Favre‑Leuba 1737 - Discover The World’s Second Oldest Watch Brand
Way back in 1737, Abraham Favre set up shop in Le Locle, Switzerland, and in doing so created the world’s second-oldest watch brand. A few generations later, his descendant Henry-Auguste teamed up with Auguste Leuba, and the legendary name Favre-Leuba was born.
So yes, they’re only two years younger than Blancpain. Not bad for a brand that still insists on looking rather good for its age.
Adventures and Innovations: Because Boring Isn’t Their Style
Favre-Leuba quickly carved out a reputation for bold, adventurous horology:
They were the first Swiss watchmaker to establish themselves in India back in the 19th century.
In 1962, they launched the Bivouac, the world’s first mechanical wristwatch with an altimeter and barometer.
By the mid-60s, they were diving deep with the Deep Blue, one of the earliest 200m water-resistant dive watches. Then in 1968, they went further still with the Bathy, which not only kept time underwater but also displayed dive depth.
This wasn’t just watchmaking. It was exploration, adventure and audacity strapped to your wrist.
The Fall and the (Many) Comebacks
Then came the quartz crisis of the 1970s. Mechanical watches looked suddenly outdated, and like many storied brands, Favre-Leuba stumbled. Ownership changed hands several times, and although there were revival attempts—the Mercury Collection in 2007 and the Raider and Chief lines in 2016—the momentum never quite stuck.
Geneva Watch Days 2024: A Grand Re-Awakening
Fast forward to August 2024, and Favre-Leuba made its most confident comeback yet. At Geneva Watch Days, the brand unveiled three new collections and a whopping 22 watch models, priced smartly in the CHF 2,000–4,500 range.
The Comeback Collections:
Chief: Retro-styled square cases inspired by 1970s chronographs, sporting the brand’s iconic hourglass logo.
Deep Blue Revival & Renaissance:
Revival: Faithful to the 1964 classic, with vintage-inspired lume and grey sunray dials, but upgraded with sapphire crystal, 300m resistance and a modern automatic movement.
Renaissance: Bigger, bolder and contemporary, with gradient dials in blue, green and anthracite.
Sea Sky Chronograph: A pilot-diver hybrid with dual tachymeter and telemeter scales, finished with a glossy ceramic bezel and a splash of 70s colour play.
The strategy is clear: capture the growing appetite for heritage-rich mechanical watches that don’t demand a second mortgage.
Credit - Favre Leuba
Credit - Favre Leuba
Why It Might Just Work This Time
There are a few reasons this relaunch feels different:
Strong roots in India: Favre-Leuba has always had a loyal following there, and now with the backing of a powerful retail network, they’re making India a cornerstone of their expansion.
Ambitious but grounded: Leadership is aiming high—talking hundreds of thousands of watches annually within a decade—but they’re starting with a sweet-spot market that makes sense.
Perfect timing: As luxury heavyweights like Omega and Breitling continue climbing in price, Favre-Leuba is filling the vacuum for collectors and enthusiasts who want Swiss mechanical storytelling at an accessible level.
Swiss craftsmanship, modern muscle: Movements come from respected suppliers, while design blends faithful revivals with contemporary touches. Plans even include a new workshop and museum to celebrate the brand’s history.
Credit - Favre Leuba
Credit - Favre Leuba
Final Thoughts: A Legacy That Still Ticks
Favre-Leuba’s journey has been anything but smooth—triumph, setback, reinvention, repeat. But in many ways, that makes this comeback all the more compelling.
They’ve got:
Over 285 years of watchmaking heritage.
A track record of genuine innovation.
Fresh collections that blend nostalgia with modern engineering.
A strategic relaunch that taps into the sweet spot of today’s market.
This isn’t just a watch brand dusting off the archives—it’s a phoenix moment. And if they play their cards right, Favre-Leuba could remind the world that being second-oldest doesn’t mean second-best. Discover Favre Leuba’s full history here.
