Up for sale is this super cool and funky vintage Favre-Leuba “Deep Blue” Daymatic diver with fantastic “Roulette” dial and matching checkerboard Bakelite elapsed time bezel in heavy water resistant screwed stainless steel case. Unlike a lot of the other Deep Blue models, this late 1960s/early 1970s model is a reasonable size for everyday wear and comes on a signed FL bracelet. This stunning retro classic from the great house of Favre-Leuba has an ultra funky style to it and is in overall Excellent vintage condition with a gorgeous Mint dial and original hands. I can honestly say that I don’t think you could find a better example of this ultra rare watch no matter how hard you looked. So why bother? This is the one to have for your collection and definitely not one you are likely to see on anyone else's wrist, as it had a very short production run.

The asking price for this sweet Deep Blue is $1950 USD including fully insured worldwide shipping. Payment must be made in US DOLLARS. Bank Wire or Paypal eCheck strongly preferred. Paypal instant transfer is also OK with split fees (+2% from the buyer). Other payment options upon application.

Click Here for Large Dial Scan>>> http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/tomvox1/FavreLeubaDeepBlue/FavreLeubaDeepBlue-Master.jpg

CASE & BACK: Eminently wearable 39mm wide (not including crown) x 42mm long x 12mm thick solid stainless three-piece tonneau case. With its polygon crystal retainer and screwed back the style is extremely reminiscent of a Zodiac Super Sea Wolf or LeColutre Polaris II. Case has perhaps been lightly polished and is extra clean with only extremely minor marks, easily Excellent+. The crystal retaining ring does have some tool marks present to the faceted sides and so is Very Good. Heavy screwed polygon back has a few scratches externally but all correct period Deep Blue nomenclature is present and crisp, Excellent cosmetic condition and probably only lightly polished in the past. The inner back is corrosion-free although there is one gauge to a part of the edge, perhaps due to incorrect opening technique (there looks to be a matching mark on the case lip). However, it screws into the case smoothly and tightly. Note the very fat inner case gasket sitting snugly in the case recess for extra water resistance. To say the least, the case and back are in remarkable condition for an approximately 40-year-old watch.

DIAL & HANDS: Absolutely gorgeous and Mint cobalt blue dial with multicolor red and black accents, finely printed minute track, applied FL "hourglass" logo and red-framed date window at “6”. All original (Tritium?) luminous is intact and all dial text is crisp and legible. Original and characteristic luminous “paddle” hands are Near Mint with just a bit of cracking to the luminous fill apparent and the bright red baton sweep seconds is likewise Near Mint. Simply a stunning Roulette dial and about the best condition you are likely to ever come across.

BEZEL: Notched steel bidirectional bezel with awesome black & white checkerboard Bakelite insert with red numerals and luminous triangle at “0”. The bezel itself is in Near Mint cosmetic condition and rotates in both directions freely and with a slight ratcheting action. The plastic insert has few small scratches but no cracks or chips and is Excellent. As a design element, it might not be the most legible elapsed time bezel you will ever see on a diver but it is one of the most stunning.

CROWN: Original large Favre-Leuba signed screw down crown screws down tightly, winds in the first detent position when unscrewed and pulls out to the time-setting position, as it should.

CRYSTAL: Recessed slightly domed acrylic crystal is super clean and clear, essentially NOS looking and Mint.

MOVEMENT: High-grade 21-jewel full rotor automatic-winding movement with Incabloc shock protection and gilt finish marked caliber FL 1153. This is another iteration of the excellent and durable auto movement jointly developed by Favre-Leuba, Girard-Perregaux, Doxa, Eberhard, and Zodiac in the 1960s. The date is semi-quickset, meaning it can be set rapidly by repeatedly moving the hands back and forth between approximately 9:30 PM and Midnight. The date change itself is as quick as a camera shutter, a la a Rolex. While I do not know the service history and cannot guarantee that it will not need service in future, this robust movement is keeping excellent time with a strong power reserve. Guaranteed to be functioning properly at the time of shipment, no, ifs ands or buts.

STRAP: This fantastic Deep Blue comes on a super tight signed FL heavy Oyster-style bracelet in Excellent cosmetic condition. This bracelet has a very high build quality with 4 removable links and should fit up to about a 7 3/4” wrist at full length. This watch has a lug width of 19mm.

I make NO guarantees for the water resistance of this watch in any way, shape or form. If you want to use it as it was originally intended, take it to your watchmaker and have it tested.

This great vintage Favre-Leuba “Deep Blue” is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund (less any shipping costs incurred by the buyer). This refund is unconditional and once I get the watch back in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.

Thanks for looking,
T.
tomvox1@hotmail.com