When historical watchmaking brands dip into their archives, the results often swing between faithful re-editions and modernised reimaginings.
Unveiled at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, the Favre Leuba Harpoon Revival firmly chooses the former path.
Celebrating six decades since the launch of the original 1966 Harpoon, this new black dial execution captures mid-century Swiss elegance in its purest form, bringing one of the brand’s most distinctive silhouettes back into contemporary rotation.
Priced at an accessible £1800, the Harpoon Revival successfully bridges vintage authenticity with high-spec modern mechanics.
Mid-Century Proportions & Polished Steel Geometry
At the core of the Harpoon Revival’s appeal is its commitment to period-correct sizing. Rather than upsizing the chassis for modern tastes, Favre Leuba retained the original’s refined 36.8mm case diameter and slender 10mm height.
A compact 43.5mm lug-to-lug span ensures comfortable wearability across a broad spectrum of wrist sizes, sitting close to the skin like a classic mid-century dress watch.
The entire stainless steel case—including the fixed bezel—features a brilliant mirror-polished finish that catches the light from every angle. Shielding the dial is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal treated with an anti-reflective coating, while a screw-down caseback helps secure a practical 5 ATM (50 metres) water resistance rating.
Turning the watch over reveals a sealed steel back adorned with precision chemical engraving, faithfully replicating the 1966 original’s circular typography and central hourglass crest.
A Convention-Defying Sunray Black Dial
The dial of the Harpoon Revival is where vintage charm meets quirky horological character. Finished in a subtle sunray-brushed black that shifts smoothly in ambient light, the layout breaks standard design conventions.
In lieu of traditional vertical hour markers, the applied nickel-plated indices at 12, 6, and 9 o’clock rest horizontally—a direct inheritance from the 1966 original that gives the watch its quirky visual identity.
“By pairing period-correct 36.8mm proportions with a 68-hour La Joux-Perret automatic movement, Favre Leuba delivers a £1800 vintage revival rich in mid-century charm.”
Positioned above 6 o’clock is the “Harpoon” signature, rendered in a stylised script that serves as an exact replica of the vintage model. Opposite it at 3 o’clock sits a metallic-framed date window that adds functional balance.
The entire display is anchored by a supple black leather strap with 20mm lugs, a signed steel pin buckle, and an integrated quick-release mechanism for effortless tool-free strap changes.
The La Joux-Perret FLD04 Mechanical Heart
While the exterior pays strict homage to 1966, the mechanics inside are thoroughly modern. Beating within the polished steel chassis is the FLD04 automatic calibre, built upon Manufacture La Joux-Perret’s respected G100 architecture.
| Feature Specification | Horological & Architectural Detail |
| Retail Price | £1800 GBP |
| Case Dimensions | 36.8mm Diameter × 10.0mm Thickness (43.5mm Lug-to-Lug) |
| Case Metallurgy | All-Polished Stainless Steel w/ Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal |
| Dial Finish | Sunray-Brushed Black w/ Horizontal Applied Indices |
| Movement Engine | Automatic Calibre FLD04 (La Joux-Perret G100 Platform) |
| Power Reserve & Rate | 68 Hours Power Reserve @ 28,800 vph (4Hz / 26 Jewels) |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM / 50 Metres |
| Strap Hardware | 20mm Black Leather Strap w/ Quick-Release Pins & Pin Buckle |
Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) across 26 jewels, the FLD04 movement delivers a robust 68-hour power reserve. This means you can take the watch off on Friday evening and pick it up on Monday morning without needing to reset the time.
At £1800, the Favre Leuba Harpoon Revival stands as an extraordinary homage to Swiss heritage, proving that faithful historical design and modern mechanical autonomy can coexist in perfect harmony.
