A watch or a pen is often a traditional gift for an important occasion. My first notable pen, for example, was a gift for college graduation, while my first “really good” watch was a gift from my husband for our first wedding anniversary. The former was a Cross ballpoint and the latter a gold Movado, whose tiny dial now defies readability. These pieces have become heirlooms that both represent milestones in my life and commemorate the not-yet-fully-formed me.

Signature Moments: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature and Caran d’Ache pen

Signature Moments, the premier collaboration authored by Carl F. Bucherer and Caran d’Ache, is all about remembrances of things past as well as hopes for the future: moments that change the trajectory of our lives. The limited edition watch and pen set – there are only 188 available worldwide – comprises the flagship Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature timepiece and the Caran d’Ache Signature rollerball pen.

“The Signature Moments release through our Manero Flyback Signature watch and the Caran d’Ache Signature writing instrument invites people to dream,” explained Carl F. Bucherer’s CEO Sascha Moeri. “Carole Hubscher [CEO of Caran d’Ache] and I love the idea of celebrating not only the attainment of a long-held aspiration but also the earlier times in a person’s life that inspired that goal.”

Signature Moments: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature and Caran d’Ache pen

The watch: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature

The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature has a 43 mm stainless steel case (the case back is numbered) and a silver-colored dial with graphite-gray counters. The colorful hour markers allude to the vibrant pencils that form an integral part of Caran d’Ache’s writing instrument collection.

Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature on the wrist

Inside, the CFB 1970 automatic chronograph movement with a 42-hour power reserve powers the date, hour, minute, small seconds, counters, and flyback chronograph. Based on the workhorse ETA Valjoux Caliber 7750, it has a diameter of 30.4 mm, a height of 7.9 mm, and 25 jewels.

Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature on blue NATO strap

A NATO textile strap with red edging made from 100-percent recycled PET plastic with a central calfskin component secures the watch to the wrist. The timepiece comes with an additional NATO textile strap so the owner has both shades of blue and red.

The pen: Caran d’Ache Signature rollerball

The rollerball, with its rhodium- and silver-coated body and dramatic engraving, measures 12.2 mm in diameter and 135.73 mm in length. The body and cap are embellished with hand-lacquered triangles in 12 colors referencing Caran d’Ache’s colorful pencils and matching the colorful indexes on the paired watch’s dial.

Caran d’Ache Signature Moments pen with cap

The graphite gray on the cap alludes to the watch’s counters as well as Caran d’Ache’s graphite pencils.

Caran d’Ache Signature Moments pen without cap

And, finally, in another pop of color, the pen’s hinged clip is decorated with a fine line of red lacquer recalling the red-tipped central second hand and the red subsidiary minute counter hand on the watch. Each pen is engraved with its limited edition number.

What’s your Signature Moment?

The two executives of these family-owned Swiss brands shared their own signature moments during a Zoom call, bestowing a very personal quality to the project that came to fruition in late fall 2021.

Moeri said that among many signature moments in his life, his first meeting with Bucherer Group chairman Jörg G. Bucherer is a memorable one. “I didn’t know it at the time,” he said, “but it changed the trajectory of my life forever.”

Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Signature and Caran d’Ache Signature Moments pen limited edition set

Hubscher recalled an event celebrating the first 100 years of Caran d’Ache. “We had organized a fantastic exhibition called ‘The Caran d’Ache de Picasso’ in Interlaken. We had the opportunity to display original artworks Picasso had created with Caran d’Ache products. It was an exceptional moment for me because it was a perfect intersection of one of the most inspirational artistic geniuses of the past century and the history of our brand.”

For more information, please visit www.carandache.com/be/en/caran_d_ache_bucherer.

Quick Facts Caran d’Ache Signature Moments Pen
Type: rollerball
Size: 12.2 x 135.73 mm
Materials: rhodium- and silver-plated, engraved, hand-lacquered triangles in 12 colors
Cap: hand-lacquered triangles in 12 colors
Ink: black rollerball cartridge F

Quick Facts Carl F. Bucherer Signature Moments Manero Flyback
Case: 43 x 14.45 mm, stainless steel
Movement: automatic Caliber CFB 1970 (base ETA 7750 modified by La Joux-Perret), 42-hour power reserve, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date, flyback chronograph
Strap: NATO textile made of 100% recycled PET with a calfskin patch
Remark: comes with an additional strap in a different color

Limitation: 188 sets
Price for set: $6,900 / €6,400

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