ReviewInto The Deep Blue: Favre Leuba’s Dive Series From The Raider Collection

Favre Leuba, the illustrious veterans of the Swiss watchmaking universe, etched their indelible mark in the history of timekeeping by creating one of the very first pocket watches in the distinguished era of 1718. As centuries unfolded, the watchmaker cast its spell on the Indian market, laying the cornerstone of its dominance post the tumultuous era of World War II. By the 1950s, Favre Leuba had introduced mechanical alarm wrist watches to the Indian watch market and simultaneously, the same decade also saw the emergence of its iconic trio—the intrepid Bivouac, the ingenious Bathy, and the enigmatic Deep Blue dive watch, which was water-resistant up to 200m. These timepieces vaulted Favre Leuba to the pinnacle of popularity among adrenaline-fuelled sports aficionados. In today’s era, Favre Leuba’s most coveted treasure in the Indian market is the imposing Raider Deep Blue collection. These robust timekeepers, known for their unrivalled precision and reliability, serve as trusted companions for audacious undersea explorers.

The Deep Blue Depths Of Luxury

The Raider Deep Blue gracefully merges sports dynamism with a custom-tailored aesthetic and ergonomic sophistication. Embodying sportiness with panache, this timepiece is the more adaptable sibling to the commanding Harpoon and Bivouac 9000. Despite its compact case, which is a marked departure from its more robust 46mm and 48mm counterparts, the Raider Deep Blue maintains the authoritative charisma and distinctive essence intrinsic to the collection.

The Deep Blue is extremely reliable underwater

This series of 41mm and 44mm dive watches boasts a sturdy yet elegant design with a more refined black or blue dial, laden with a multitude of features. They draw stylistic cues from the legendary Bathy 160, most notably in the detailing of the hour and minute hands.

Housed inside a 41mm steel case, the Raider Deep Blue Ref. 00.10106.08.13.20 features an enticing orange and black unidirectional rotating bezel

The steel case of the Raider Deep Blue Ref. 00.10106.08.13.20 can be customised with rubber and leather straps, or a metal bracelet

Favre Leuba Raider Deep Blue

₹2,78,000

Check Our Selling Price

Favre Leuba’s pioneering spirit surfaced with the unveiling of its inaugural dive watch in 1960 and was followed closely by the introduction of another subaquatic model in 1963, aptly named Deep Blue. The present-day incarnation of Favre Leuba’s Deep Blue radiates a compelling, retro-infused aura, with its roots firmly entrenched in the 1960s. The ‘Deep Blue’ moniker, a tribute to the historic Favre Leuba model, adds a touch of classic allure. Engineered for comfort and impact, the Raider Deep Blue stands as the epitome of sports timepieces, specifically crafted for the discerning patrons of the modern era.

Favre Leuba Raider Deep Blue

₹2,78,000

Check Our Selling Price

Deep Blue Form, Function, And Style

In a testament to its inherent DNA, the Raider Deep Blue features a bicolour unidirectional rotating bezel, rendered in blue and black, yellow and black, or orange and black. Crafted from anodised aluminium, this rotating bezel transcends mere aesthetics to serve a practical function—measuring elapsed time during immersive dive adventures.

What sets the Deep Blue apart is its distinctive presentation of seconds. Centred over the axial hub, the seconds are showcased on a rotating disc—a captivating blend of visual appeal and functional design. In addition to the avant-garde seconds disc, the Deep Blue discreetly includes a petite date window, strategically positioned at three o’clock on the dial.

The Favre Leuba Raider Deep Blue Ref. 00.10106.09.13.41 is an energetic dive watch housed inside a 41mm steel case, paired with a gorgeous black leather strap

₹2,69,000

Check Our Selling Price

The Favre Leuba Raider Deep Blue with orange and black rotating bezel can be paired with a metal bracelet or leather and rubber straps

₹2,28,000

Check Our Selling Price

The 44mm steel and black PVD case of the Raider Deep Blue Ref. 00.10102.09.13.31 renders an impactful wrist presence when paired with a rugged black rubber strap

₹2,58,000

Check Our Selling Price

01

The Raider Deep Blue’s exceptional water-resistant capabilities catapult it into the realm of the most reliable dive watches on the market. Designed for those who dare to explore the mesmerising underwater blues, the Deep Blue ensures its readiness with a significant water resistance depth of 300m. This formidable attribute is a testament to the watch’s robust construction, manifested in the tightly wound screw-in crown and securely fastened caseback.

The visage of the timepiece artfully employs an array of finishes to foster a mesmerising interplay of depth and contrast. Its matt blue or black dial carries a fine-grained texture, further enhancing the vintage appeal of the watch. Its faceted square hour markers are treated with a luminescent material, giving a bright glow to the hands in dark conditions, which becomes extremely useful when diving deep.

The Raider Deep Blue with an orange and black rotating bezel when paired with a brown leather strap makes the dive watch even more desirable

Enhance the aesthetic appeal of the Raider Deep Blue with the rich brown hue of the leather strap complete with a secure buckle clasp, guaranteeing a snug and comfortable fit

The genius of its case design melded with the seamlessly integrated rubber strap ensures a comfortable and snug embrace of the wrist. For a more personalised touch, additional strap options include a robust metal bracelet, complete with a safety folding clasp and a dive extension system, as well as luxuriously crafted leather straps. This allows the Raider Deep Blue to effortlessly adapt to diverse style preferences and comfort needs while maintaining its iconic charm.

The Deep Blue is fit for any attire on any terrain

A close-up of the dial makes the details clearer, with the interplay of geometrical elements creating a vidual marvellous medley

Each Raider Deep Blue is distinguished by its bold, expressive contours. The vintage tonneau-shaped case—available in either lustrous steel or an intriguing blend of steel and gunmetal PVD-spans gracefully from lug to lug, creating a harmonious juxtaposition of brushed and polished surfaces. A distinguishing design element in these timepieces is the intricately fashioned tetradecagon bezel, a 14-sided spectacle of engineering precision that is incredibly rare and undeniably captivating.

The Favre Leuba Raider Deep Blue Ref. 00.10102.08.13.31 is a 44mm steel and black PVD timepiece that draws its power from the automatic Sellita SW200 movement

₹2,28,000

Check Our Selling Price

The Favre Leuba Raider Deep Blue Ref. 00.10106.08.13.31 is a 41mm steel dive watch powered by the highly functional ETA 2824-2 automatic movement

₹2,28,000

Check Our Selling Price

Both the 41mm and 44mm Raider Deep Blue models with an orange and black rotating bezel can be paired with a rubber strap, featuring Favre Leuba branding on the band

₹2,28,000

Check Our Selling Price

The black rubber strap for the Raider Deep Blue, which has been equipped with a pin buckle, enhances the hardiness of the dive watch

₹2,28,000

Check Our Selling Price

01

In a symphony of colour and contrast, the models with an orange and black rotating bezel are perfectly complemented by an orange lining on the black rubber strap. Similarly, the references featuring a yellow and black rotating bezel are elegantly presented with a white lining on the black leather strap. These nuanced touches add a charming interplay of contrast that further amplifies the watches’ charismatic wrist presence.

Deep Blue Power

The Raider Deep Blue collection is animated by two automatic movements that seamlessly indicate the hours, minutes, seconds, and date. Certain models harness the energy of the Sellita SW200, a steadfast and precision-oriented mechanism revered for its reliability, while others are powered by the ETA 2824-2 movement, a stalwart in the horological world and an inspiration to many subsequent mechanisms, including the Sellita SW 200.

Both of these mechanical engines offer an impressive power reserve of 38 hours, ensuring uninterrupted timekeeping. Their incorporation underlines Favre Leuba’s commitment to delivering timepieces that not only captivate the eye with their exquisite design but also satisfy the most perceptive watch enthusiasts with their reliable and robust performance.