CFB A1000 is the first series-produced peripheral rotor automatic watch movement, introduced in 2008 by Carl F. Bucherer.

Cal. CFB A1000 was important in many ways for Carl F. Bucherer. When it was introduced at Baselworld 2008 after three years of development, the young brand took the step of becoming a manufacture. The company had recently acquired movement specialist Téchniques Horlogères Appliquées, and this gave them design and manufacturing capability to produce this groundbreaking movement.

Cal. CFB A1000 was also technically important Although patented in 1955 (by Paul Gostel) and produced in limited numbers from 1970 to 1985 by Patek Philippe (Cal. 350), a true peripheral rotor automatic movement had never been produced in large scale. Citizen came the closest in the 1960s with the Citizen Jet, but this was more of a geared central rotor and did not run around the periphery of the movement. Carl F. Bucherer developed many new technologies to bring the peripheral rotor to production, using DLC glides with ball bearings mounted on spring-retained rockers. The transfer wheel between the rotor and winding assembly has two Incabloc shock absorbers to prevent the staff from breaking with vigorous movement.

Another technical advancement is the “Central Dual Adjusting System” (CDAS), which locks the index and balance spring carrier in place. It requires a specially-designed key to adjust the timing of the balance.

This unique design allows the entire movement to be viewed through a display caseback and allows the company to install modules on both sides if needed. One challenge of a peripheral rotor system is the location of the stem and crown Patek Philippe mounted these to the back of the movement, while the Carl F. Bucherer movement was thicker, allowing a traditional side position.

The first watch to be produced with Cal. CFB A1000, the Carl F. Bucherer Patravi EvoTec, was released for sale in 2009. By this time other manufacturers were working on similar technology. De Witt would introduce Cal. DW 8014 in 2010, Audemars Piguet would follow with Cal. 2897 in 2011, and Cartier with Cal. 9603 MC in 2012. Cal. CFB A1000 received the “Golden Balance/Special Technology Prize” of the German Uhrenmagazin in 2009.

The replacement, Cal. CFB A2050, was introduced in 2016. It was more affordable, with a traditional free-sprung balance and plainer finishing.

The similar Cal. CFB A1001 adds a big date module to Cal. CFB A1000.

The similar Cal. CFB A1002 adds a power reserve indicator to Cal. CFB A1000 and was introduced at Baselworld in 2010.

• Carl F. Bucherer CFB A1000 Kaliber Video, 4 43 (engl.)