Le Forban
SNSM PAT-MAR Sécurité Mer - Coast Guard

Military diving watch vintage Le Forban Sécurité Mer with automatic Incabloc movement, multi-faceted steel waterproof case with screw-down caseback. A collectible timepiece once issued to the French sea rescue service SNSM and originally produced to meet the HS2/3 specifications of NATO coastal guard units in 1972. These watches also equipped units of the French Navy aboard Maritime Patrol Vessels (PAT-MAR) during the 1970s and 1980s.

Powered by a reliable and precise movement: ETA 2824 caliber, 17 jewels, Incabloc shock protection, with a date window at 3 o’clock, operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour. This diving watch features a bi-directional rotating bezel graduated over 60 minutes and a high-visibility orange dial. Twelve central baton hour markers coated with Tritium adorn the dial. The date window, outlined in fluorescent orange, allows visual superposition to interpret wave direction on the horizon. Its atypical and robust case shape is designed for intensive use, with reinforced shoulders and generous dimensions to protect the crown against shocks in rough seas.

From a collector’s perspective, this 1972 vintage watch boasts many noteworthy features: a distinctive shape and bold color, a high-grade original Swiss movement used in many luxury watches, and a multi-layered steel case with shock resistance far exceeding the standard expectations of the time. Lastly, the dial’s horizontal fluorescent marker, required by NATO naval forces specifications, adds unique historical interest to this increasingly rare watch on the market. Oval in shape, typical of 1970s design, this diving watch was originally created for SAR (Search & Rescue) services like CROSS and various coast guard organizations. This collectible piece stands as a strong entry point into the world of vintage marine-themed watches.

You’ll find more details and various historical anecdotes about watch brands and manufacturers on our "Watch History" page.