Favre-Leuba Raider Bathy 120 MemoDepth with Mechanical Depth Gauge

Silent for a number of years, Favre Leuba is back, re-energized with the launch of a collection of rugged and functional timepieces such as the Raider Harpoon or the impressive Bivouac 9000. For Baselworld 2018, the brand introduces another bold dive watch packing multi-functional punch and a cool (and rare) mechanical depth gauge. Meet the new Favre-Leuba Raider Bathy 120 MemoDepth.

The Favre Leuba Raider Bathy MemoDepth indicates depth on two scales: the center hand, coaxial to the hours and minutes, shows the current depth. The 3 o’clock sub-dial records the critical maximum depth reached (up to 120m) secured with a reset pusher at 4 o’clock.

The Bathy is a modern revival of the brand’s rich dive watch tradition. Presented during the brand’s heydays (1968), the Bathy was one of the first dive watches equipped with a depth gauge. The name Bathy comes from the Greek bathus, meaning deep.

The 2018 Bathy owes some influence to its ancestors, but it is by no means a simple reproduction. Instead, this mega dive watch is a modern creation, standing out with a retro-futuristic design accented with bold colors. At 48mm x 19mm, this watch is massive and boasts the gargantuan dimensions you have to expect with such complications. Fashioned out of grade 5 titanium, it is surprisingly light despite these dimensions. The angular barrel-shape case incorporates a round opening for the dial, framed by a notched unidirectional rotating bezel. The crown is screw-down. The secured pusher with its anti-skid surface allows resetting the vital maximum depth indication.

The black dial is enhanced with depth indications in blue. The outer scale displays the current depth on a light blue to a black background, with critical decompression stops highlighted in red. The maximum depth is recorded on the 3 o’clock sub-dial. The faceted hour markers, as well as the hour and minute hands, feature luminescent material for optimal legibility under water. The power reserve is displayed at 12 o’clock, the date at 6 o’clock while the small seconds counter sweeps at 9 o’clock.

Turning the watch over, the case back features a grid in the shape of the brand’s logo and allows the water to establish contact with the aneroid capsule. When diving, depth increases the pressure. Every 10 meters (33 ft) of depth adds another bar. As the pressure increases, the capsule contracts. Linear motion is transmitted to a gear mechanism and converted into a rotational movement. Water-resistance is of 200 m. Precision is key for this sophisticated in-house mechanism as the expansion/contraction of the capsule crafted in a special copper alloy must be regular. A built-in mechanical limiter ensures that neither the pressure membrane nor the depth gauge is damaged if the wearer dives deeper than the optimal range.

The watch is powered by the hand-wound caliber FL321 based on the Eterna Caliber 39 re-engineered by Favre-Leuba. The depth gauge module is an in-house development. Running at 28,800 vibrations per hour, it can store up to 65 hours of power reserve.

The Favre Leuba Raider ‘Bathy MemoDepth’ is worn on an integrated rubber strap embossed with the brand’s name and secured with a pin buckle. Price is set at CHF 8,500. For more information, you can visit www.favre-leuba.com.