An update on the Carl F. Bucherer cal. A1000 with peripheral automatic winding

Feb 12, 2009,06:45 AM
 

Late last year, a vigorous debate on the efficacy of a peripheral winding rotor ensued on the forum (click here to see the thread) in response to the unveiling of the cal. A1000 from Carl F. Bucherer (CFB). Yesterday evening the team from Carl F. Bucherer was in Singapore to give members of the press a preview of the watch containing the A1000 which will be launched at Baselworld.



 

A brief recap of the A1000 - it is an automatic movement with a peripheral rotor that winds bidirectionally. That means the oscillating mass circles the perimeter of the movement rather than being placed over the bridges. It is mounted on three DLC-coated rollers that are themselves mounted on spring-loaded rocking bars that cushion the rotor from lateral shocks.

The A1000 has undergone extensive testing and the no problems have been found with the winding efficiency of the peripheral rotor. An average user can easily achieve the maximum power reserve of 55 hours with day's worth of regular wear, in other words to and from the office. For less active wearers, it can take longer to wind the movement fully, but there is no question that the movement will be wound sufficiently to remain running accurately. I was assured that the winding of the A1000 is not noticeable different from that of a conventional automatic watch.

One question raised in the thread last year was the need for hard evidence from CFB on the winding efficiency of this calibre, I hope to see that from the brand soon. That being said, I do take their assurances at face value, because the folks at CFB have proven to be frank and open to discussion all this while. The wording of their press release is refreshing honest, for example they explicitly state that one of the goals for the A1000 is for it to be made on a semi-industrial scale (think several thousand calibres a year). They also say state that this movement is built as a platform, allowing for additions of complications in the future. That is refreshing honesty, especially since one is frequently confronted with claims of "new in-house" movements that look suspiciously based on other "exclusive" movements already in use.



 

The A1000 is made almost entirely by CFB Technologies (formerly Techniques Horlogères Appliquées which was founded by Vianney Halter, FP Journe and Denis Flageollet) with the major exceptions being the balance wheel which is Glucydur and the hairspring from Nivarox. One of the overarching aims of CFB with its new movements is reliability and practicality, hence the retention of tried and testing escapement parts.

I like the direction CFB is taking with its new line of in-house movements. The movement designs are unconventional while being practical and most importantly the A1000 leaves room for an amazing range of add-ons. My personal hope is to see an integrated, column wheel chronograph; it will be the only watch of its kind where the chronograph assembly is not obscured by the winding mechanism at all.

CFB aims to eventually use this movement as a base for a wide range of useful and accessible complications, no tourbillons or minute repeater. So expect to see variations of this movement with an array of complications in the years to come.

The watch itself is under embargo till March 20, in the mean time here are images of the dinner and the movement.

Many thanks to Thomas Morf, David Vallata, Dr Albrecht Haake and Gabriela von Malaise of CFB, as well as all the staff from The Hour Glass.

On a side note, David Vallata has recently been promoted to head CFB in Asia, many congratulations to David.

This message has been edited by SJX on 2009-02-12 07:17:32 This message has been edited by SJX on 2009-02-12 07:22:55 This message has been edited by SJX on 2009-02-13 21:03:54 This message has been edited by MTF on 2009-02-16 01:17:19


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Movement pictures of the A1000

 
 By: SJX : February 12th, 2009-07:21
Note these photos are of a prototype movement but the final movement will be largely similar though better finished....  

A nice modern design to the movement bridges,

 
 By: tony p : February 12th, 2009-17:26
which clearly weren't ever intended to be hand-finished. Getting a sharp edge onto all those recessed angles would be a nightmare... The overall layout reminds me a lot of the Unitas 6497/8, which is curious as that's a handwinding movement. Kudos to CFB ...  

This is so torturing, how long do we have to wait before...

 
 By: patrickau : February 12th, 2009-19:08
...we can see the watch? The only image that I've seen on the A1000 over the last one year (or more?) is the one in the movement box. The way Carl F. Bucherer is going about this is good. Not like some other watches in the past who even dared to display n...  

As for the picture...

 
 By: SJX : February 13th, 2009-21:03

Yes, it does bring to mind the Frey-era Pythagore calibre

 
 By: SJX : February 14th, 2009-02:44
But it is a wholly different philosophy from the current Montblanc Minerva which emphasises traditional construction and hand finishing in small quantities. Not better or worse, but different. - SJX

hrmph... :) (nt)

 
 By: ei8htohms : February 14th, 2009-17:26
Nt

If your hrmph was about

 
 By: MTF : February 14th, 2009-19:02
finishing (prototype caveat accepted)..... I agree. This movement has been cunningly designed to allow simple polishers to get good results in a straight line. As supplies of ETA unfinished ebauche will dry up next year, ANY new movement that ticks is a g...