Since its launch at Baselworld 2016, the Manero Flyback collection has continued to expand to the tune of at least one new iteration each year – evidence of the Lucerne watchmaker’s desire to offer its male clients a variety of models. On its introduction, the new Manero chronograph was available with either a rose gold or stainless steel case, and a silvered dial. The end of the year saw an original interpretation marrying pink gold with a champagne dial. It was a perfect fit for the “Made of Lucerne” ad campaign, its gilded aesthetic a clear reference to the baroque spirit of the town where the watchmaker was founded in 1888. In 2017, new dials appeared in black and grey-blue, and this spring at Baselworld, another black dial was unveiled, paired with a steel case and a brown leather strap.
Year on year, the Manero Flyback seems to accentuate its sportier elements, which help to differentiate it from the timeless elegance of the classic Manero. The latest version, which was launched very recently, is a clear example. For the first time on a Manero Flyback, the black dial is enlivened by red accents – the central stop seconds hand, the printed minutes track and the tachymeter scale – placing the watch firmly in the sports watch category. The thick golden brown kudu antelope strap, with its perforations and natural suede finish, brings a vintage touch to the timepiece.
As far as everything else is concerned, however, this new version of Carl F. Bucherer’s star chronograph remains faithful to the collection’s codes. The classic 43 mm round case features the characteristic lines of the Manero family; the curved bezel frames a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal with rounded edges, and the generously sized polished mushroom-shaped pushers provide comfortable access to the chronograph functions. On the dark sunbrushed dial with its spear-shaped hour and minute hands, the two silvered counters for the small seconds at 9 o’clock and the stop-minutes at 3 o’clock are recessed, enhancing the three-dimensional effect of the raised steel hour markers.
The watch’s functions are driven by the self-winding chronograph movement CFB 1970, which has a column wheel for measuring short time intervals. The flyback function makes it possible to record several successive intervals with just one press on the flyback button, which automatically restarts the chronograph seconds – unlike a standard chronograph, which requires three pushes (start, stop, zero). The movement manufactured in-house by Carl F. Bucherer beats at 28,800 vph and provides a power reserve of 42 hours. Its traditionally blued column wheel and the Geneva-striped rotor are visible through the sapphire caseback. This retro-sporty watch is available for 5,900 Swiss francs.
