Favre-Leuba Raider Deep Blue – Hands-on with Live Photos, Specs and Price

Recently we reported on the revival of the Favre-Leuba brand, led by the launch of the bold Raider Harpoon and Raider Bivouac 9000. Inspired by brand’s past glories, these tools watches are two beasts designed for the most extreme adventures, either deep underwater or at the highest altitudes. If you are not ready for these massive 46 and 48mm timepieces, the Raider Deep Blue provides a toned-down alternative, whilst still retaining the collection’s strong and distinctive character.

The Favre-Leuba Raider Deep Blue is a cool, distinctive, retro-themed dive watch. Although the 1960s/1970s inspiration is evident, it has been modernized into a contemporary timepiece. The Deep Blue name itself comes from a historic Favre-Leuba model.

Historic Favre-Leuba dive watches from the 1960s: the Bathy160 with depth gauge and the dual crown Deep Blue that is water resistant to 200m. Among the design cues that were used for the modern Favre-Leuba collections, are the case, the hands and the hour markers.

With clean, dynamic lines, the 44mm tonneau (barrel in English) shape case features a bi-color unidirectional bezel to keep track of dive times. Made of anodized aluminum, it is rendered in orange/black or blue/black. The face of the watch has various finishes to create a sense of depth and contrast. The matte black dial is finely grained, which add even more ‘vintage’ touch to the watch. The hour markers are faceted squares, and these are filled with luminescent material, and so are the hands. The hour and minute hands are obviously inspired by those of the Bathy 160, however the seconds are marked by a short and original central rotating disc / pointer.

The Raider Deep Blue has a water resistance rating of 30 ATM / 300 m thanks to its screw-in crown and screwed case back. The case back is aligned: the logo is always the right way up and in the same position, which is a nice touch as very often this is not the case for screwed case backs.

The Raider Deep blue is powered by an automatic movement indicating hours, minutes, seconds and the date. The automatic movement is a Sellita SW200, which is a reliable and precise ally, identical to the well-known ETA 2824.

Thanks to its case design and integrated rubber strap, the watch fits comfortably and snugly on the wrist. A metal bracelet with safety folding clasp with diving extension system and leather straps are also available.

For more information, visit www.favre-leuba.com

Technical specifications – Favre-Leuba Raider Deep Blue

• Case: 44 mm diameter x 13.5 mm thick – steel case – unidirectional rotating bezel – screw-in crown – sapphire crystal with antireflective coating on both sides – screwed and aligned case back – Water resistant to 30 ATM / 300m.
• Movement: mechanical movement with automatic winding (Sellita SW200 base) – 38h power reserve – 28’800 vibrations/h – 26 jewels – Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Strap: rubber with pin buckle or steel bracelet with safety folding clasp and diving extension system
• Price: Depends on the choice for strap or bracelet, and the choice for stainless steel or gun-metal PVD. It starts with the Raider Deep Blue in stainless steel with rubber strap for CHF 2.290 Swiss Francs. On steel bracelet is the most expensive version and this comes in at CHF 2.790 Swiss Francs.