The Le Forban Marseillaise is a dive watch with a unique twist: a rubber Bund strap, which might just be a first in the world of diving watches. This novel take on the dive watch is designed by Eddy Burgener, the same Swiss-based creator responsible for the original TAG Heuer Formula 1, among others. The watch carries significant credibility, and its design leans into established dive-watch codes. The Marseillaise confidently rocks a rubber Bund strap, which is a comfortable, robust, and patterned FKM rubber that raises the watch a few millimeters on the wrist. The strap features a round cutout to display the logo and is asymmetrically shaped to accommodate the crown guards on the right side. The watch is priced at EUR 940 on the dive Bund and EUR 990 on a steel three-link bracelet. The Le Forban brand dates back to 1969 and was revived by Jean-Sebastien Coste and a partner in 2019. The Marseillaise faces plenty of competition from other micro brands offering similar features and quality, but its advantage seems to be its genuine French dive-watch heritage. The 'Dive Bund' is a wild concept to think that no one was really making a rubber Bund before this. It's an unusual case of leaning into nostalgia for a product that historically didn't really exist. If you just want the rubber Bund strap without the Marseillaise watch, Le Forban sells the 'Dive Bund' for 99 euros on its website.
