Simply Abu Dhabi XXXIV

1 4 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I A nother superlative watch brand based in Lucerne, where it was founded in 1888, is Carl F. Bucherer – one of the few remaining family- owned Swiss watch manufacturers. As a family-run business, it’s perhaps unsurprising, and certainly refreshing, to see admirable values still part of business operations. Sustainability and ocean conservation form part of the company’s ethos and with the launch of the Patravi ScubaTec BlackManta Limited Edition (the brand’s second timepiece dedicated to saving Manta Rays) Carl F. Bucherer is collaborating withManta Trust, a UK-based charity, in an effort to conserve the habitat of the rare manta rays. Part of the watch sales will be donated to the charity. Manta Trust is active in over 20 countries, tirelessly leading research projects and awareness campaigns on behalf of this endangered species. In tribute to this graceful resident of the depths, two manta ray silhouettes float in the centre of the black dial. The watch is robust in black DLC and with a diameter of 44.6mm, and the bronze-coloured elements – a reference to old diving tools – make for a sober contrast. Super-LumiNova adorns the indices and hands and the dive time can be easily set with the unidirectional rotating bezel in titanium and ceramic – one of the watch’s safety features, alongside the automatic helium release valve. At the heart of the watch is the CFB 1950.1 calibre automatic movement with a power reserve of 38 hours and COSC certification. The watch is presented on a textile strap that is mostly made from recycled PET bottles, again with fetching bronze-coloured contrast stitching. Priced at approximately €6,000, it’s good value that also does some good. It’s encouraging to see a globally renowned watch brand demonstrating sustainable values. Guy Stevens, CEO of Manta Trust, says: “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.”