Carl F. Bucherer Two-Tone ScubaTec Review

Like most of us, I’m always excited to get my hands on a new piece to review on PuristSPro. When I do, the question that inevitably surfaces is, “would you buy one?”

 

Some of you may remember that last year, I had the opportunity to review a friend’s latest acquisition, a Carl F. Bucherer ScubaTec in gold and stainless.

Original article: Carl F. Bucherer ScubaTec: Review by an innocent bystander

One of the parting comments from my review was that, “ There is absolutely no doubt that a ScubaTec is in my future.”

Well, that future is now, but with a surprising twist.

Having owned a stainless TravelTec for several years, I was certainly familiar with the brand and more importantly, the quality of their products.

As an avid scuba diver, all that was missing from Carl F. Bucherer was a dive watch in their lineup. When along came the ScubaTec, it was an easy choice and an instant decision for someone already sold on the brand.

Thoroughly impressed with my friend’s blue two-tone version, only one small detail was nagging me. All of my dive gear is black and red…so I had to ask.    

Reaching out to the brand, I questioned if there were any plans to release a red two-tone ScubaTec since they already make a stainless version in red. It seemed a modest request. After all, who’s not a sucker for a pretty red head?

As it turns out, my timing was impeccable! Though they had no plans to release a two-tone in red, they did decide to make a run of five. Yes, five.

 

Long story short, a box soon arrived with my latest purchase.

Perhaps it seems silly to color coordinate a watch with my dive gear, or maybe that’s just a feeble justification for another unique watch. Either way, it works me. This watch is absolutely amazing!

Let’s face it, in an age of hi-tech dive computers, most divers will admit that a watch, even a dive watch, is all but obsolete. Of course the same argument could be made for any mechanical watch in an era of iPhones and smart watches. I however, am an old school holdout and refuse to put all my faith in a computer. So, while I do wear a dive computer, I still wear a watch on every dive.

If you’re a diver, few things convey your passion as well as a nice dive watch. Without a doubt, the ScubaTec in red, gold and steel, makes a statement loud and clear!

Building only about 30,000 pieces per year and spread across numerous models, it was a bold move for Carl F. Bucherer to enter the well-saturated market of divers. But since its launch about three years ago, the ScubaTec was an immediate success and is currently one of the brand’s top sellers.

As much as I like the ScubaTec in blue, there is something particularly alluring to me about the compliment of materials in the red version.

The textured dial, hands and markers give the ScubaTec a unique signature. I’m not sure if the patterned dial is to represent the wings of a manta or rolling waves.

Regardless, the slightest twist of the wrist releases an animation of light rippling across the dial revealing a different personality with every glance. You’ll never get bored staring at this watch.

The markers are bold and sexy. Their triangular shape slopes towards the center of the dial unlike a simple, consistent bevel. To me, this gives the dial a lot of personality and demonstrates the brand’s attention to detail.

On the practical side, the emboldened hands and markers ensure the ScubaTec is easy to read, even in murky water or low-light situations. And since effective luminescence is crucial to any credible dive watch, the brand ensured ample amounts of lume that cast a strong but pleasant blue glow.

A strapping beast

While the ScubaTec is available with a bracelet or rubber strap, I opted for the strap.

Don’t get me wrong, Carl F. Bucherer is a master of bracelets. I often comment that the bracelet on my TravelTec is the most solid, comfortable and best-designed bracelet I’ve ever encountered. I stand by my statement.

As impressed as I am with ruggedness of Carl F. Bucherer bracelets, I will say that the deployant on the ScubaTec means serious business. It’s a tank.

I can’t help but wonder if the engineer who designed this clasp experienced some traumatic life event that influenced this design. It’s beyond secure; it’s defiant. It’s a clasp that is so bold as to challenge you to compromise its integrity.

That said, the strap/clasp combo is remarkably comfortable and easy to operate. The components of this locking mechanism glide effortlessly into position and provide a solid, resounding “click,” feedback that can be heard and felt once the latch is secure.

The rugged components of the clasp are clearly CNC machined and not stamped (gasp!) and have a lightly brushed finish.

 

If I could suggest one improvement for this watch, it would be to add raised ribs or rails along the center of the clasp to help prevent scuffing of the brushed surfaces or the laser-etched logo.

The deployant has a micro-adjustment that is secure and easy to use and is perfect for addressing temperature/seasonal changes that affect wrist size. Best of all, it can be extended fully, then, once the deployant is closed on the wrist, a gentle push of the strap will slide the strap through the micro-adjustment, clicking its way to a perfect fit. Every time. Brilliant.

As would be expected of a dive watch, the other side of the clasp conceals an additional link that can be extended for wear over a wetsuit.

If I seem overly enthusiastic about this deployant…well, yeah, it’s amazing. Rugged and secure, it does its job and looks cool along the way.

Still, the ruggedness of the ScubaTec extends well beyond the deployant. Every twist and turn of the case presents a somewhat industrial construction with details exquisitely refined. These details are further accentuated by the contrast between stainless and gold.

The case itself has practical brushed surfaces offset by polished, beveled edges. The polished crown guards really pop against the brushed sides of the case.

I suspect that Carl F. Bucherer could have cut some corners by having the crown guards machined into the case, but machining them as separate components adds infinitely more character.

What escapes me

I’ve never quite bought into the virtues of a helium escape valve on a dive watch. They serve absolutely zero purpose for recreational divers. Still, like the coveted tourbillon, a helium escape valve serves as an expression of the technical capabilities of the manufacture. Also, in my opinion, a Helium Escape Valve demonstrates a brand’s commitment to developing a purpose specific dive watch.

 

Back to reality, the ScubaTec is certified to 500 meters or 1,640 feet. That’s more than 13 times the maximum depth limit for recreational divers. Suffice it to say, the ScubaTec’s water resistance is far beyond any human capability.

In case you’re curious

 

The ScubaTec is powered by a COSC certified ETA 2824-2. It’s certainly a solid performer with a credible track record. With the rise of Carl F. Bucherer’s new Calibre A2000, however, hopefully we’ll eventually see the line adopt an in-house movement.

The Carl F. Bucherer ScubaTec strikes a very wonderful balance between a serious tool watch and a luxury timepiece. It’s certainly formidable in its quality and construction, yet meticulously refined in every detail.

As for the gold? I can’t explain it. As I mentioned in my previous article, gold on a dive watch makes absolutely no sense to me. One look at the ScubaTec in gold and stainless, however, throws all caution to the wind. It is simply stunning. It’s like eye-candy covered indulgence, wrapped in bliss with…with a cherry on top.

Best of all, any cautious shopper comparing different brands and models may come to my glaring conclusion. Even in two-tone, the ScubaTec can be had for what many pay for the usual suspects in stainless alone.

Though not “officially” a Limited Edition, there are currently no plans to do more of the red/gold combination. Fingers crossed, if more are produced, I can only hope for minor changes that will ensure the uniqueness of the original five.

 

Making a case for the Mantas

Another unique twist to the ScubaTec’s story, is that the folks at Carl F. Bucherer back it up with more than just a couple of beautifully sculpted manta imprints. The brand is a supporter of Manta Trust, a non-profit organization that takes a multidisciplinary approach to conservation of manta rays and their habitat through science and research.

According to Manta Trust, “Carl F. Bucherer generously sponsored satellite tags to track the movement patterns of Oceanic Manta Rays in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean – an endeavor that would not be possible without their support.”

(Photos Courtesy of Manta Trust)

 

Named “ScubaTec” and “TravelTec,” the two majestic creatures on the case back depict the two mantas sponsored by the brand.

Though I’ve reviewed quite a few watches over the years, this is one of the rare few that moved me to purchase one for myself. Looking back at last year’s review of the ScubaTec, I guess you could say I put my money where my mouth is. Perhaps the craziest thing of all is that I’m now considering adding a blue stainless ScubaTec to my collection at some point in the future.