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A Vintage 1969 Favre-Leuba ‘Bathy 50’ Diver’s Watch with Depth Gauge First Sold New in October 1976! 

One of the most revolutionary diver’s watches ever made, the groundbreaking Favre-Leuba ‘Bathy’ was the world’s first wrist watch capable of measuring depth underwater, thanks to its precision engineering and aneroid barometer technology. 

The example on sale here is a full set 1969 model, with reference number 53243-42, which reads to a depth of up to 50 metres. 

The case is a magnificent feat of engineering, seriously sturdy with a range of diver’s tools including a black Bakelite rotating bezel and the innovative internal diaphragm that gauges and transmits external pressure readings, seen on the red depth hand. 

The watch also features vitally important decompression indicators to ensure that ascent is properly timed, thus avoiding a potentially fatal case of ‘The Bends’ (decompression sickness.)

The crisp red hands and dial rings, all in beautiful condition, make underwater visibility almost perfect, assisted by the lume in the white triangle at 12 o’clock and in the markings at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock on the dial itself. 

This carefully crafted watch, signed with the Favre Leuba logo on the dial and screw-down crown,  has beautiful typography and attention to detail throughout, with a tasteful balance between form and function. 

The original manual wind movement is a Peseux Calibre 320. 

What’s On Offer 

Purchased new in Majorca in 1976, the watch has had one lady owner who used it for professional diving off the coast of Scotland for many years. She was meticulous in caring for the piece which is still in superb condition for its age with an unpolished case with original thick profile and crisp, sharp edges. There is an email and some photos from the original owner that will come with the watch, giving the back story and a little snapshot history of the watch and some of the adventures it has been worn on.

The black dial is in flawless condition with the original tritium still present in the bezel, hands and depth gauge ring. The plexiglas has only a few micro marks, commensurate with age and use, but these can probably be polished out should you request it? 

This piece has been recently serviced and pressure tested by our expert watchmaker and is now in perfect working order and even pressure tested, so it is again fit for purpose and we can comfortably confirm that the depth gauge works and is pretty damned accurate as had been confirmed already by the original owner and diver we purchased the watch from! 

This fine and stunningly original watch is sold with the original box, paperwork and photos of its original owner together with the printed email and will come with our 12 months guarantee. 

This is a fabulously preserved and a full set example which you are unlikely to see again!

Additional information

Made from

Case: Stainless steel

Dial: Black  

Crystal: Plexiglas

Bracelet: Black period correct tropic rubber strap, adjustable in length

Technical specifications

Winding: Manual wind

Movement type: Automatic

Calibre: Peseux 320

Jewels: 15j 

Waterproof: Yes

Purchase details

Condition: Excellent overall condition for its age 9/10

Model Reference Number: 532431-42 

Date of issue: 1969

Guarantee

Supplied with a 12-month Vintage Watch Specialist guarantee  

Dimensions

Width: 40mm

Lug width: 21mm

Height (lug to lug): 46mm

Wrist size: Adjustable