How the World’s Second-Oldest Watch Brand, Favre Leuba, Is Revisiting Its 1966 Icon

When history whispers, do you listen, or do you wear it? Favre Leuba is answering that question by breathing fresh life into its storied archive, proving that true legacy never ticks away, it only evolves. Following the debut of the Harpoon Revival at Watches and Wonders Geneva earlier this year, the second-oldest Swiss watchmaking brand, founded in 1737 in Le Locle, is expanding its collection. To know more about the Harpoon revival, click here. While the initial launch honored its 1966 predecessor with a classic gray dial, the series is now welcoming two striking new references dressed in deep black and blue. 
A Contemporary Lens on 1966 Heritage
The new black and blue variations boast a rich, contemporary tone brought to life by a dynamic sunray-brushed surface that catches light from every angle. True to the historic design, these models preserve signature details across key visual elements. Both editions incorporate applied rhodium-plated hour markers that echo the unique geometry of the original design. These markers are oriented horizontally at 12, 6, and 9 o'clock rather than vertically. Furthermore, the classic "Harpoon" signature is rendered in the exact same stylized typography found on the 1966 edition. This design choice allows the watch to stay true to the character of the historic dial. A metallic frame surrounds the date aperture at three o'clock to enhance layout clarity. Meanwhile, rhodium-plated hands filled with Super-LumiNova ensure reliable legibility in low-light conditions. As CEO Patrik Hoffmann notes, the collection allows the brand to revisit an important chapter of its history through a contemporary lens. This reinterpretation offers a broader character and greater versatility for today's wearer. 

Designed for Everyday Wear and High Performance
Beneath the vintage exterior lies modern mechanical mastery. Measuring a balanced 36.8 mm in diameter with a slim 10 mm profile, the stainless steel case houses the self-winding FLD04 caliber based on the La Joux-Perret G100 automatic movement. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, the movement delivers a robust 68-hour power reserve. Practicality meets luxury down to the final detail. The watch features anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass. It also offers water resistance up to 5 ATM, making it well-suited for everyday wear. Each piece comes paired with a leather strap in black or brown, matching the respective black or blue dial. The strap is secured by a stainless steel pin buckle and features an integrated easy-change system that requires no tools. Both new Harpoon Revival references retail for CHF 1'800. 

As Favre Leuba continues its Renaissance era following its global relaunch and milestone exhibition at Watches and Wonders Geneva, these new additions invite a new generation of explorers to conquer their own frontiers. To know about their collaboration with Gaurav Gupta, click here. 

All Favre Leuba watches are available at the Ethos stores.