A Brand's Story : Le Forban by Extropian

Who is Le Forban?

Le Forban is a rebirth story, a brand that has legitimacy and know how, a brand that needed to comeback to our watch world. Le Forban is one of the coolest names in the military scene since its inception in 1969, it was sold directly to nautical equipment shops and also proudly worn by the French Navy and maritime patrols. This brand has now comeback with a full swing and also 3 new models: the Malouine, the Brestoise and the Rochelaise. They have recently added a 4th model as well, so stay tuned!

Why Le Forban?

Today, to wear a watch with heritage seems to be the real value from the word luxury. It’s hard to imagine a piece of history on your wrist that doesn’t break the bank, and here is where the Brittany-based brand come is. Le Forban lineup includes different price range, meaning that potentially anyone can afford one. Also, it is worth mentioning that the brand is not just a name which has been revived, it lives by the principles of precision and quality when the brand was established 60 years ago. Of course, modern techniques have enhanced the brand, giving us even better quality.

What are the key design elements?

Le Forban watches are clearly military inspired, and moreover, they are very strong with diving watches. Being an accessory supplied to special forces, it is not surprise that everything feels function first; great lume adorns the dial, big legible markers and hands, plus a thin bezel giving that vintage vibe that includes modern construction. The watches itself are very good looking in our opinion, the deep black dial is elegant while the blue ones add a touch of everyday, the watches are a bit of chameleon, they can be dress up and dress down. We are also excited with the new entry in they lineup: the Omaha. An automatic chronograph oozing pilot’s vibes combined with elegance. 

How does the brand operate?

A refreshing approach from La Forban is that they have their structure or pillars very well defined, this not only gives the wearer good piece of mind when purchasing a watch but also gives the sense that the brand is going to be here for a long time. Their main pillars are: 

• French heritage: born and executed in France, Le Forban is for those who are proud of the naval history of the country and the quality of watch that belongs with it, vintage or modern, it’s a great addition.
• Premium Quality: the idea is to offer mechanical pieces with a good level of sophistication with materials that are addressed in higher price bracket such as sapphire crystal, 316 stainless steel and original design.
• Always mechanical: they believe that mechanical is the way forward and more sustainable than battery quartz pieces, certainly a great point for us watch enthusiast.
• Assembled in France: the quality control and assembly is done in Brittany, so you can ensure with the longevity of the investment.

Who are they for?

Le Forban watches are for those who are in love with history, and more specifically naval history. To own a watch from a brand that has contributed with the exploration and expansion of the seas always has a nice ring to it. The fact that they are affordable but a household name, means that it is a hidden gem among watch enthusiast, is one of those watches where you can say:’’if you know, you know..’’

Also, these watches are made for people who appreciate quality from every angle, the case construction, distorted dial under the sapphire crystal and a lume that can light up and entire room, they are companions that can withstand wear and tear and look good afterwards.

The Omaha

A new chronograph, a new look. The French brand has now launched their new watch based on chronographs of the 40s used on the D-Day landings. We were curious on how the design will be as vintage chronographs are sometimes considered a grail for us. We are glad to say that they have delivered, a black and green variant are encased on the 39mm case which houses an NH86, now the interesting part is that the watch is under 12mm thick which is a great technical feature from the brand. 

Keeping the design inline with the other watches, the Omaha adds an aluminium bezel and add 50 meters of water resistance. Coming back to the dial, the gilt accents create a vintage vibe that is also matched by strap options, all periods correct. It is available as a limited edition green model (80 pieces) priced at 1,944 Euros and a black version for 1,690 Euros (VAT included).

The Brestoise

A watch that needs no introduction, the Brestoise is one of the best releases to us from Le Forban. It is a tool watch with sporty looks, the watch is a tribute to their first model launched in 1969. The black or blue dial are a perfect canvas for those iconic ‘’sausage’’ style markers and arrow minute hand. The dimensions are also spot on our opinion, the 38.4 mm case with a bezel overhanging at 39mm makes the Brestoise a good companion not only for everyday use but also to perform when needs to add 150 meters of water resistance. We quite enjoy the date at 3 pm with a trapezoid opening, looks elegant just like the rest of the watch.

The Brestoise runs on the Miyota 8215 which keeps it affordable at 490 Euros but also reliable. 

The Malouine

If there is a word to define the Malouine is elegance and if we must be more specific, it is elegance from the 70s. In this era, diving gear weren’t supposed to be classy or refined, they needed to be precise but with age, our perception changed, the watches got bigger and bulky but not at Le Forban. The Malouine measures 39mm at the bezel but the case is 0.6mm smaller, it might sound insignificant, but aided with the under 48mm lug to lug, the wearing experience is reflected. As every watch from Le Forban, the Malouine case houses a Miyota 8215 with hacking function, the domed sapphire also makes an appearance here protecting the sector like dial. This design has been used by many brands, but we believe this execution is unique by adding a long arrow minute hand, a very thin bezel, and distortions at the edge of the dial, very good attention to detail. The Malouine is available in black or blue and it comes with a tropic rubber strap at a price of 490 Euros. 

The Rochelaise 

There is no complete vintage inspired line up without a super compressor style watch. For Le Forban this is what the Rochelaise represents:  a look back to divers from the 60’s and 70’s including a black inner rotating bezel with ‘’funky colours’’ to provide the ultimate vibe. The Rochelaise has a completely different case with a squatter shape, but dimensions remain very similar at 39mm, a short 46mm lug to lug and a thickness under 12mm thanks to the Miyota 9039 movement. 

The brushed dials come in 3 varieties: sea green, sand beige and a ocean blue. It is hard to think which one ticks all our boxes, but green and 60’s go hand in hand. Of course, being an internal rotating style watch, the Rochelaise looks more refined and less tool like, but it still gives you the security with 150 meters of water resistance. The Rochelaise price is higher starting at 740 EUR, but it does feels like a more unique and refined product.

Conclusions

There is a lot to enjoy from a watch that is behind a brand with lots of history. There are owners who focused on the design and other in what it has achieved, whichever flavor you want to go for. We believe that Le Forban is a brand that it should be on your shortlist.

We particularly enjoy that the modern iteration of Le Forban kept all the principles that the French house lived on, not only this offer continuity but also makes the wearer feels special, part of something long lasting, and to us this is true luxury.

We are looking forward to seeing in person that Ohama chronograph, I believe with the current proportions that is been offered, it is a unique market proposition.