French Diver Watches: Queens of the Deep

Since they first emerged in the 1950s, diving watches have become icons of watchmaking, fusing robust performance with refined style and functionality. Originally designed for professional divers with an urge to explore the ocean depths, their distinctive design and unfailing reliability soon caught the eye of fine-watch enthusiasts. Today, these timepieces are as coveted as ever, with French watch brands pushing the boundaries of innovation in their quest to perfect them.

Welcome to the fascinating world of marine horology.

Watches forged by the deep

Diving watch - Le Forban Sécurité Mer- La Malouine

The maritime heritage of Le Forban diving watches

Created in 1969, the brand Le Forban Sécurité Mer creates diving watches that stay true to the spirit of their vintage predecessors. One of the rare brands whose timepieces were once worn by the French Navy and maritime patrols, Le Forban is now breathing new life into that legacy.

One of its signature creations is La Malouine. Its neo-retro design is inspired by the legendary diving watches of the 1960s, and the case features an engraved diving helmet as a nod to the pioneers of underwater exploration. Its navy-blue dial, protected by a sapphire crystal dome, catches the light with shifting reflections as the wrist moves. Engineered to withstand the elements, La Malouine is equipped with a screw-down crown, a 120-click unidirectional bezel, and water resistance to 150 metres, ensuring performance both underwater and in daily life. Day or night, its display remains perfectly legible thanks to Super-Luminova® C3, the brightest on the market.

An essential timepiece for diving watch aficionados seeking authenticity.

Grandval Paris, inspired by the big blue

Founded in 2019, Grandval Paris draws inspiration from the golden age of 1960’s and 70’s watch design.

Among its standout creations, the Atlantique Diver Abyss epitomises the meeting point between heritage and modernity. At first glance, its smoked-effect sandwich dial captivates with a hypnotic interplay of light and depth, an aesthetic feat that evokes the mysteries of the ocean floor. But it’s not just a pretty face: the robust case, automatic movement and water resistance make this diver’s watch as reliable as it is refined.

Crafted for lovers of authentic sport-chic watches, the Atlantique Diver Abyss stands out in the world of diving timepieces.

sport chic watch - Atlantique Diver Abyss - Grandval Paris

Masters of the abyss

Diving watch - HD9 Atlantic - Humbert-Droz

Humbert-Droz scuba diving watches

For four generations, Humbert-Droz has been designing watches for modern explorers. With the HD9 Atlantic, the French brand unveils a high-performance diving watch built for the most extreme underwater adventures – and a tribute to the ocean itself.

Fitted with a G100 automatic movement, it offers an impressive 68-hour power reserve. Water-resistant to 200 metres, its case is topped with an ultra-resistant sapphire crystal for flawless readability in all situations. Luminous hands ensure intuitive time reading, even in low visibility. Every detail is a reminder of the undersea world, from the dial’s dark reflections to the oscillating weight adorned with a diver motif.

This is more than a watch. It is an automatic diving timepiece that invites you to test your limits.

Timepieces from the deep by Yema

A cornerstone of French watchmaking, Yema introduces the Superman Gilt CMM.10, a diving watch that fuses neo-vintage style with cutting-edge performance.

Fitted with the in-house calibre CMM.10, it has a 70-hour power reserve and water resistance down to 300 metres – professional grade specifications. Its semi-gloss sunburst dial and gilt hour markers offer optimal legibility, whether in full daylight or complete darkness, thanks to its Super-Luminova Grade A coating. The sapphire bezel, with its mirror-like finish and meticulous detailing, raises the bar for quality in this category.

A watch for modern-day adventurers, explorers of the deep, or connoisseurs of fine mechanics.

diving watch - Superman Gilt CMM.10 - Yema

As heirs to a time when underwater expeditions were both a technological and a human feat, diving watches are symbols of exploration. Today, these legendary timepieces continue to honour that spirit, blending innovation with a deep respect for traditional watchmaking codes. Whether through refined minimalism or exceptional craftsmanship, French brands are redefining the diving watch with bold creativity. At the intersection between retro elegance and cutting-edge tech, the diver’s watch reigns supreme as the ultimate timepiece for the underwater world.