WATCH TO WATCH

Riding a Dark Wave: The Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Black (Updated with Live Photos)


Good news for fans of Carl F. Bucherer’s Patravi ScubaTec Manta Trust and Black Manta Editions who loved those watches’ dark colorways and their environmentalist bonafides but didn’t necessarily want illustrations of manta rays on their watch’s dial. In April, the Lucerne-based firm will launch the Patravi ScubaTec Black, which offers all the attributes of its predecessors, including sustainably sourced straps, in a new deep-black package with the traditional ScubaTec fish-scale-motif dial.

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Black
PPR Media Relations AG
The Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Black has a titanium DLC case and ceramic bezel.

The latest member of the Patravi ScubaTec family, which is not a limited edition, presents itself in a 44.6-mm titanium case with a matte black DLC coating. The unidirectional rotating dive-scale bezel is made of the same substance, along with a scratch-resistant black ceramic insert. The textured black dial, minus the bronze-colored manta rays of the Black Manta Edition, hosts indices amply coated with blue-tinted Super-LumiNova, a substance also applied to the hour and minute hand and the tip of the central seconds hand. The date appears in a window at 3 o’clock, and an automatic helium release valve in the side of the case protects the watch from damage from pressure changes when it is worn inside a diving bell. The screw-down crown and the thick sapphire crystal over the dial help ensure the watch an impressive water resistance of 500 meters.

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Black - back
PPR Media Relations AG
The solid caseback features the image of two manta rays.

The timepiece is powered by Carl F. Bucherer’s Caliber CFB 1950.1 caliber, a 25-jewel automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. Its high level of precision has earned it official chronometer certification from the Contrôle Officiel Suisse de Chronomètres (COSC), as attested to by the certificate that comes with each watch. The movement, as in most other ScubaTec models, ticks behind a solid caseback, here made of DLC-coated titanium with relief-engraved manta rays. The watch is mounted on a black rubber strap with a textile inlay made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles removed from the ocean — a statement of sustainability and ocean awareness that springs from Carl F. Bucherer’s longtime partnership with the Manta Trust, a charity committed to protecting and ensuring the survival of endangered manta rays. (A standard black rubber strap is also available.) The watch fastens to the wrist with a folding clasp made of black DLC titanium.

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Black - underwater
PPR Media Relations AG
Among the watch’s attributes are its 500-meter water resistance and chronometer-certified accuracy.

The Patravi ScubaTec Black will retail for $7,200. Find live photos below.

No Responses to “Riding a Dark Wave: The Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Black (Updated with Live Photos)”

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  1. I absolutely LOVE my Black ScubaTec! Fit and finish is impeccable, and it just looks badass!

    Reply
  2. Neil Davey

    I don’t see any measurement for the description of the crystal in the text, just that it is “thick”? However in my view this is looks like a great watch at a pretty good price, certainly favourably comparable with Omega pricing and a lot cheaper that the lowest price submariner with a date. But Oris takes the prize for value when it comes to titanium divers watches in my opinion.

    Reply
  3. Have always liked Carl Bucherer watches, at least the look and specs, particularly their dive watches. Price wise, and resale makes it a challenge to add to a collection. They are not every day watches

    Reply
  4. Sam Chen

    $7k! Even placement in a new John Wick won’t help sell this watch

    Reply
  5. Randy Rogers

    “nearly 4-Inch thick Crystal”! I’ve been out of the game for 5 years, I know everyone’s proud of their product, I know the CF Bucherer heritage, going back to May 1974 when I saw their stores in Lucerne and at the Burgenstock Resort, I understand all are still chasing the “King”, Titanium OK, 500 Meters, OK, Chronometre, OK, but a 3 Hand/Cal, non-Limited Edition, the “Kill-Zone” should be closer to $5,750.00, MAX $5,995.00 U.S. Suggested Retail. Take the ego out of your margins by a few bucks and this piece turns and theirs energy and attention to the Case-line.

    Reply
  6. Leslie Komaromi

    Four inches is an awfully thick crystal! Otherwise, it stacks up pretty well to my Submariner for
    less money.

    Reply
  7. Jesse Schriner

    I believe you meant millimeter and not “4-inch thick sapphire crystal”.

    Reply
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