Haute Watch of the Week: Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Traveltec FourX Limited Edition

The Patravi Traveltec Four X combines three qualities that make today’s timepieces competitive and leading-edge (and cool): combinations of materials, multiple mechanical functions and an openworked dial to show off the movement. The Four X Limited Edition combines 18k gold case with high-tech ceramic bezel, tough titanium push piece and rubber strap, while functions include chronograph, date window and settings for three time zones. The date window at 4 o’clock is conveniently louped – making it one of those rare things: a date window that is actually readable. The red ring surrounding the date, printed on the underside of the crystal, also helps.

The three time zones are indicated simultaneously, which is made possible by the integration of movement and case – the case contains part of the time-zone selection mechanism, and to watch it work, take a peek through the small sapphire window on the case side.

Here’s how it works. The hour hand on the central dial represents home time. To set local time, use one of the two 24-hour GMT scales on the flange. Set the red hand to the hour on the fixed, white index: this is local time. To sent a third time zone, use the button at 10 o’clock, turning it to W or E, depending on whether the third time zone is east or west of local time. This will be indicated on the red 24-hour index ring, which moves when you push the button at 10 o’clock.

Two bonus features: A patented Patravi TravelTec mechanism allows day/night indication (in order to avoid making phone calls in the middle of the night), and the caseback features a scale of time zones in world cities, to help set the third time zone.

The Traveltec Four X features an openworked dial to expose the gears of the decorated automatic movement, the CFB 1901.1. It will be produced in a limited edition of 125 pieces.

Photos courtesy Carl F. Bucherer.