Sixty years after introducing the Favre Leuba Deep Raider timepiece, we are back with two new versions: the Deep Raider Revival and the Renaissance. These watches represent our return to the world of diving timepieces, each offering a different take on the brand’s heritage.
Deep Raider Revival: A Faithful Reproduction
Inspired by the 1964 Deep Blue, the Deep Raider Revival captures the spirit of the original. At 39mm, it keeps the original’s dimensions, going against the trend of ever-larger watches. The grey sunburst dial features baton-shaped indices and hands filled with eggshell coloured Super-LumiNova, designed to mimic the look of aged radium. It glows green in the dark, just like the original. Other period-correct details include a round date window at 4:30 and the 30 ATM text in capital letters at 3 o’clock. However, this isn’t just a simple reissue. The Revival houses the FLD01 automatic movement with a 68-hour power reserve. Water resistance has been increased from 200m to 300m. Some updates improve durability without changing the watch’s appearance. The acrylic crystal has been replaced with sapphire, and the bezel now uses a sapphire insert instead of bakelite. These changes make the Revival more suitable for everyday wear.
The Revival’s unidirectional rotating bezel deserves special mention. It faithfully reproduces the look of the original bakelite bezel, complete with a luminous triangle at 12 o’clock and a white printed scale. Another notable feature is the solid caseback, engraved with the ‘Favre Leuba 1737’ signature and the brand’s hourglass emblem. This detail not only adds to the vintage feel but also serves as a reminder of the brand’s long-standing heritage in watchmaking.
Deep Raider Renaissance: A Modern Interpretation
The Deep Raider Renaissance takes a different approach, updating the 1964 design for today’s tastes. The case is slightly larger at 40mm, and the dial options include deep blue, intense green, and anthracite grey. These dials feature a smoked effect that darkens towards the edges, adding visual depth. While the hands and indices are larger than those on the Revival, they have maintained a vintage-inspired shape. They are filled with white Super-LumiNova that glows blue, improving nighttime readability. The Renaissance also uses the FLD02 movement and offers 300m of water resistance.
Modern touches include a display caseback showing off the movement and a ceramic bezel insert with redesigned numerals for better legibility. The ceramic insert is not only more scratch-resistant than the Revival’s sapphire, but its redesigned numerals offer enhanced legibility, crucial for a diving watch. Another modern touch is the enlarged screw-down crown. Engraved with Favre Leuba’s hourglass emblem, it’s not just aesthetically pleasing but also ensures water resistance and ease of operation, even with diving gloves.
Interchangeable Strap And Bracelet
Both timepieces offer a choice between steel bracelets and rubber straps. The Revival’s bracelet reproduces the original five-link design with triangular links. The Renaissance uses a more modern three-link bracelet. Both feature quick-change systems for easy swapping. The unique five-link design makes it a standout feature. It’s comfortable on the wrist and adds to the vintage appeal of the watch. The Renaissance’s rubber strap can withstand the rigours of diving, resistant to saltwater and extreme temperatures.
Looking Forward
The Deep Raider collection shows how we are balancing our history with modern watchmaking. The Revival model offers a slice of 1964 updated for today’s standards, while the Renaissance reimagines that heritage for the modern diver. Both watches carry the DNA of Favre Leuba’s innovative spirit, balancing form and function in a way that honours the past while embracing the future.
As we resurface in the watch industry, the Deep Raider collection makes a clear statement: Favre Leuba knows their history and are ready to make waves once again.
