When it comes to luxury pens, drawing tools, and especially colored pencils, few can boast the same authority as the Swiss brand Caran d’Ache. For over a century, Caran d’Ache has supplied artists and professionals with some of the world’s best writing and drawing instruments, and the brand’s new collaboration with Carl F. Bucherer has led to a vibrant horological celebration dedicated to Caran d’Ache’s most famous artistic tools. The new limited edition Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature reimagines the brand’s classic chronograph, giving it a playful touch and a more relaxed character, creating a unique and compelling stylistic hybrid.
The 43mm stainless steel case of the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature is carried over from the standard Manero Flyback model, maintaining a blend of bold dimensions and classic design elements. The flowing, tapering polished chamfer running along the sides of the case adds an elegant curve to the long athletic lugs in initial images, and also introduces a reflective glint to break up the predominantly matte finish. Elements such as the flat polished bezel and oversized piston pushers give the case an initial sense of mid-century refinement, but the narrow bezel width and substantial 14.45mm thickness should ensure a prominent presence on the wrist. Carl F. Bucherer finishes the case with a sapphire display caseback, but this element likely exacerbates the Manero Flyback Signature’s water resistance issues, as it is rated for only 30 meters.
The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature most vividly showcases its Caran d’Ache inspiration through its dial design. Like the case, the main dial layout follows the standard Manero Flyback, but here, this sharp classic look takes on a more whimsical character thanks to the new color scheme. The applied indices naturally take center stage, adding a rainbow gradient to the hour track. The pointed, dagger-like shape of these indices also contributes to the theme: the rich colors and pointed tips visually echo Caran d’Ache’s signature colored pencils in images.
The chronograph minute subdial at 3 o’clock adds further vibrancy, coating the skeletonized “dauphine” hand in bold sports red. Beneath this new color spectrum, the Manero Flyback Signature’s mid-century inspired design remains unchanged, with a beautifully taut look that skillfully plays with both serif dial text and a broad range of visual textures. The light gloss finish of the colored indices creates a consistent highlight against the silver main dial, recessed anthracite azurage subdials, and the contrasting matte silver chapter ring. Overall, this is an impressively subtle and well-balanced dial concept, even the 6 o’clock date window maintains a sense of visual weight distribution and symmetry.
Like other members of the Manero Flyback family, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature uses the automatic flyback chronograph movement CFB 1970, based on the Valjoux 7753 (the brand could not provide movement images before publication). Alongside the flyback function, the CFB 1970 offers a solid, if unremarkable, 42-hour power reserve at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour. Carl F. Bucherer complements the package with a pair of woven NATO straps made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate, each featuring unique color schemes and multi-layer construction.
The more striking of these is executed in white, with red edge highlights and an off-center accent stripe in gray calfskin. Carl F. Bucherer also offers an alternative version of this strap in a two-tone blue execution with a black leather accent stripe. Both strap options lend the traditionally dressy Manero Flyback line a more relaxed, casual look that may contradict the initial design ethos but uniquely complements the new colorway of the Manero Flyback Signature. Included with the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature is a limited edition Caran d’Ache Signature rollerball pen with fine rhodium and silver engraving and lacquered triangular rainbow highlights that echo the watch indices.
The limited edition Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature, while dramatically different from the traditional line style, has found its own voice with a more dynamic, eye-catching character that pays colorful homage to Caran d’Ache’s writing instruments.
Only 188 pieces of the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature will be produced, and the watch is available now at authorized dealers for $7,200 USD. For more information, visit the brand's website.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – CARL F. BUCHERER MANERO FLYBACK SIGNATURE
Case: 43mm diameter x 14.45mm height – stainless steel case, satin and polished finish – sapphire crystal with AR coating – sapphire caseback – mushroom-shaped chronograph pushers – water resistance 30m
Dial: Silver-colored dial – graphite gray sub-registers – rainbow hour indices – dauphine-style hour and minute hands with skeletonization – chronograph seconds hand with red tip – red chronograph minute hand – date window at 6 o’clock
Movement: Caliber CFB 1970 (proprietary, manufactured by La Joux-Perret) – automatic chronograph with integrated column wheel – 30.40mm x 7.90mm – 25 jewels – 28,800 bph (4 Hz) – 42-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, date, small seconds, chronograph with 30-minute counter
Strap: Textured NATO strap made from recycled polyethylene in beige and red – gray calfskin patch – steel pin buckle
Availability: Limited edition of 188 pieces
Includes Caran d’Ache Signature Rollerball pen
Price: $7,200 USD