Following on from the success of its Heritage BiCompax Annual début in 2019, Carl F. Bucherer returns with a brand-new model in “reverse panda” style as a teaser to its big Watches & Wonders 2021 reveal next month.
Panda Mania
The very first Heritage BiCompax Annual model the brand unveiled came in stainless steel with a white dial and black subdials. This highly contrasting black and white design is typically referred to as the “panda dial” thanks to its resemblance to the face of the much-loved animal of the same name. The “reverse panda”, with a black face and white eyes, reverses the colours and has become equally popular among watch aficionados who appreciate retro design.
“The feedback we received when we first introduced the Heritage BiCompax Annual two years ago was overwhelming,” shares Sascha Moeri, CEO of Carl F. Bucherer. “Customers and fans of the brand have been asking us ever since to let this reference live on with further variants. With the new version, we are responding to that request.”
Design Details
Limited to 888 pieces – as a nod to the founding year of the brand in 1888 – the new Heritage BiCompax Annual comes with a jet-black dial, silver-coloured sub dials, and syringe-shaped hands that have been enhanced with a sliver of luminescence for optimal reading in low light.
The dial also features a useful tachymeter scale than runs around the outside of the dial and offers an additional vintage touch. The timepiece is housed in a 41mm stainless steel case that is fitted with domed sapphire crystals – front and back – and comes with a choice of an elegant black calfskin leather strap, or a black rubber strap.
The Heritage Collection
The Heritage BiCompax Annual is part of the brand’s popular Heritage collection that was launched in New York in 2018 with the Heritage Tourbillon Double Peripheral in rose gold. Ever since, the brand has been enhancing this unique collection with more and more limited editions. This new reverse panda dial version joins the aforementioned panda dial model, but also a version with a pink champagne dial in rose gold and steel.
Looking Through the Sapphire Glass
All the Heritage BiCompax Annual models are powered by the automatic chronograph calibre CFB 1972 that comes with a 42-hour power reserve. The movement indicates the hours and minutes in the centre, a big date at 12 o’clock (that only needs to be modified every four years on the 29th of February) and the month between the Roman numerals four and five. For the chronograph readings, the chronograph seconds hand is in the centre, while the chronograph minutes and seconds are displayed on the elegant silver subdials.
“This new collection is a tribute to more than 13 decades of watchmaking art ‘Made in Lucerne’,” explains Moeri. “We look forward to further expanding this line of only limited-edition timepieces in the next few months. Watch lovers should definitely keep an eye out for the all-digital edition of Watches & Wonders in April this year.”
Rest assured that WorldTempus will be keeping you up-to-date with all Carl F. Bucherer’s news as it happens, so stay tuned for more.
