Carl F. Bucherer’s Vibrant Green Patravi ScubaTec Verde: Supporting the Manta Trust’s Pioneering Work in Ecuador in 2023
The well-being of our oceans and the biodiversity within their ecosystems is paramount for the overall health of our planet. This is why Carl F. Bucherer has been a steadfast supporter of the Manta Trust since 2013. In 2023, the introduction of the Patravi ScubaTec Verde exemplifies CFB’s commitment as the Manta Trust embarks on its latest research expedition in Ecuador, home to the largest-known population of oceanic manta rays.
Manta and devil rays face the threat of overfishing, but with CFB’s support, the Manta Trust is unraveling the mysteries of these enigmatic, charismatic, and highly intelligent creatures, known to possess the largest brains among all fish species. Their efforts extend to collaborating with island communities in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, fostering local conservation initiatives, and combating overfishing to safeguard the precious habitats of manta rays.
Over the past decade, CFB has generously backed the organization’s endeavors, providing funding for ecological studies, research expeditions, and marine education programs. Furthermore, for several years, the Swiss watchmaker has crafted special diving watches in honor of the Manta Trust, pledging a portion of each timepiece’s retail value directly to the charity.
Engineered for Active Aquatic Lifestyles
The latest release for this year, the Patravi ScubaTec Verde, lives up to its name, showcasing a captivating green hue throughout, from its lacquered dial adorned with intricate wave design detailing to its matching bezel and rubber strap featuring a textile inlay crafted from recycled PET. The vivid green color is an ode to the vibrant waters surrounding Isla de La Plata, a small island located approximately 40 kilometers off the Ecuadorian coast. This island annually hosts over 22,000 oceanic manta rays, who congregate there in August and September—a population that dwarfs any other subpopulation of this species on Earth by a factor of ten. In August 2023, CFB will fully sponsor a team of researchers from the Manta Trust and Proyecto Mantas Ecuador to conduct a two-week study of this remarkable group.
The Patravi ScubaTec Verde is meticulously designed for such aquatic endeavors. Water-resistant to a staggering 50 bar—the deepest specification offered by CFB in its diving watches—it features water-resistant gaskets, a screw-down crown, and an automatic helium valve to facilitate the automatic release of gas during dives and ascents, preventing damage to the case. The thick sapphire crystal boasts anti-reflective coating on both sides, and Super-LumiNova® fills the hands and index markers, ensuring legibility even in the darkest depths. The unidirectional rotating bezel also includes a Super-LumiNova point for optimal orientation. A folding clasp with fine adjustment and diving extension adds another essential element for underwater practicality.
Tracking Ray Movements Through Tagging
Oceanic manta rays are the largest members of the manta ray species, boasting wingspans that can reach up to 20 feet (over 6 meters). They are classified as Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List. During their expedition in Ecuador, the research team will dive alongside manta rays to measure their size, capture photographs for individual identification, and attach tags to track their movements after leaving the area. This work will enable the trust to monitor the overall health of this population, uncover what attracts these majestic creatures to this specific location, and gain deeper insights into the human impact on rays and their surroundings. By engaging with the local community and emphasizing the importance of this species in maintaining a thriving ocean ecosystem, the team also hopes to garner support for the conservation of this remarkable population of endangered oceanic manta rays.
A Timepiece for Water Enthusiasts
In addition to accompanying divers beneath the surface, the Patravi ScubaTec Verde serves as the perfect companion for watersports enthusiasts and individuals who lead active lives in the great outdoors. Moreover, by owning a Patravi ScubaTec Verde, wearers unmistakably convey their commitment to making a positive impact on our planet, as each purchase contributes to CFB’s support for the Manta Trust.
