The Swiss-based maker of elite watches has recently announced a more affordable Adamavi line of dressy timekeepers that are powered by inexpensive automatic and even quartz calibers but presented in precious rose gold cases. Among them, is the new Carl F. Bucherer Adamavi (Ref. 00.10307.03.16.01).
To be frank, I am not sure about the reason behind such a bold move. Perhaps, the Swiss watchmaker simply tries to secure its position by drawing the attention of younger people with a higher-than-average income that looks for a respectable dressy watch in a gold case, but are not yet ready to pay a premium price for an in-house, or a heavily modified third-party movement.
It also seems that guys at CFB are not afraid to erode the value of their brand, which is known for its unique mechanical movements.
The new Adamavi line, as I have already noted, consists of models powered by automatic and quartz movements. It also includes almost a dozen variations: both men’s and ladies’ watches offered in understated, yet elegant cases respectively 36 mm and 26 mm in diameter.
The choice of styles includes versions on leather straps and on rose gold bracelets, as well as models with their bezels set with high-grade diamonds.
For me, of course, the most interesting is the new Adamavi 00.10307.03.16.01, which is offered in a modest 36 mm body, which is not only compact but -at only 7.2 millimeters in height- is also thin.
Powered by a standard ETA caliber 2892-A2 self-winding movement, the watch is not particularly advanced.
However, if you are looking for a simple dress watch that won’t make you sell your kidney to get one and are not interested in balance wheels, mainsprings, oscillating weights, and gear trains, then this timekeeper may well become a watch of your choice.
Indeed, the use of a standard movement makes it easier to service the watch in any city of the world and the layout of the dial, as well as the classic shape of the rose gold body, allows you to wear the watch with any formal dress on any special occasion, be it wedding, anniversary, graduation ceremony or some other, not so pleasant, event.
As you can see, the new Carl F. Bucherer Adamavi Automatic sports a subdued silver dial with a set of applied Arabic numerals and baton-shaped hour markers that are contrast enough to make the watch absolutely legible when the lighting conditions are adequate.
The date aperture, which is neatly placed between 4 and 5 o’clock, is also large enough for the numerals to be easily readable.
My only complaint here is the use of the hour and minute hands: they are too thin compared to the hour markers and the numerals. To my taste, a pair of leaf-shaped pointers would be just fine to make this model a living (and affordable classic.)
See also: Carl F. Bucherer Patravi EvoTec BigDate in Rose Gold
Photos: Carl F. Bucherer
Carl F. Bucherer Adamavi in Rose Gold 00.10307.03.16.01 specification
Price: $8100 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, ETA caliber 2892-A2, 21 jewels, 28,800 vph, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, date
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: 18-karat rose gold
Shape: Round
Size: 36.00 mm
Case height: 7.20 mm
Dial: Silver
Numerals: Arabic, rose gold, applied
Hour markers: Baton-shaped, rose gold
Hands: Baton-shaped, rose gold
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Black alligator strap with 18-karat rose gold pin buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire