Favre Leuba is one of those brands whose history deserves far greater attention. Founded in 1737 in Le Locle, it holds the distinction of being the second-oldest Swiss watchmaking brand in the world. In 2026, the brand made its debut at Watches and Wonders Geneva, and it arrives with a clear statement: the Deep Raider Power Reserve.
The Dial
The dial of the Deep Raider Power Reserve opens with a sunray finish that radiates from the centre outward, producing a dynamic interplay of light that changes noticeably as the watch moves across the wrist. Two sub-dials break the visual rhythm and both receive a snailed finishing, executed through a technique known as record turning, which lays down concentric circles of consistent depth. The small seconds counter sits at 9 o’clock, and the power reserve indicator occupies 6 o’clock. A triple-figure date aperture in a vertical arc appears at 3 o’clock, and each of these elements carries a raised metallic frame that gives them a three-dimensional presence.
The applied indexes are rhodium-plated with a polished finish, and the hour and minute hands receive the same rhodium treatment. Favre Leuba fills both hands and indexes with Super-LumiNova C1 X1, which emits a blue glow in darkness, a practical detail for a dive-oriented piece. Favre Leuba offers the dial in five colours: white, black, green, blue, and ice blue.
The Movement
The FL P01 calibre powers the Deep Raider Power Reserve, and Favre Leuba confirms it builds on the Sellita SW279-1 base. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, equivalent to 4 Hz, and houses 26 jewels. The self-winding rotor charges a mainspring that delivers up to 41 hours of power reserve, readable at a glance through the dedicated sub-dial at 6 o’clock. That power reserve indicator is precisely the functional addition that differentiates this reference from the rest of the Deep Raider Renaissance line. The SW279-1 platform is a reliable, well-proven architecture, and Favre Leuba deploys it sensibly at this price point, focusing the value proposition on dial execution and case engineering rather than proprietary movement decoration.
The Case
The stainless steel case measures 40 mm in diameter and 12.59 mm in thickness, proportions that keep it wearable on a broad range of wrist sizes. A curved sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating sits above the dial, and a screw-in crown, knurled for grip, secures the water resistance rating of 300 metres. The tapered lugs and polished chamfered edges introduce a contrast of surfaces that elevates the overall architecture.
The unidirectional rotating bezel integrates a ceramic insert and carries a luminous pip at 12 o’clock for tracking dive time underwater. The integrated stainless steel bracelet alternates brushed and polished links in a triple-link construction and closes with a butterfly clasp. A tool-free quick-change system allows the wearer to swap to any rubber strap from the Deep Raider Renaissance series without visiting a watchmaker. On the reverse, the caseback presents a chemical-engraved medallion incorporating Favre Leuba’s historic emblem within a wave-inspired motif, along with the inscription “Conquering Frontiers Since 1737”.
Final Thoughts
The Deep Raider Power Reserve connects a lineage that started with the 1964 Deep Blue, developed through the 2024 Renaissance relaunch, and now grows into functional complication territory. CEO Patrik Hoffmann frames it precisely: “The Power Reserve strengthens the Deep Raider collection by adding mechanical depth while preserving the robustness and clarity that define the Deep Raider today.” At CHF 2,500, this is a five-dial-colour, 300-metre-rated, power-reserve-equipped Swiss automatic that positions Favre Leuba competitively in a segment where value and heritage rarely converge so neatly. For a brand exhibiting at Watches and Wonders Geneva for the very first time in 2026, it is a confident and well-calculated step forward.
