As part of its new Heritage Collection, Carl F. Bucherer has announced the Heritage Bicompax Annual Chronograph in steel and two-tone, an annual calendar chronograph inspired by the brand’s 1950’s line-up and design language.
Specifications
Brand: Carl F. Bucherer
Model: Heritage Bicompax Annual Chronograph
Dimensions: 41mm diameter, 14.05mm-thick
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Case Material: Stainless steel/18 k rose gold or stainless steel
Crystal/Lens: Double-domed sapphire with dual sided AR coating
Movement: CFB 1972 Caliber automatic
Frequency: Unknown
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Cognac brown calfskin leather, or embossed black rubber
Price & Availability: $7,200 for steel, $10,200 for two-tone, each limited to 888 pieces.
Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Bicompax Annual (PPR/Carl F. Bucherer)
The Heritage Bicompax Annual Chronograph is being offered in two flavors, a fully steel-cased model with a panda dial and a rose gold/steel two-tone model with a champagne dial. Aside from aesthetics, both watches feature the same specifications, with a 41mm diameter case that is 14.05mm-thick, water resistant to 30 meters, and has a double-domed sapphire crystal. Powering these watches is the CFB 1972 caliber, an automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve and 47 jewels. What fascinates me about this movement and model is how much functionality CFB was able to put into the watch without over complicating the dial design. You get a large two-cutout date window just below the 12 position and the month indicator between 4 and 5 that make up the annual calendar complication, then the bicompax subdials to display the chronograph information and running seconds, all in a case that is just 41mm-wide and a hair over 14mm-thick.
Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Bicompax Annual (PPR/Carl F. Bucherer)
If there’s one trend I’ve noticed at Baselworld the last couple of years, it’s that Switzerland wants two-tone to happen, whether we like it or not. And I think I’m finally coming to terms with it. While I greatly prefer the steel case and panda-dial colorway of the Heritage Bicompax, the rose gold offers a warmth that the steel just can’t achieve. Heritage reissues certainly aren’t slowing down either, but it does feel like brands are starting to narrow down to what works really well with them. With this Heritage Bicompax, Carl F. Bucherer selected well, in my opinion. This is an attractively designed dial that retains a lot of its vintage lineage, without feeling like it was designed in a boardroom.
Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Bicompax Annual (PPR/Carl F. Bucherer)
Carl F. Bucherer is limiting the Heritage Bicompax Annual Chronograph to 888 pieces for each variant, a nod to the founding date of the company, 1888. The models will be available later in 2019 (specific release dates yet to be announced) and will be priced at $7,200 for the steel case/panda, and $10,200 for the two-tone. Learn more at carl-f-bucherer.com.
