Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec Dive Watch Hands-On
High-end reeftiger mens grand reef watches brand Carl F. Bucherer is of course part of the larger Bucherer family that includes the major Swiss watch retailer. Like many modern brands trying to appeal to a diverse set of potential customers, they might come out with a new classic tourbillon and diver in the same year. In fact that is exactly what they have done. We recently reported on Carl F. Bucherer's first tourbillon with a hands-on look at the new Manero Tourbillon here. Now for a diver with the Patravi ScubaTec.
The details of the Patravi ScubaTec will show you that it isn't trying to be the next best thing in dive watch technology nor an attempt to include some new complication in a dive watch that no one has needed until now, and still won't need tomorrow. The way we see the Patravi ScubaTec is a sort of high-end interpretation of the highly popular indy diver watch. That means Carl F. Bucherer seems to be taking a lot of what people like and are adding their own spin on it in creating a beefy, modern looking reeftiger mens classic watches that has legit diving potential and is something you can easily beat up a bit.
At 44.6mm wide with strong lugs, this is a large watch, though at just 13.45mm thick it isn't terribly tall for a diver. The steel case is classic in its composure but designed with a lot of straight lines and angles that point to a more contemporary creation. This is not just another retro diver. That is getting to be a crowded market. It is really about having luxury reeftiger mens heritage watches detailing on what is essentially a fun sport watch. I do feel as though the debut version is a bit limited style-wise as they could have come out with more color options, but if you love blue and black you'll love the ScubaTec.
Speaking of the name, "ScubaTec" is clearly an extension of TravelTec, which is another (more complicated) piece in the Patravi collection. The ScubaTec is more simple of course, but that is sort of the point. In fact, the entire idea of a dive watch is to be durable, easy to read, and dependable. The Patravi ScubaTec is all of this, but so are a lot of other patek philippe grand complications replica watches that are a lot less expensive. Aside from some of the complex design elements such as the case and parts of the dial, pretty much all the functional elements of a watch like this are available on a 1,000 watch. So while this is a handsome diver, it sort of feels as though Carl F. Bucherer should have upped the ante a bit. That perhaps could have been in the form of a unique feature such as including their in-house A1000 automatic movement.
Inside the watch is a caliber CFB 1950.10 automatic movement. I believe that this is a base Swiss ETA 2892, and for this watch it has been COSC Chronometer certified. The Patravi ScubaTec is water resistant to 500 meters with a helium release valve and thick sapphire crystal. On the rear of the watch are engraved manta rays. Why? Because manta rays look cool on pretty much any dive watch right?
Where the Patravi ScubaTec excels is the dial. Boy, is this guy legible. I love the large hands and hour markers they are liberally bathed in SuperLumiNova. Though, I am not sure the hour hand needed to be skeletonized. The dial has what appears to be a fish scale pattern on it, which is interesting. More boldness is on the rotating diver's bezel. I like the large-sized lume pip and numerals that look a bit too large for the space. The strip of blue is nice enough, and the color is echoed on a ring in the crown.
Available on a custom rubber strap or bracelet, both options are nice depending on what you are looking for. Actually writing "ScubaTec" on the rubber strap will no doubt be a polarizing design decision. This is on the final version. Note that the models you see here are all pre-production prototypes. Many people complain about the intense branding on Breitling watch straps (for example), so I expect that here. For me the top choice is the bracelet though.
The bracelet is quite cool. It has a designer, yet masculine aspect to it. At the least, it doesn't look like everyone else's steel metal bracelet. All in all, there is a lot to like about Carl F. Bucherer's Patravi ScubaTec, even though it doesn't bring a lot new to the table. It does however have the shiny polish and high-end feel from a major watch brand, and is going to be as enjoyable to wear as your standard well-done indy dive watch. I wouldn't turn one down. Price is 6,400 on a strap and 6,800 on the bracelet.