he fight for the preservation of the environment is a battle that goes far beyond the watch industry. Climate change has, as we have seen this year, propelled thousands of people into the streets, worried for their future in light of the increasing pressure put on the planet. Giants in the food, fashion and car industries all try to promote a “greener” face, as consumers press for change.

While many watch brands are also tackling this issue, some have been more committed than others to this agenda. Carl F. Bucherer is definitely one of them. More than seven years ago, the brand started supporting the UK-based charitable foundation Manta Trust, which has dedicated itself to the cause of rare manta rays since 2011. Today, it is active in over 20 countries, with the goal of preserving the maritime ecosystem and the rays’ habitat on a long-term, sustainable basis.

The watch itself shows how recycling can be used in the industry, while drawing attention to an endangered species that is suffering from this very waste.

And actually two years ago we partnered with Carl F. Bucherer to create what was really the first “ecoconscious” front cover of Europa Star with manta rays swimming around the Patravi ScubaTec Manta Trust Limited Edition. The 188 watches produced then all featured a different manta ray engraving on the back, transforming each of them into a unique piece. It was also a good opportunity to interview Guy Stevens, the CEO of the Manta Trust, to learn more about concrete steps the charity is taking to preserve the well-known but fragile manta rays and their natural habitats around the world.

THE PATRAVI SCUBATEC BLACK MANTA SPECIAL EDITION

Two years later, the issue of environmental preservation is even more acute. And Carl F. Bucherer is going even further in its commitment this year, as time is ticking for the future of the oceans. With the new COSC-certified Patravi ScubaTec Black Manta Special Edition, the brand reflects its long-standing partnership with the Manta Trust, with a focus on a particularly rare species: the black manta ray. But this time, it’s not only about financial support: the timepiece itself is made of sustainable and recycled materials: this diver’s watch is not just dedicated to the oceans, it also embodies some of the ways they can be protected.

PATRAVI SCUBATEC BLACK MANTA SPECIAL EDITION

REFERENCE NUMBERS: 00.10632.28.33.99
MOVEMENT: Automatic, CFB 1950.1 caliber, chronometer (COSC), diameter 26.2 mm, height 4.6 mm, 25 jewels, power reserve 38h
FUNCTIONS: Date, hour, minute, seconds
CASE: DLC-coated titanium, titanium/ceramic bezel, automatic helium release valve, screwdown crown, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, water-resistant to 500 m (50 bar), diameter 44.6 mm, height 13.45 mm
DIAL: Black dial with manta ray silhouette
STRAP: Rubber strap with recycled PET, diving folding clasp in DLC-coated titanium

The fabric used in the distinctive natural rubber strap of the Patravi ScubaTec Black Manta Special Edition, sewn with bronze-coloured contrast stitching, is composed entirely of recycled bottles recovered from the Mediterranean. Around 30 plastic bottles are needed to create one metre of the yarn used for the textile components in each strap. The fabrics are manufactured in Italy, which guarantees short transport distances.

Several million metric tons of plastic waste end up in the oceans every year – an enormous threat to our ecosystem and obviously to the habitat of the manta rays too. In a clever and coherent approach to environmental protection, Carl F. Bucherer “unites” several causes: the watch itself shows how recycling can be used in the industry, while part of the revenue goes to protecting an endangered species that is suffering from this very waste.

Guy Stevens explains it best: “Thanks to the kind support of Carl F. Bucherer, this year the Manta Trust will be able to launch an exciting explorative research project to gain new insight into the movement patterns and behaviour of manta rays in the Yucatán Peninsula. Increasing our understanding of this little-studied species will enable us to introduce more effective regional protection.”

ABOUT THE MANTA TRUST

This charitable foundation has dedicated itself to the cause of rare manta rays since 2011. The Manta Trust is active in over 20 countries, tirelessly leading projects and awareness campaigns on behalf of this endangered species. Its goal is to conserve the maritime ecosystem and the rays’ habitat on a long-term, sustainable basis. The Manta Trust works to achieve this with an international team of researchers, scientists, conservationists, and education and media experts in the fields of research, teaching, and cooperation. Carl F. Bucherer has already contributed in a number of ways over the years – for instance by sponsoring satellite tags to track the movements of manta rays and funding an educational film. Together, the partners hope to make a lasting contribution to the conservation of this fascinating species.

COSC-CERTIFIED, DLC-COATED AND READY FOR ACTION

Following its launch at this year’s Baselworld, the Patravi ScubaTec Black Manta Special Edition has been available around the world since September 2019. Unlike the model introduced two years ago, this edition is unlimited.

The timepiece combines an elegant sporty aesthetic with robustness, useful functions, and a water resistance of up to 50 bar (500 m). Its 44.6 mm titanium case – new in the Carl F. Bucherer collection – boasts a DLC coating whose black hue contrasts with the case’s bronze-coloured elements, as a tribute to historic diving helmets. Super-LumiNova adorns the indices and hands, which frame the silhouettes of two manta rays on the black dial.

The unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel enables the wearer to set the dive time – one of the watch’s safety features, alongside the automatic helium release valve. The DLC-coated titanium case back features a detailed engraving of a black manta ray. The timepiece is powered by a CFB 1950.1 automatic movement with a power reserve of 38 hours. Its high level of precision has earned it official chronometer certification from the independent Swiss Chronometer Institute (COSC). Each watch is accompanied by an individual COSC certificate.

CARL F. BUCHERER’S BOLD APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY

The Patravi ScubaTec Black Manta Special Edition is not just a symbol of sustainability; it also makes an active contribution to the conservation of the oceans and the responsible use of our resources. It is showing the industry new ways to embrace this important topic.

As a company, Carl F. Bucherer has indeed also comprehensively embraced sustainable working practices over the years. We can testify to it, having been a partner of the brand for many years now. It also demonstrates the important point that the best companies take a long-term approach to business. The most successful watch brands are rewarded for their continuity and reliability in the way they treat their long-term partners (and we’ve been around for more than 90 years). That has never been clearer than it is today. A sustainable spirit encompasses many aspects: financial, social, environmental and, ultimately, human.

The new timepiece introduced by Carl F. Bucherer equally goes to show that good (and bold) design in timekeeping goes hand in hand with sustainable processes, at a time when many brands are asking themselves how to incorporate new ways of crafting watches. We end with a revealing anecdote on this point: the Patravi ScubaTec Black Manta Special Edition also served as design inspiration for the watch we spotted on Sylvester Stallone’s wrist in “Rambo - Last Blood”. The most iconic heroes also move with the times!

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