Favre Leuba Bivouac 53203 Mint Condition

A watch with pioneering spirit: the Favre Leuba Bivouac Ref. 53203 from the 1960s is one of the brand's most iconic timepieces and remains a milestone in watchmaking history to this day.

The historic manufacture Favre Leuba, founded in the 18th century and among the oldest watchmakers in the world, earned its reputation in the 1960s and 1970s with spectacular innovations. Under the motto "For those who conquer frontiers" the company created extraordinary instrument watches that embodied the spirit of adventure and discovery. The Bivouac was nothing short of a revolution: the world's first mechanical wristwatch capable of measuring both air pressure and altitude. This made it an indispensable companion for mountaineers, adventurers and pioneers.

The present example is the reference 53203, featuring a silver sunburst dial and black bakelite bezel. The inner scale displays the air pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), while the rotating outer bezel allows altitude to be measured in feet above sea level. Inside beats the hand-wound Peseux caliber 320, ensuring precise timekeeping and forming the technical foundation of this extraordinary combination of timepiece, altimeter and barometer.

What makes this watch particularly remarkable is its outstanding condition – dial, case and hands appear virtually untouched. In addition, it comes with an original Favre Leuba box and an extra bezel for measuring altitude in meters.

The Favre Leuba Bivouac is much more than just a watch: it is a symbol of adventure and technical innovation. In this excellent vintage condition, it ranks among the rare highlights sought after by discerning collectors.

Condition Report
Dial: perfectly preserved – flawless sunburst finish – original luminous material in markers and hands – signed: "Favre Leuba Geneve Bivouac Swiss Made".

Case: 40mm stainless steel case – unpolished – intact lugs – light signs of wear – crisp caseback engravings – original crown – perfectly preserved bakelite bezel – additional bezel in honest condition.

Movement: hand-wound caliber Peseux 320 – timing machine results: rate: -17s/day, amplitude: 227, beat error: 0.1.

Bracelet: original Favre-Leuba stainless steel bracelet – light signs of wear – Favre-Leuba logo on clasp – adjustable length between 18.5 and 20.3 cm.