Favre Luebe Bathy 160

matthewt · Mar 15, 2021

Found a neat diver from, i believe, the early 60's. Great complication, having the mechanical depth meter built in. This watch doesn't look like it was worn...or worn very little, as it still has its original FL "plastic" strap and buckle. Anyone know what numbers of these were made and the ratio of feet 160 versions to meters 50's? Thanks

smitty190373 · Mar 15, 2021

That looks lovely... paging @Adri @KP-99

Tony C. · Mar 15, 2021

Don't know the numbers, but Favre-Leuba made three superb sports/tool watches during the '60s, this one, the Bivouac (with a built-in altimeter), and the classic Deep-Blue divers. They are all worth collecting, and the one you show appears to be in remarkable condition.

Ness · Mar 15, 2021

This is a great tool watch. Based on my observations, it has gained value appreciation in the last three years or so, and it now requires a serious investment. That example seems to be in excellent conduction.

simonsays · Mar 15, 2021

Tony C.
Don't know the numbers, but Favre-Leuba made three superb sports/tool watches during the '60s, this one, the Bivouac (with a built-in altimeter), and the classic Deep-Blue divers. They are all worth collecting, and the one you show appears to be in remarkable condition.

And don't forget the Sea Sky

Zuke · Mar 15, 2021

Your Favre Leuba looks amazing! I've always loved this watch, they are quite rare and tough to find especially in good condition. it took me quite a few years but I finally tracked one down thanks to another OF member.

Enjoy it and wear it in good health!

Here is mine

Adri · Mar 15, 2021

Congratulation you have here a very nice Bathy 160 Ref. 53243👍

First shown as Bathy 15 at the Baselworld in 1965

In 1966 FL launched the Bathy 50/160 Ref. 53243

I think the production 50/160 is equal an around 1000 pieces.
1000 pieces because I have never seen a four digit production number and both have the same reference number.

The production number will you find on your caseback beside the reference number.

I had the luck to find a 50 and 160 in very good condition.

It would be amazing if you could show us a few more pictures of the original tropic strap because I never had the pleasure to see one.

Have fun with it and wear it in good health😀

imfagent449 · Mar 15, 2021

When I would visit India - I remember that a lot of people would say tha Favre-Leuba was considered one of the best watches you could buy (from when they were young). I guess that was from their earlier days - so perhaps in the 1970s to the 1980s. I always wondered what watch makers were in the Indian market at that time and their different strategies.

Dan S · Mar 15, 2021

That's a very cool watch. Is it pretty thick?

matthewt · Mar 15, 2021

Adri
Congratulation you have here a very nice Bathy 160 Ref. 53243👍

First shown as Bathy 15 at the Baselworld in 1965

In 1966 FL launched the Bathy 50/160 Ref. 53243

I think the production 50/160 is equal an around 1000 pieces.
1000 pieces because I have never seen a four digit production number and both have the same reference number.

The production number will you find on your caseback beside the reference number.

I had the luck to find a 50 and 160 in very good condition.

It would be amazing if you could show us a few more pictures of the original tropic strap because I never had the pleasure to see one.

Have fun with it and wear it in good health😀

Thanks for your info, yours looks amazing too. Below is the strap that i believe is original to the watch as the seller tells me it was never changed.

matthewt · Mar 15, 2021

Dan S
That's a very cool watch. Is it pretty thick?

Thanks. The watch is quite thick, but not overly so, where it is strange looking. "Substantial" is how i would describe it...😀

matthewt · Mar 15, 2021

Adri
Congratulation you have here a very nice Bathy 160 Ref. 53243👍

First shown as Bathy 15 at the Baselworld in 1965

In 1966 FL launched the Bathy 50/160 Ref. 53243

I think the production 50/160 is equal an around 1000 pieces.
1000 pieces because I have never seen a four digit production number and both have the same reference number.

The production number will you find on your caseback beside the reference number.

I had the luck to find a 50 and 160 in very good condition.

It would be amazing if you could show us a few more pictures of the original tropic strap because I never had the pleasure to see one.

Have fun with it and wear it in good health😀

Thanks for the info, really appreciate it. Love these old ads! You have a wonderful collection there....congrats!

matthewt · Mar 15, 2021

Zuke
Your Favre Leuba looks amazing! I've always loved this watch, they are quite rare and tough to find especially in good condition. it took me quite a few years but I finally tracked one down thanks to another OF member.

Enjoy it and wear it in good health!

Here is mine

Thank you! Yours is a beauty too! Congrats!

Medinatalzahra · Mar 16, 2021

Adri
Congratulation you have here a very nice Bathy 160 Ref. 53243👍

First shown as Bathy 15 at the Baselworld in 1965

In 1966 FL launched the Bathy 50/160 Ref. 53243

I think the production 50/160 is equal an around 1000 pieces.
1000 pieces because I have never seen a four digit production number and both have the same reference number.

The production number will you find on your caseback beside the reference number.

I had the luck to find a 50 and 160 in very good condition.

It would be amazing if you could show us a few more pictures of the original tropic strap because I never had the pleasure to see one.

Have fun with it and wear it in good health😀

These are all really great examples. The Bathys are in great condition. I own a Bivouac. It is really fun. I take it hiking and skiing. The baromoter/altimeter functions perfectly. Not that you are going to take these Bathys in the water, I was always curious to see it function as a diver. I will post some photos of my piece tomorrow.... M

KP-99 · Mar 16, 2021

Great find!
Adri told you all, you have to know.
Buckle is correct and I think, the bracelet should be at least out of the correct time.
Very nice diver and the condition seems outstanding.
Congrats and wear it in good health!

Medinatalzahra · Mar 16, 2021

As promised, attached are a few photos of my Bivouac. That Bathy is really nice and on my list ....

Medinatalzahra · Mar 16, 2021

I will note that the barometric pressure reads 620 mm Hg, which translates to ~1680 meters (read on the bezel) -- equaling ~5550 ft. I am currently at ~5280 feeet, so pretty accurate for a 1960's instrument... M

KP-99 · Mar 16, 2021

Favre Leuba made some real nice toolwatches.
The Bivouac for adventurer, mountaineers and skydivers:

and some nice chronographs and diver (Deep diver/ Bathy with "bathometer"):

Yours is a real nice example for a Favre Leuba toolwatch!

Medinatalzahra · Mar 16, 2021

I had not seen that Bivouac dial before. I like it. What year / model is that one?

KP-99 · Mar 17, 2021

There are different dials out there.
This is a Ref. 53213 with blue/dark blue dial.
The blue dials seem to be more rare.
But there are other versions, i.e. a blue version of the 53203 or a Eddie Bauer co-labeled blue Favre Leuba Bivouac:

I love the blued dial Bivouacs!

Favre Luebe Bathy 160

matthewt

smitty190373

Tony C.

Ness

simonsays

Zuke

Adri

imfagent449

Dan S

matthewt

matthewt

matthewt

matthewt

Medinatalzahra

KP-99

Medinatalzahra

Medinatalzahra

KP-99

Medinatalzahra

KP-99

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