Carl F. Bucherer Reduces The Manero Flyback Chronograph To 40mm (Live Pics & Price)

The Manero Flyback Chronograph by Carl F. Bucherer has always been a handsome, retro-styled watch and almost a collection within a collection. With numerous materials and colour combinations available, it is quite the standout watch with its masculine dimensions, clear and well-balanced design and strong movement underneath. But, in all honesty, coming in at 43mm in diameter might have put off a few people who like the looks but not the dimensions (on paper, at least, things always change once on the wrist). With that in mind, and with the trend for smaller watches continuing, Carl F. Bucherer now introduces the more compact Manero Flyback Chronograph 40mm in five fresh colour combinations.

Introduced in 2016, the Manero Flyback Chronograph is one of those watches that look good regardless of material and dial colour. We saw a fabulous green iteration launched late last year, but a blue-grey or classical black and silver dial also fit the watch perfectly. The design reminds us of classic bicompax chronograph watches – never a bad thing, but refreshed and modern thanks to the great attention to detail. The new Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Chronograph 40mm is not a radical departure from the original Manero Flyback but simply a more compact and concise new option. One to surely find its fanbase amongst collectors and enthusiasts.

similar but different

The overall design and shape of the case are, of course, easily identifiable as a Manero, the collection that Carl F. Bucherer uses to display multiple types of complications. The robust 40mm wide stainless steel case, with satin-finished and polished surfaces, looks and feels very good and sits comfortably on the wrist. At 14.45mm in height on the top of the domed sapphire crystal, the Manero Flyback Chronograph 40mm is quite thick, but do take into account that you need the space for an automatic chronograph movement. Classical pump-style pushers are used for the chronograph function. The pushers have a reassuring level of resistance while still feeling supple enough when activated. The knurled crown feels sturdy when setting the time and date through its two positions.

Carl F. Bucherer presents the new Manero Flyback Chronograph 40mm in five colour combinations. The most classical and formal one is the charcoal dial with gold-coloured indices and hands, with a silvery-white dial offering the same but slightly “lighter” visual impact. However, things take a colourful turn with the red, blue and green Panda-style dials. The recessed sub-dials have a circular pattern and either match the overall dial or come in any of the three colours. Each one is finished with a sunray brushing that catches light playfully. Like the 43mm version of the Manero Flyback, the dials for the 40mm range have applied wedge-shaped hour indices with wedge-shaped central hour and minute hands. Details like the tachymeter scale and the bevelled date window complete the dials.

the devil’s in the detail

If you put the 43mm and 40mm side by side, you would notice some other touches that differentiate the two. The minute track, for instance, that is nestled between each hour index is slightly different. The smaller size also lacks the thin line that runs on the inner edge of the indices, the bevelled edge of the recessed sub-dials is slightly narrower, and the date window isn’t outlined. This makes sense as this smaller canvas could easily get too busy if CFB had simply copied the design from the larger size.

New Mechanics

Where the bigger brother of the Manero Flyback Chronograph 40mm came with the calibre CFB 1970, these new models are fitted with the new calibre CFB 1973. This proprietary movement, made with La Joux-Perret, is an upgraded version of the CFB 1970 with an increased power reserve. Seen through the caseback, this automatic integrated chronograph movement comes with a column wheel (finished in blue) and with a flyback function. So pushing the reset-pusher once the chronograph is running immediately restarts it to time a second event. The movement measures 30.40mm in diameter and 7.90mm in height, has 29 jewels and runs at a frequency of 28,800vph. As mentioned, the power reserve has been increased from 42 hours to 56 hours. The movement is driven by a central rotor shaped like a partial CFB logo.

The new Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Chronograph 40mm collection comes on a textile strap made from recycled vegan materials in beige, black, blue, red or green. Each one has a reinforcing patch down the hole section, comes with quick-release spring bars and is fitted to the wrist with a pin-lock folding buckle. The watch retails for CHF 6,800 regardless of the colour; it will be available from September 1st 2022, and is part of the permanent collection.

Final thoughts

On the wrist, the new Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Chronograph 40mm looks great and feels right at home very quickly. The strap is comfortable, and the folding clasp keeps the watch secure at all times. Sizing the Manero down as CFB has done is a smart move, as the 43mm size and case construction could be daunting to some. Now, the Manero Flyback Chronograph should be on everyone’s radar who’s into this type of watch. The only thing hopefully coming down the line is a fitted stainless steel bracelet such as the one available on the 43mm Manero Flyback. That would be the proverbial cherry on top.

For more information, please visit Carl-F-Bucherer.com.