Back in 2017, Favre-Leuba celebrated their 280th anniversary and reflected on some of the incredible innovations the brand had achieved since they were founded in 1737. As the second oldest Swiss Watchmaking company, their history is comprised of groundbreaking milestones in industries such as mountaineering, diving and the very essence of watchmaking expertise. Favre-Leuba not only have a reputation for crafting luxury timepieces with high functionality, but the brand also has a unique mindset when creating new concepts, appealing to those with an attitude that doesn’t accept boundaries. Here is a guide to Favre-Leuba watches.
Diving Collection
Favre-Leuba is a brand with significant achievement, especially within the diving sector. Not only have they created timepieces for comfortable underwater reading, but they have also helped divers around the world to support their vision. One of the most recent from 2016.
An Account from 2016 with Japanese Diver, Sayuri Kinoshita
In a picture-perfect setting, above the gentle waves in the Bahamas, Sayuri Kinoshita fills her lungs with oxygen before plunging into the ocean. She dives in free, with no fins and no aids and descends deeper into the water with nothing but her strength and a rope to guide her. Her watch glowed in the dark so she knew how long she had been diving for. After reaching her goal depth she turns and proceeds to the surface. She had just set the world record for being the first woman to dive a depth of 72 metres with no fins, wearing the Radiar Deep Blue.
Favre-Leuba has a vast Diving Collection which is comprised of these sub-collections:
- Bathy 120 Memodepth
- Harpoon 46
- Harpoon 42
- Deep Blue 44
- Deep Blue 41
Deep Blue 44 and Deep Blue 41
Raider Deep Blue 44 | Stainless Steel Bracelet and
Raider Deep Blue 41 | Black Rubber Strap
‘Dive into unknown worlds. Into undiscovered depths. Feel the adrenaline. Feel alive. Do it with all the security of a reliable companion. I’m precise, I am perfectly readable in any situation, and I am flawless and easy to use. Together, we’ll know no limits.’
These models combine diving functionality with a luxury flair. The overall design of these watches is bold and affluent with the tones of the deep sea. They come with an automatic movement with a power reserve of up to 38 hours. The case is made from high-quality stainless steel with a Gunmetal PVD Coating and fitted with a unidirectional rotating bezel. Favre-Leuba’s diving range was crafted for comfortable reading underwater and boasts strong and powerful blue emission luminous indicators. The dial is protected by sapphire crystal made from synthetically manufactured sapphires, therefore, extremely scratch-resistant. The design of this model is retro-futuristic with a vintage appeal, characterised by the pillowcase shape.
Here is a look at the Raider Deep Blue:
Mountaineering Collection
The mountaineering collection may be the smallest collection, with only two models, but the reputation of this collection speaks the loudest. This collection was crafted for the bold and daring. The history of this collection has a notable highlight from 1964.
An Account from 1964 with two Mountaineers, Michel Vaucher and Walter Bonatti
Two mountaineers were in the middle of climbing the Pointe Whymper, one of the peaks in the alps. Stones are plunging down, endangering the two mountaineers and the temperature is freezing cold. The decision on whether to carry on the ascent or make camp and wait out the clouds that were forming was a matter of survival. Thanks to The Bivouac watch and its integrated barometer, their wristwatch showed them not only the current altitude but also any impending weather changes. It was due to this important information that the two mountaineers decided to make camp. Two days later they reach the 4,184 metre peak. safe and well.
The Bivouac 9000
‘I surpass even the highest mountain peak on land. No climb is too steep for me, no challenge too great. I can measure the altitudes of up to 9000 metres- mechanically. Nobody else is capable of doing that. Together, you and I are unstoppable.’
This watch was the winner of the Watchstars New Star award in 2018. It is known to be the first and only mechanical watch that can measure up to 9000 metres., higher than Mount Everest. It comes with aneroid barometre technology to reliably indicate the air pressure and altitude. For optimal timekeeping in adverse weather conditions, it comes with Super-LumiNova on the hands and index markers on the dial. It is also protected by anti-reflective sapphire crystal made from manufactured sapphires for ultimate scratch resistance.
The style of this watch is characterised by a retro-futuristic design. The grey tones of the watches within the collection were a design choice inspired by the Mountains. The case is made from high-quality titanium which was chosen for its lightweight design and optimal wearer comfort.
Chronograph Collection
The Chronograph collection made an impact on the watch industry with its impressive and unique aesthetic in the mid-1950s and models were later added to the collection in the 1970s.
The collection is refined into two sub-collections:
- Sea Sky
- Sky Chief Chronograph.
Sea Sky
Raider Sea Sky | Stainless Steel Bracelet and
Raider Sea Sky | Black Leather Strap
‘Water and Earth. Depth and height. Cold and heat. South and north. I’m at home wherever we go. I combine the functionality of a chronograph with the practical benefits of a rotating bezel, because you expect more from your watch. Everywhere and all the time.’
The retro-futurist design that defines the style of Favre- Leuba carries over into the Chronograph Collection which is characterised by the pillowcase shape. The dial is made from high-quality stainless steel with a Gunmetal PVD coating and the dial is protected by sapphire crystal glass made from synthetically manufactured sapphires for ultimate scratch resistance. The high contrast chronometer hands and unidirectional bezel have been crafted for clear cut timekeeping.
The Raider Sea Sky comes with an automatic movement with a power reserve of 48 hours. The display of time is conventional with additional functionalities such as 30-minute and 12-hour counters, a small seconds indicator, date display and a chronograph hand.
Sky Chief Chronograph
Sky Chief Chronograph | Stainless Steel Bracelet
‘ My Style: restrained, but expressive. I’m self-confident and full of character. I’m the quiet type, but the sounds I do make are unmistakable. You’ll recognise me immediately from the balanced symmetry of my displays. You can count on me always. It’s your entrance.’
The key feature of all Favre-Leuba watches and collections is their retro-futuristic design which, in this model, is characterised by the evergreen style round case, crafted for those that seek a contemporary timepiece with a vintage charm. The overall design of the watch is minimalistic, apt for casual everyday business dressing. The dial is protected with high-quality sapphire crystal which has been made from synthetically produced sapphires for optimal scratch resistance. Both the hands and index marks come with Super-LumiNova luminous pigment which is charged by sunlight or artificial light.
It comes with automatic movement and a power reserve of up to 48 hours. The watch shows a conventional display of time with additional functions such as 20 minute, small seconds indicator, date display and chronograph hand. it is also 100m water-resistant.
Here is a closer look at the Sky Chief Chronograph:
Urban Collection
The Urban Collection was designed for contemporary wear and stands out among the other collections for its alternative design.
As with the Diving Collection, the Urban Collection has a vast array of models which have been organised into sub-collections:
- Sea King
- Sea Bird Automatic
- Sea Bird Quartz
- Sky Chief Date 43
- Sky Chief Date 40
Sea King
Raider Sea King | Stainless Steel Bracelet and
Raider Sea King | Grey Antelope Leather Strap
‘Created from legends and designed for the future, where function is form and style is timeless. I am, discreetly, the king of my time, joining the journey you’ve chosen to take.’
This series took inspiration from the Raider series and was built with the same DNA but with a different bezel. The hands and index design provide practical readability. The overall design of the watch is contemporary with a Luxesport twist. The dial is protected by sapphire crystal which has been created with synthetically manufactured sapphires. for optimal scratch resistance. The case is made from high polished stainless steel which compliments the overall contemporary style.
This watch comes with an automatic movement and a power reserve of up to 38 hours. The functions of this watch include hours, minutes, seconds and date display.
Sky Chief Date 43
Sky Chief Date | Stainless Steel Bracelet
‘I am minimalistic. Yet Magnetic. I dominate the game with unmistakable and timeless aesthetics. With different layers and facets. I am a statement on your wrist. I am the Sky Chief Date by Favre-Leuba’
The Sky Chief Date boasts a minimalistic, yet retro-futuristic design, in keeping with the design of Favre-Leuba’s other collections. The design is aimed at those looking for an accessory for everyday casual business dress and the evergreen style of round case hints a contemporary twist. Perfect for those that like an accessory with a vintage charm. The watch has an overall sporty persona which is perfect for both the bold and stylish.
The watch comes with automatic movement and a power reserve of up to 38 hours. It also has a date window at the 6 o’clock position on the dial. The case is made from high-quality stainless steel and the dial is protected by sapphire crystal which has been crafted from synthetically manufactured sapphire. Perfect for those striving for optimal scratch resistance.
Here is a closer look at the Sky Chief Date:
All Favre-Leuba watches come with a 5-year warranty.
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