Green Initiative: Carl F. Bucherer Releases the New Patravi ScubaTec Verde to Support Research on Manta Rays

More and more luxury watchmakers seem keen on promoting sustainability and conservation efforts. They also want to tell consumers that they are committed to following the global best practices when it comes to sourcing raw materials and using renewable energy and recycled materials. Several timepiece makers have also collaborated with various organisations to kickstart certain projects, such as those pertaining to protection of endangered species and ocean conservation; this in turn has helped them build consumer confidence. Carl F. Bucherer (CFB) is one such luxury watch brand, which has just unveiled the new Patravi ScubaTec Verde (Ref. 00.10632.23.93.01) watch to support the latest chapter of Manta Trust’s pioneering research project in Ecuador. 

The brand firmly believes that we need to look after the health of the oceans and the biodiversity of their ecosystems to protect the planet. In fact, Carl F. Bucherer has been associated with the Manta Trust, a UK-based charity organisation, since 2013. The Trust was established in 2011 with a mission to coordinate global research for manta rays, whose natural habitats are being put in jeopardy by such factors as pollution and overfishing. To promote this endeavour, the Lucerne-based watchmaker has so far created several manta ray-inspired timepieces and sponsored several projects, including research on the movement patterns of oceanic manta rays — listed as ‘endangered’ on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List — in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. In the process, a portion of each timepiece’s retail value had been donated directly to the charity organisation. 

The new Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Verde watch comes in a 44.6 mm stainless steel case with a green lacquered dial, sporting wave patterns, a green bezel, and a rubber strap, whose colour is inspired by the green waters around Isla de La Plata. The latter is a small island about 40 km off the Ecuadorian coast; it plays host to over 22,000 oceanic manta rays. With their wingspans reaching up to 20 feet (more than six metres), oceanic manta rays assemble around the island every August and September. It is said that this grouping is 10 times larger than any other subpopulation of the species anywhere on earth. This August, Carl F. Bucherer will be fully funding a team of researchers from the Manta Trust and Proyecto Mantas Ecuador to spend two weeks at Isla de La Plata monitoring the group.

The Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Verde watch also comes with a screw-down crown with crown guards and an automatic helium valve on the case flank at 8 o’clock to ensure that the gas escapes automatically during dives and ascents in order to prevent damage to the case. Furthermore, the timepiece gets chunkier, angular lugs in stainless steel and a unidirectional rotating, knurled stainless steel/ceramic bezel with Super-LumiNova®. The dial gets large, applied rhodium-plated hour markers, hour, minute and central seconds hands that are filled with Super-LumiNova to ensure visibility in low-light conditions, and a date window at 3 o’clock. The thick sapphire crystal has anti-reflective coating on both sides. 

Powering the watch is the CFB 1950.1 caliber, a COSC-certified chronometer movement with a power reserve of 38 hours; it is based on the ETA 2824-2 movement. Turning the watch over showcases the screwed and sealed caseback with engraving of two manta rays. Finishing the watch is a green rubber strap with a textile inlay, made from recycled PET, and a stainless steel diver’s folding clasp. The Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Verde watch, which offers 500-metre water resistance and is fitted with water-resistant gaskets, is suitable for rigorous water activities. So, flaunt this ScubaTec and do your bit to protect the precious habitats of manta rays.

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