Introduced in 1737, Favre Leuba holds the title of being the second-oldest watch brand, though what connects us in India to the brand more is that it was the first Swiss watch brand to enter the country in 1865, with an office in Bombay and its products selling across British India – read more about the history of the brand here. Dormant for several years, Favre Leuba made a massive comeback with the release of 22 timepieces across three new lines – Chief (land), Deep Blue (sea), and Sea Sky (air) – last year at Geneva Watch Days. Helming this resurrection was industry veteran, Patrik Hoffmann, who has previously served as the CEO of Ulysse Nardin, and Executive Vice President of Watchbox.
The release included seven iterations in the Deep Blue line, including a Deep Blue Revival (Ref. 00.20307.100.06.200), a faithful recreation of the original 1964 Deep Blue. There was also the Deep Blue Renaissance, inspired by the 1964 Deep Blue, that is the cover of our current Sports Watches issue (subscribe here). The Sea Sky line comprised three chronographs inspired by the original created in 1970, and the Chief collection included 12 unique, cushion-shaped watches featuring date and chronograph versions.
We caught up with Hoffmann, who was in India recently, for a quick-fire round on the kind of watches he loves.
WatchTime India: What watch is on your wrist right now, and define it in one word?
Patrik Hoffmann: I am wearing a Favre Leuba Chief and it represents the future.
WTI: Which was the first watch you bought for yourself?
PH: The first watch I bought for myself was a Ulysse Nardin. The first watch I received as a gift was an Oris.
WTI: If you could only wear one watch for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
PH: I would not wear a watch at all.
WTI: What is the first thing you notice in a watch before buying it?
PH: Its dial
WTI: Your preferred dial size?
PH: 40mm
WTI: Dial colour?
PH: Black
WTI: Leather strap or bracelet?
PH: Leather strap
WTI: Vintage designs or modern?
PH: Modern
WTI: Complications or minimal dial?
PH: Minimal
WTI: A watch you wish you owned.
PH: Ulysse Nardin Genghis Khan
Also Read: An insightful interview with Rolex Testimonees, golfers Jeev Milkha Singh and Anirban Lahiri
WTI: A watch you wish you had a role in creating.
PH: The thinnest timepiece.
WTI: A Favre Leuba watch you recommend
PH: Any watch
WTI: Favre Leuba watches are….
PH: The future
Pick up WatchTime India’s Sports Issue 2024 from your nearest newsstand, to read in-depth Favre Leuba’s history and watches.
Images: Courtesy Favre Leuba
