Seiko Champion

I left one watch from yesterday’s “bucket o’ eBay” for a separate post.



A vintage Favre-Leuba Bivuoac was the first watch I ever saw, with a bulit-in mechanical altimeter. This is actually an aneroid barometer which measures air pressure, and transmits the tiny variations in size of this device, to a hand which displays against an internal bezel with height markings.



Although such a device would have minor fluctuations due to weather conditions (ie barometric pressure!), it would be reaonably accurate in gauging what height you were at when mountain climbing. That is, at least until more accurate electronic devices came along, followed of course by satellite positioning and GPS – but for the era this was quite something.

First introduced by this brand in 1962/63, it was not a complication that was ever mass-produced, or one that had high marketing visibility, although Favre-Leuba certainly mentioned it then and now in their corporate and product marketing.

I’ve mentioned this watch in an earlier post. I’ve seen wabi-ish versions sell for $500-$700, but this is a watch not often seen. This specific one a great example of this watch – as you can see from the image of the back which still has the protective coating, it’s New Old Stock – an amazing find for such a watch!



The price matched the quality – US$2,225.

This specific watch incorporates a Favre-Leuba 40x caliber, which I understand is a modified version of a Peseux 320 movement. This was a good quality 17 jewels, incabloc, 18,000 beat, 40 h power reserve, manual winding base Swiss caliber of the era.

A similar model was released in 1966 as the Favre-Leuba Bathy, which was as the name portends was designed for diving, with a similar mechanism becoming a depth meter. In 2008 the reborn Favre-Leuba reissued this watch as the modern Bathy V2, but I still REALLY like the originals from the 60s/70s, they are beautiful and wonderful watches!



Near-mint vintage mechanical watches from the 60s and 70s are still out there. You can get bargains for lesser known brands, but for items like this, expect to pay. (click images for links to sources)