Carl F. Bucherer Caliber A1000 Peripheral Winding Update

SJX provides an update on the Carl F. Bucherer Caliber A1000, focusing on its peripheral automatic winding system following an earlier forum debate. This report offers crucial insights into the movement's design, winding efficiency, and Carl F. Bucherer's strategic vision for its in-house calibers, making it a valuable resource for understanding this innovative technology.

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.