he new version of the Heritage BiCompax Annual is another historically inspired addition to the Heritage collection by Carl F. Bucherer. “This unique collection is our tribute to more than 13 decades of watchmaking art ‘Made of Lucerne.’ And 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 and Wonders in April this year,” says Sascha Moeri, CEO of Carl F. Bucherer.

With this new model, Carl F. Bucherer responds to the huge waves of excitement that the first two versions of the Heritage BiCompax Annual created when launched in 2019. “The feedback we received when we first introduced the Heritage BiCompax Annual two years ago was overwhelming. 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,” says Moeri.

Again, an archival piece dating back to circa 1950 served as inspiration for the Heritage BiCompax. The elegant chronograph combines the vintage flair of the watch that inspired it with contemporary features, such as a 41 mm stainless-steel case. The new edition of course also features the BiCompax dial design of its retro predecessor: two symmetrically arranged silver-colored chronograph counters are positioned on the horizontal central axis on the deep-black galvanized dial, framed by a tachymeter scale.

Thereby, the new edition of the Heritage BiCompax reverses the color concept of the first stainless-steel model, which featured a white dial and black totalizators, also referred to as the “panda design,” making the new timepiece a so-called “reversed panda.”

Watch enthusiasts will love the black calfskin leather strap with silver-colored stitching and the folding pin buckle, which perfectly complements the design of the dial. The new timepiece is also available on a sporty and comfortable rubber strap. The new Heritage BiCompax Annual is again limited to 888 pieces, as a nod to Carl F. Bucherer’s founding year of 1888.

The Heritage BiCompax Annual may be reminiscent of its retro predecessor on the outside, but it is powered by an ultramodern automatic movement on the inside. The CFB 1972 caliber boasts 42 hours of power reserve, satisfying even highly demanding technical requirements. The fact that a convenient automatic movement now powers this watch is not the only modern refinement compared to the original. The new version also features an annual calendar and a large date display that takes the different month lengths – 28, 30, and 31 days – into account, which means it would only need to be corrected during a leap year – so the next time will be in 2024.

The launch of the Heritage Tourbillon Double Peripheral in rose gold in New York in 2018 was the kick start for the Heritage collection. Ever since, Carl F. Bucherer has been further enhancing this unique collection: the very new Heritage BiCompax Annual with the “reversed panda design” joins an elegant variant in rose gold, a sporty model in stainless steel with the “panda design,” and two versions of the Heritage Tourbillon Double Peripheral available in rose gold or precious white gold.

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Reference number: 00.10803.08.32.01 (leather strap)
• 00.10803.08.32.02 (rubber strap)
• Movement: Automatic, CFB 1972 caliber, diameter 30 mm, height 7.3 mm, 47 jewels,
• power reserve 42 hours
• Functions: Chronograph: minutes and seconds counters, annual calendar, big date,
• hour, minute, small seconds, tachymeter scale
• Case: Stainless steel, double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• on both sides, sapphire crystal case back, water-resistant to 30 m (3 atm),
• diameter 41 mm, height 14.15 mm
• Dial: Black with silver-colored counters
• Strap: Calfskin leather strap or rubber strap with stainless-steel folding pin buckle
• Limited edition: 888 pieces
• Price: CHF 6,900