Favre Leuba - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Founded in 1737 by Abraham Favre in Le Locle, Switzerland, Favre Leuba is the second oldest Swiss watch brand, with a heritage spanning almost three centuries. Since its creation, the brand has stood out for its pioneering spirit and technical innovations, contributing significantly to the evolution of watchmaking.

Beginnings and International Expansion

As early as the 18th century, Abraham Favre established his reputation as a talented watchmaker, dedicated to improving the precision and reliability of watch movements. In 1792, with his sons Frédéric and Henry-Louis, he officially founded the company A. Favre & Fils, laying the foundations of a watchmaking dynasty. At the beginning of the 19th century, the collaboration with the Leuba family, also active in watchmaking, gave birth to the brand Favre Leuba in 1815. This strategic alliance allowed the company to expand its presence in international markets.

One of the milestones of this expansion is Favre Leuba's entry into the Indian market in 1865, making the brand the first Swiss watchmaker to establish itself in this country. This initiative demonstrates the brand's avant-garde vision and its ambition to conquer new horizons.

Major Innovations and Contributions

Throughout its history, Favre Leuba has been at the forefront of watchmaking innovation. Notable contributions include:

Monopusher Chronograph : Around 1925, the brand developed a monopusher chronograph, demonstrating its mastery of complex watchmaking complications.

Bivouac model : In 1962, Favre Leuba presented the Bivouac, the first mechanical wristwatch equipped with an altimeter and an aneroid barometer, an essential tool for mountaineers and adventurers.

Deep Blue model : Launched in 1964, this diving watch is water resistant up to 200 meters, meeting the needs of professional divers.

Bathy model : In 1968, the brand innovated with the Bathy, the first mechanical watch indicating not only the diving time, but also the depth reached, offering increased safety to divers.

Challenges and Renaissance

Like many watch companies, Favre Leuba faced the quartz crisis in the 1970s, a period during which inexpensive quartz watches competed strongly with traditional mechanical watches. This situation led the family to sell the company in 1985. After several changes of ownership, the brand was acquired in 2011 by Titan Company, a subsidiary of the Indian conglomerate Tata Group.

Under this new management, Favre Leuba is undertaking an ambitious relaunch. In 2016, the brand unveils the collections Raider And Chief, highlighting iconic models such as the Favre Leuba Raider Harpoon, which reinterprets the aesthetic and technical codes of the brand's historic diving watches.

Current Collections

Today, Favre Leuba offers several collections that pay homage to its rich heritage while integrating modern technologies:

Favre Leuba Deep Blue : This collection revisits the legendary diver's watch from 1964, combining timeless sophistication and cutting-edge performance. Favre Leuba Sea Sky : Merging the worlds of sea and sky, these sporty watches feature an elegant design and are designed for modern adventurers. Favre Leuba Chief : Inspired by models from the 1970s, this collection presents retro-style watches with contemporary functionality, reflecting the pioneering spirit of the brand.

Conclusion

With a rich history of almost 300 years, Favre Leuba embodies Swiss watchmaking excellence and innovation. His journey, punctuated by challenges and successes, demonstrates remarkable resilience and an ability to reinvent himself while remaining faithful to his heritage. Favre Leuba watches, combining tradition and modernity, continue to seduce watch enthusiasts around the world.

(Updated February 2025)