to 4 years to realize sufficient momentum with even the keenest of customers. In some cases, an in any other case nice watch can take a decade or extra.
The Patravi ScubaTec is a severe diver’s watch and really masculine in its presentation. It’s, nonetheless, a design that takes a little bit of time for some wearers to understand. I’ve usually requested myself why, and the reply I come to is that whereas that is, certainly, a luxurious timepiece in each building and options, the designers selected an inherently playful, virtually toy-like design that’s full with large fonts and loads of attention-grabbing angles meant to appease (or at the least entice) the attention.
After carrying a couple of Patravi ScubaTec watches over time, I’ve come to essentially recognize what Carl F. Bucherer acquired proper within the assortment, how these are each snug and ergonomic, and in addition how these items evaluate with different equally priced “luxurious way of life” diver’s watches. What really got here to thoughts the primary time I wore this metal and 18ok rose gold on bracelet model of the Patravi ScubaTec was that the carrying expertise was very very like a last-generation Breitling Chronomat or different related watch that’s heavy (actually) on well-polished metallic and that has a considerable but snug really feel to it. With that additionally comes a really jewelry-like presence on the wrist, given the enticing polished surfaces and the way gentle displays on the numerous angles and aspects of the case and bracelet’s design.
One factor I’ve actually come to understand within the Patravi ScubaTec is how Carl F. Bucherer took a longtime method (the luxurious diver’s watch) however rendered it a way solely distinctive for the model. That is the largest problem when a model desires to supply a contender in an current product house. The query they must reply is how these new merchandise can really feel acquainted to customers, but additionally have sufficient factors of distinction to not get misplaced within the mixture of many out there merchandise.
To reply this query, Carl F. Bucherer started by developing with a design that merely doesn’t appear to be every other luxurious dive watch on the market. You don’t have a look at the Patravi ScubaTec case, dial, or arms and consider every other model. That is what Carl F. Bucherer was going for, and in any case these years for the reason that watch was debuted, it nonetheless has a particular design to it. That stage of product originality might be what took the Patravi ScubaTec so a few years to develop into well-liked however now serves the model nicely and appears to say, “Look, we’ve had one thing authentic and well-made all this time now — you can also uncover it.”
As a diver’s watch, the Patravi ScubaTec has sufficient technical advantage to be relied upon by severe professionals, however in fancier types equivalent to this with gold and on the out there bracelet, I believe most house owners will take pleasure in this as a way of life diver’s watch that may simply deal with some pool or seaside time in a pinch. The case is water-proof to 500 meters, has a uni-directional rotating bezel, a really legible dial with wonderful lume, and an computerized helium launch valve designed into the facet of the case. I’ll discuss extra concerning the diver’s extension within the bracelet after I get to that a part of the watch under.
The case itself is 44.6mm-wide with a not-terrible 13.45mm of thickness. The lug-to-lug distance isn’t too dangerous at 52mm, which helps the watch preserve good wearability even for smaller wrists equivalent to my very own. Notice how attention-grabbing the Patravi ScubaTec case is designed, with angles and surfaces additional enhanced in contrast polished and brushed surfaces. For my part, the case work and stage of detailing is superior within the Patravi ScubaTec than these in lots of different equally priced luxurious diver watches. Over the dial is a flat AR-coated sapphire crystal that suffers from little or no glare.
Carl F. Bucherer makes use of ceramic inlay for the rotating bezel that right here is in black and blue tones. I actually must admit that seeing this watch merely in photos left me involved about how severe and high-end this coloration palette would look in individual. On prime of that was a reminiscence of how I wore a Rolex Submariner Rolesor (two-tone) with the blue dial — and it didn’t match my persona almost in addition to with a black dial. In truth, Carl F. Bucherer gives this very same watch with a black dial because the reference 00.10632.24.33.21. Going again to the blue dial, I occurred to not solely discover it becoming for my persona however actually benefit from the enticing blue pop on my wrist, because it seems to be particularly good with the rose gold arms and hour markers.
Dial design for the Patravi ScubaTec is a matter of style, however as I stated, it grew on me after carrying it for a couple of days. The utilized rounded hour markers and matching arms are legible and distinctive of their look and, in the end, very efficient of their job. Look intently because the dial itself and also you’ll discover a “fish scale” sample that an attention-grabbing different to the same “water waves” sample we regularly see on dive watches that try and create a texture for the face. In any other case the Patravi ScubaTec is straight-forward and utility-based when it comes to the design and format of the time+date dial design.
Contained in the Patravi ScubaTec is a sourced Swiss Made ETA 2892-A2 computerized motion that has been regulated in-house by Carl F. Bucherer and in addition given a COSC Chronometer certification. Carl F. Bucherer is a Swiss watchmaker that does produce in-house actions however not in all of their timepieces. Except the model desires so as to add some novel issues to the Patravi ScubaTec sooner or later, I don’t actually see the necessity for an in-house motion right here, however given the value level of this watch, I do know that at the least some collectors will really feel that this watch ought to embody one in all Carl F. Bucherer’s very compelling in-house actions such because the A1000. Maybe, in time, new variations of the Patravi ScubaTec will experiment with in-house-made Carl F. Bucherer actions, however I’m not going to lose any sleep or appreciation for the Patravi ScubaTec assortment whereas ready.
I can’t say for positive, however I don’t assume the Patravi ScubaTec watches initially all had mantas on the caseback (although I might be flawed). In the previous couple of years, Carl F. Bucherer started to help an oceanographic wildlife preservation charity generally known as The Manta Belief (and has subsequently launched two watches related to the group). Now, manta rays and the Patravi ScubaTec appear to be related, and that’s the place I believe this specific caseback got here from. Whereas it’s a matter of style, the mix of the Manta Ray motif on the rear of the case and the fish scales on the dial is a enjoyable method of connecting this way of life luxurious watch with the “world” that impressed it. It is usually good to know that for those who really need to take this timepiece diving to see Manta Rays, then the Patravi ScubaTec will submerge with you greater than willingly.
Most Patravi ScubaTec watches come on customized rubber straps with high-end deployant clasps. These most likely take advantage of sense for sporting actions or precise diving. That stated, I’m an enormous sucker for bracelets, and that’s the reason I used to be so on this specific mannequin. Right here you see it in its two-tone fashion with principally metal hyperlinks and a double row of 18ok rose gold heart hyperlinks. The perfect a part of the bracelet is the deployant clasp, which isn’t new however, given client calls for proper now, was clearly forward of its time.
The deployant claps opens semi-butterfly-style and, when open, has two segments. One phase features a fold-out diver’s extension (which lets you put on the watch over a diving/moist swimsuit and even only a jacket. The opposite facet of the deployant features a welcome micro-adjust system, which is basically what collectors are on the lookout for now. This method permits the consumer to simply modify the scale of the bracelet in small measurement increments. This lets you loosen the bracelet when your wrist naturally expands, after which to tighten it once more if you’d like the watch to be worn extra snugly (equivalent to for any sports activities or lively obligation).
Carl F. Bucherer has actually began to refine the fashion of the Patravi ScubaTec over the previous couple of years — notably within the attention-grabbing restricted editions. I’ve a sense that given how well-liked the gathering is, we are going to see much more novelty within the core (non-limited) assortment. The Patravi ScubaTec isn’t the least costly product line from the model, however I really really feel that it’s a good place to start out for a lot of collectors (except you actually need to begin with the “John Wick” watch — that could be a relatively demure dress-style Carl F. Bucherer that additionally has an ETA motion — worn on the wrist of Keanu Reeves whereas enjoying the John Wick character). For my part, the Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec is an efficient different to a Rolex Submariner because it has extra persona and is extra masculine in fashion; it’s additionally an excellent different to an Omega diver’s watch as a result of the case and bracelet are higher made; and it’s an excellent different to a Breitling for individuals who see extra attraction or status with the Carl F. Bucherer model.
For me, the quirky visible charms of the Patravi ScubaTec give it differentiation within the market that I, as a seasoned collector, admire. Beneath the design is a really stable diver’s watch and a high-end jewelry-style timepiece product which gives what customers must be on the lookout for in a watch at this value level. Beginning value for a Patravi ScubaTec in all-steel on a rubber strap is $6,200 USD, and as configured on metal and 18ok rose gold on the matching bracelet, this Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec reference 00.10632.24.53.21 has a retail value of $11,800 USD. Be taught extra on the Carl F. Bucherer web site right here.
Vital Information
>Model: Carl F. Bucherer
>Mannequin: Patravi ScubaTec reference 00.10632.24.53.21
>Value: $11,800 USD as examined
>Measurement: 44.6mm-wide, 13.45mm-thick, and 52mm lug-to-lug distance
>When reviewer would personally put on it: As a daily-wear high-end diver’s watch that draws some good visible consideration however that could be a acquainted, snug software on the finish of the day.
>Good friend we’d suggest it to first: Because the model continues to realize reputation, that is nice for somebody who desires a simple luxurious diver’s watch however isn’t eager about something from the opposite established manufacturers.
>Finest attribute of watch: Authentic design constructed on a tried & true luxurious dive watch method. Comfy on the wrist regardless of measurement and weight. Glorious building and detailing all through. Actually hasn’t given me any ergonomic issues to complain about. Deployant clasp design will attraction to collectors.
>Worst attribute of watch: “Massive boy toy” design isn’t for everybody — but it surely does develop on you. With principally restricted editions because the newer ScubaTec watches, the model could be due for a refresh of the core assortment. Some followers will really feel that this mannequin could be extra interesting with an in-house-made motion (for the value).
