The Hottest $500 38mm Automatic Diver? Le Forban Malouine Watch Review
Vložit
- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- Today I share an extra special review - a triple debut on The Urban Gentry featuring a new watch, from a brand I've never before reviewed, from a country I've never covered on the channel.
We'll take an exciting first look at the new Malouine, a $500 automatic diver from French watchmaker Le Forban Sécurité Mer, the sister brand to the prestigious Triton dive watchmaker. Both brands have been famously supplied to the Marine Nationale and the French Army. So, join me for an in-depth look and world exclusive review of this charming vintage inspired 38mm beauty!
To get $100 off $1000+ and then $250 off $2500+ on your next luxury watch, use the code "URBANGENTRY" at:
www.thewatchbo...
To find out more information or to purchase the watch reviewed, click here:
leforbansecuri...
To enter the WatchBox Tudor Black Bay Bronze sweepstakes, please visit the exclusive Urban Gentry link below and follow the instructions:
swee.ps/ZFjogCcpe
Check out The Urban Gentry Amazon page here for items featured in my videos. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.:
www.amazon.com...
To get your watch or Gentry related questions answered and engage with some of the community beyond CZcams, join us on Facebook: / 1503241666636531
To follow the official Urban Gentry Instagram click here: / theurbangentrychannel
Thank you for watching The Urban Gentry channel, home of the #wristwatchcheck ! Check out my other videos for more watch and lifestyle content.
The intro just screams quality and dedication thank you TGV best regards to you and the viewers of the urban gentry
Thank you William, you are a true gent for taking the time to say that.
Onwards and upwards!
Best regards,
TGV
I wish a no date option was available. With a 3 the symmetry would be perfect.
Definitely, the date function can be very useful but it's overkill on certain watches. If they would have a no date option I would buy it in a heartbeat
Did we not agree that no one use dive watches for diving :) I use these designs as GADA watches or on vacation. So nowadays a date is very welcome on so called dive watches.
Love nodates
For me a date is a must. I wouldnt be able to keep track of the days otherwise.
Not gonna lie, I almost exclusively use my watch for the date
Just had to say I appreciate the added touches you incorporate in your reviews. From the intros that "set the tone" to the brand histories it provides something no other watch reviews offer. I like how you compare the current product with photos of the brand's previous offerings. I think they got a lot of things right on this one and I agree it will be interesting to see where they take it.
As much as I admire Seiko and their divers, watches like this are a real joy to see. Vintage inspired watches are among the best to me from a design standpoint, and one which stays true to the era with a more restrained size is even better.
I love the look and size. I would get this now if it had a 9039, large crown w/o guards and drilled lugs.
Interesting combination. I can see blancpain fifty phantoms like dial, Glashütte specialists arrow hands, and even Ulysse Nardin logo... love the case back, would be even better if it’s high polished. Good value for money in my opinion, as long as you don’t mind the movement too much. A refreshing choice in this Seiko dominated price range.
After watching the Top Gun 2 trailer about a million times, this intro was perfectly timed. Love it
Great review. I’d like to see you cover more micro-brands. I feel like the affordable end is really your sweet spot; tell us about what we might not already know, rather than tell us about another Rolex / AP that we can read about anywhere and we’re never going to buy. Would be interested to hear your take on how does this watch stack up to the Baltic Aquascaphe, Yema Superman or Navygraph, or even the Horloscaphe watch (which is quartz, but seems to be a looker, and no reviews out there...). Whatever it is, wear it in good health!
I've had mine for a few weeks, put it on a Marine Nationale strap which seems appropriate and looks the business. Currently running at +4 seconds per day.
I've said it several times before: Your intros are the best!
Enfin ! Tu parles de montres Française Tristano ! go down the rabbit hole, there are way more nice french brands out there. I've had my eye on the triton subphotique for a while, it is just so damn expensive ... one day, one day :) In the meantime this one seems nice
Please review the Yema Spacegraf
@@floturon7904 And the Horloscaphe!
Aha on est un petit peu représenté quand même !!
Thanks for your amazing work TGV !
I was with you until you said 8215... For the price I would have expected something a little better.
ETA 2824 would be my choice for this watch.
At least use a Sellita...
Same feeling. Although they’re fine movements, don’t get me wrong. I would have at least likes to have seen a 9015 here. They’re not high grade or as consistent as eta, in my experience. I think this design warrants the Swiss movement, even if the price was more.
Agreed. Lost me early with a “tinny” bezel with some back play. At this price that is not ok, buy a Seiko.
The made in Paris cost money i guess
That's a seriously good looking Seiko diver alternative! I totally agree with you that it is a shame Le Forban didn't use a hacking movement. If there was a hacking no date option, I definitely would have found myself struggling not to buy one.
Great review, looking forward to the next one.
Regards,
Koen
The seconds hand does not need to be 'hacked' because it is not a timer- for that you buy a chronograph. It only needs to show that the watch is in fact running, there is no technical requirement for it to hack. Even Patek knows this with some of their watches. Forget the hacking and buy it for what it is- a beautiful watch with strong French provenance!
Yeah so much effort to design a gorgeous watch and they destroy it with a non hacking movement. I'd prefer no date too.
Watchbox needs to open here in the UK - with TGV as their regional governor! 😎
OMG, that would be amazing!
Thank you Jay :D
Best regards,
TGV
I think that is a stunning watch. I love it. Great video. I always love learning about watches and companies, especially those with history and significance, that I have never heard of before, so please keep these types of videos coming. Much thanks, TGV.
Yup....I´m afraid that the movement would be a deal breaker for me too.
This is top notch material. Thank you for inspiring me to be a better version of myself everyday.
Hearing that makes it all worth it!
Thank you Rui,
Best regards,
TGV
Great video. Such high quality content and editing you really can tell the effort put in into the video.
Thank you my fiend, I deeply appreciate that.
Onwards and upwards!
Best regards,
TGV
Am I the only one who thinks that that looks a bit like a reduced Fifty- Fathoms.
No, you are not :-)
No, there are very, very, strong over tones of Fifth Fathoms. It has elegant simplicity, but unfortunately bordering on the mundane.
You look a bit like a reduced fifty fathoms
Exactly what I thought. It’s an homage ripoff
Surely does look like a smaller brother of the Blancpain, but good to know that it's actually based off the original's brand's design back in 60-70', very interesting
I enjoy learning about new watches in this price range from your reviews. They enable me to enjoy a watch collection, rather than just a watch!
Your intro's allways amazes me along with everything else. But your intro's are, by far, the best I've ever seen!
500 euros for a watch with a miota 8000 series movement?? Are they nuts!?
Sadly they can't design/manufacture/sell them for free.
But I agree, the movement could be better.
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
Me: Tells myself no more wasting money on watches
Also me: Buys the La Malouine while watching this video
cmatz175 where can you buy this online?
@@TbonesTech there's a link to the company web page on the video description.
You could have gone for Yema Superman or Le Jour Vintage diver with better specs.
I was just about to do the same. Thanks for the warning of the video: it does not hack, that's enough to turn me off. But it is a very beautiful piece, in a non-ridiculous size. Though I don't have tiny wrists, I'm fed up with all these oversize watches. /Oskar
😆😆😆
Great intro Sir, kinda reminded me of the Stowa dive intro. Such a refreshing review of a great looking dive watch, hopefully Le Forban continues make solid looking watches. TGV thank you for doing what you do, your a true professional 😊👍🇮🇹
Grazie David!
YESSSSS!!! The Stowa, having reviewed one, I can't believe I didn't see it!!!!
You know your watches so well,
Thank you as always for the great comment, enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Best regards,
TGV
I find the blue version absolutely mesmerizing - a real beauty. Excellent review.
I was ready to order this watch until you said it is non-hacking. If they change that I am a buyer. And a no-date option would be nice.
Hackable is a nice feature I suppose but you don't really need it and you shouldn't let it stop you from buying a watch you like. Are you running secret missions where you need to synchronize your watches?
Don’t understand that? After a day it’ll be off sync. I have tons of watches so I’d be switching everyday or few
Can you explain to me why hacking is that important to YOU? For one it’s a miyota 8000 series. It’s not a COSC certified movement so it’s not going to have amazing accuracy. I would really like to know why some people let hat type of function determine if they buy a watch or not.
Thanks
For the $500 or less go for the Glycine Combat or a Steinhart (eta).
@@steveroberts619 Well...if I disclosed that here then they wouldn't be secret... :-).
Good evening TGV, I was eying just recently towards the La Forban. Great these chaps resurected this btand and its heritage. I like the vintage looks and the vintage design elements. 38.5mm is a very sweet spot for a vintage inspired watch. Have a great evening!
Haha, how serendipitous!
I could not agree more about the size, thank you my friend, have a great rest of the weekend!
Best regards,
TGV
I bought this beautiful watch yesterday (03/02/2023); The current model has a HACKING MOVEMENT!
Born and raised in Jersey. My parish, St Clement, uses the Anchor as it's Coat of Arms and St Malo is less than an hour away on the ferry. We'd hop there on short day trips simply to have a nice lunch. This brand has a few ways to resonate with me...
Just saw the Intro - was already checking the price 😍 TGV I admire your intros so much!
Fantastic review as usual. The intro gave me goosebumps. I did not love the watch. How could they put a $30 Miyota 8215 movement in a $500 watch? This movement basically the cheapest and worst movement ever made . It is like putting a 20yr old Dodge Neon engine in a new, higher end car. Perfect example of greed. For a few dollars($5) difference they could have used a Seiko NH35 which is a much better movement . Even then this watch would not worth more than $300.
Really. They could just raise the price up $5-$15. That small of an increase isn't going to turn people off. And if it did, it'd be far less than the movement has already lol.
OMGoodness, she's GLORIOUS!
I need 1!
Thank you for introducing us, my French ancestry truly aprreciates the introduction!
I've got a gut feeling we'll see more of them, pretty good value proposition, great design aesthetics, throw in an ETA, precious metal inserts, indices, ceramic bezel, boom you have it though not for $500))
Agreed. It also requires a larger crown and larger crown guards. The blue sunburst dial is very promising. Even a Sellita movement would be acceptable. Sans complication would be preferable, imo, and would permit the inclusion of an indicator at 3 o'clock.
IMO, if they aim slightly up market with these upgrades, then they will have a hot commodity in the $800-900 range.
Hello TGV,
I am pleased that you are showing a resurrected French brand. Many French brands are unfortunately clearly undervalued these days, I think.
The Malouine is a typical French diving watch. It has all the design features that are often found on French diving watches from the 60s and 70s, as if there were the outer shape of the case with the typical little crown guards and the relatively small crown, the flat bezel with the typical kind of the corrugation, the domed glass with the striking Rounding on the edge and the typical hand set with the minute arrow and the lume just before the tip of the second hand. Such a diving watch design existed and still exists from different french brands, for example Yema or Michel Herbelin.
Anyone presenting a French diving watch should also present a French pilot's watch. 🤗
Dodane, for example, is known for pilot's watches and on-board instruments and has a long history and tradition as a watch brand. Or the legendary Yema Superman, which was designed as a diving watch and was used by the French Air Force as a pilot's watch.
greetings
René
$500 is a reasonable target for reviews in that for some it may represent as high as they are willing to go, for others a comfortable spot to satisfy a whim or fill a spot in the collection.
Hello from Korea! It''s nice to see a brand with lineage and history revived once again. Please do introduce more of these brands!
Just an update to my order, chased them up yesterday and they apologised for the delay, but apparently they were saturated with orders after this video came out! good work fella!
Not everyone's taste with the movement but I've just managed to pick one up and I can't wait for it to arrive! Buy watches for yourself not for others!
TGV, I just received the Flightmaster SNA411 and all I can say is WOW. It is much better looking in person, I love the style and sharpness of the dial. Videos/pictures do not do this watch justice. Only bad thing is the lugs/spring bar location. Definitely not a deal breaker very happy with the purchase. Next watch I'm buying is maybe a Dan Henry panda chrono.
INTROS ARE SUPERB AND HUGELY APPRECIATED- GORGEOUS WATCH-THANKS URBAN GENTRY
What an intro (as usual) .... As French, it gave me chills !
And continue to dive into French diving watches.
Congratulations TGV,
Regards.
I love these videos that shows the underdogs of the watch industry.
I feel this is actually a nice piece for the price. Tristano, how do you feel about Michel Herbelin timepieces?
Thanks again TGV 👍🏽
I love these micro bands that you introduce to us 👌🏽
I’m a fan of some of these brands as I feel the dedication, hard work and value for money some of them put in is amazing!
I would like to see more videos like this up to £500 mark.
Also maybe sometimes a £500 watch that also could potentially retain its value or even become a collectors piece.
Salam 👍🏽
Very nice intro video and a great review! I love it TGV that you bring in new brands every month you have never reviewed before. Can't wait for the next one!
Yema Superman should certainly find place on your superb channel! Glad you ventured into french horology, excellent review.
Awesome review TGV. It's because of your videos I bought myself a Lorier. Can't wait to see more.
I checked it out on there website. The blue dial with blue strap is gorgeous. I'm getting it. Thanks great vid as always
That case back!
I LOVE box crystals, and the size is great.
Just need to ditch the date window :)
Watchbox made a genius move by adding you to the team!
Definitely would like more reviews under $500. Beautiful watch. I think it is totally a dress watch with a diver theme, which is OK with me. I would love to see it in a 40mm or even a 42mm. Great review, love the intro. Thanks TGV.SEIKO IS KING!!!
I know I came here for watches but I must compliment that movie poster. One of my all time favorite movies!
what a lovely peace! and thank you for a nice presentation of this Brand! i probably need to look further in to this brand! so once again, thank you!
Le Forban should use your intro as their official ads. they are tastefully done. Bravo!
The Baltic AQUASCAPHE has the MIYOTA 9039 movement,and is also made in France the Baltic Three hand which I own is a very reliable.The Le Forban Malouine looks and sounds to be a very good and relivable watch it is also quite beautiful,thank you for your review and bringing this brand to our attention.
Hi TGV
A fine diver it seems. I would consider it a “dress diver” by today’s standards. But to be honest, how many watch wearers do really go diving? Nevertheless it does seem capable if you really want to use it for that purpose...
Like the simplicity of the design, quite elegant. The case design reminds me a little of Sinn watches but that’s surely not a bad thing. Most of all I like the dimensions. You seldom find a diver this size, my sweet spot. Either they’re too big, way over 40mm - or they’re so called “midsize” 36mm, which is almost too small for a diver. Quite interesting little diving watch indeed.
Keep up the good work👍
How many people who go diving use a watch instead of a dive computer?
Andy Rohrer no one, they use both. The computer would be their main tool and have a watch for back up
I like the point you made about hacking seconds, in flight school we would get grief if our watches were off by more than three seconds. The movement is definitely slightly of a disappointment, but it does look like a beautiful watch overall. The design is like a fifty fathoms for the common man
love the looks , love the price , great video ! and editing! love the detail around the date , the silver accent!
This ticks all the boxes for me, will definitely consider for my next purchase. Thanks for continuing to introduce some really interesting brands
Nice review , it's always great to see divers of yesteryear rebooting and still have that same vintage look . Thanks !
I like how you described the lugs as 'confident.' Great description!
Whao. Never expected to see my beloved city of Saint-Malo featured on a US channel. Great. One point : the St Malo gentlemen you mentioned, TGV, were not pirates, but corsaires, working for the King.
Very nice. I would love to see more reviews of French watches from you in the near future. It reminds me of a Blancpain, but would also like to see this offered in a 41 or 42 mm size, for those of us with larger wrists. But at 38.5 mm, would be a splendid fit for Hugo, to be sure
You should create a compilation of all your intros.
I used to do that on the channel anniversary, I will do it again in May.
Thank you, great idea to do it again,
Best regards,
TGV
Alias Anybody or just for laughs, only Hugo!
Hugo needs his own biopic
TGV's intros are epic! History, drama, and intense emotion in every one!
He should spend some of that intro time on figuring out how to express his passion for the watches instead of more time on the intros. I mean seriously the watch has a horrid movement and he would never wear it anyway. Recommend that you stop forcing it.
That is quite a nice looking watch! Undersized crown for me is a deal breaker....and that no hack thing. Otherwise, I would be buying one today! I love everything else about it. Thanks for showing this!
Lol if this video had come out sooner, it would've given me another headache. Literally yesterday my order for the Squale 20 Atmos Heritage arrived. The price range of these watches are on the same ball park and the 38mm size would've seriously made the Forban a top contender!
TGV's intros knock it out of the park. I love the curved crystal and the clean design on the Le Forban.
Lovely watch. And yes, I'm absolutely interested in more watches at this price point, particularly divers.
Looks great on a NATO for sure! It's a very nicely styled watch, but I too wish they went for a Miyota 90xx series movement. Those are far superior in almost every way. Definitely keep reviewing watches in this price range TGV. The 'duck tales money' features from Watchbox are fun, but these are also essential I think.
Great review, thank you very much and
what a marvellous timepiece
That is a very good looking watch but it seems everyone thinks the movement chosen is a bit weak. I wouldn't claim to know enough about watches to judge. But it is a very good looking watch. Also, as usual, a very good looking video. Please yes for more reviews on watches in the more affordable under $ 500. range.
Offers nothing new, yet is a very pretty watch nonetheless and seems to've been well executed.
A little pricier, the Unimatic U1-FM is a real favourite of mine at the moment. The pared down minimalist aesthetic really brings something fresh to the genre.
Hi Tristano! I would like to advise you a new italian brand based in Florence! They are called HTD and have just presented their first collection of vintage inspired chronographs. They use a Seagull ST19 movement revised in Florence and they are really beautiful and valid. Take a tour on their site if you like. In my opinion they really deserve all the best. I just ordered one.
Congratulations for your wonderful work!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I absolutely LOVE the dimensions of this watch! Really wish there were more options for watches this size (not only in diameter but also lug to lug)
Great review ! Would like to see more french brands
Love the look of the dial.
Amazing intro to this video!
Yes TGV, more +500 timepieces.
Inflation and demand seem to have
moved the needle upwards
unfortunately.
Thanks again for an honest review!
I'm not really a fan of divers, but this watch somehow mesmerizes me. Might need to keep this one in mind when deciding on which watch to buy next.
Beautiful watch. I am new to this channel and the watch world. Would love to see other watches reviewed in the same price range.
Beautiful watch and it will fit in perfectly with my Baltic and Lorier watches. And yes, would love more reviews about watches priced between $500 and $1500.
Great video as usual, hope 2020 is going your way! All the Best.
That intro, i was getting comfy waiting for the film 🤣. Beautiful piece loving that domed case, although slightly to small for my preferred size being 41m and would of looked more capturing with no date keeping things simple. Just my view but great seeing you put something new out in the watch world always expanding our knowledge. 👍
Great work TGV. Love the intro again. The watch is really nice, reminds me of the heritage Longines diver. Have you bought your new Navitimer yet? Go for the Sinn
Good job as always TGV! And I might just discovered another watch I need in my collection so thanks a lot... :D
Great piece, and a solid YES to more reviews of watches in this process range. As far as the watch reviewed here,, I'd say the only one of the mentioned shortcomings that bothers me is the lack of hacking in the movement; I agree that given the watch's pedigree, this is a notable omission.
Sharp looking watch. Like the pie pan crystal. The very few negative points wouldn’t stop me from buying it. I would be happy with it.
That’s a seriously nice looking watch. I don’t mind the non-hacking. I’m former military and never really needed that feature in a watch for actual operational use. The fact that the Miyota is cheap to service or replace, makes all the other features of this watch totally worth it. I would like to have seen drilled lugs however. I may have to save up for this one. I currently wear a Turtle and Devil Diver in rotation, so it would be nice to add this.
I hope that insanely detailed caseback has sound proof insulation on the inside! Miyota 8215 movement..... Bahahhahaaha'
Such a pity they didn't at least give it a 9000 series.
Guys, is this movement that bad ? Why ?
@@warszcau It is not terrible but honestly seems too poor for the price range. No hacking and winding, not very accurate and pretty loud rotor noise. It will last ok so if you don't care about those things, no problem. It might be the lowest grade Japanese movement but at least Japanese.
Mine's currently running at +4 seconds per day. Not bad for a 'cheap' movement!
nauticski Luck of the draw. Some are very accurate but many are not
Love the 500 and below watch reviews.
Excellent video, two thumbs way up. I will be buying this watch today- it ticks off all the boxes. Thank you for making this video.
The dial markers look like they are aligned nicely. Unlike my Seiko SRPD51...
Great video. I can’t be critical TGV as your knowledge and work is light years from what I know or do. That said, let’s not forget, the brand is relaunching and trying to be reborn like the Phoenix. They probably opted for this 8215 to keep cost very low and bring back customers to a company which was basically dead and all gone. FYI, Today they are actually launching their 2nd watch, « La brestoise ». Same spec as La Malouine, just a slightly different dial I feel. In 2021 they will launch a watch with the série 3, most probably the 3039. People will then complain about cost I am afraid... Let’s give them the chance to relaunch, rebuild their customer base and then I am convinced they will have creation having much much better movements. Until then let’s agree that under $500 this watch with a military French history is unbelievable and offer a lot even without hacking (which many people would not know what it is without you talking about it) or a miyota 8215. I am not an employee or paid by them, I am just happy they are back in business with a superb product for the price, hacking or not. Bon vent Le Forban and Vive la France. Continue the great work TGV, you make CZcams a treasure. Stay safe.
Nice assessment but budget wise for a diver, i prefer vostok amphibia scuba dude.
I am new to horology and to this channel. Having viewed my first half a dozen videos, right away I’m really encouraged to build a collection of sub £1k pieces, and its quickly becoming an obsession. The wish-list changes daily! Thank you Sir for the guidance and inspiration..
I am deeply, deeply honored.
THANK YOU! It is comments like yours that keep me going.
Onwards and upwards,
Best regards,
TGV
hey new fan here, I have a question:
I found a pretty good watch in my fathers stuff i think.
it is a victorinox infantry with a milanaise bracelet. the internet does not know much about it. do you know something about it. are victorinox watches as good as their pocket knives?
I would keep it :)
Very Blancpain and a little Oris. Beautiful dome crystal and the thin bezel is amazing . Lovely
Had the pleasure of visiting St Malo during the summer. What a beautiful place. It was mostly rebuilt after WW2. A gentleman was telling us that Dinan, nearby, is still mostly intact after WW2 and worth a visit. Unfortunately time restricted us from visiting Dinan. Biggest regret, not purchasing a LIP watch whilst in France.
What a wonderful place to spend a summer, glad you got to enjoy and see some of it too.
Thank you for sharing that.
Best regards,
TGV
@@theurbangentry Wow! That was a quick reply. And I feel honoured to receive a reply from TGV himself. Jóusàhn., Ni Hao and G'day from Hong Kong.
Hello TGV please yes continue reviewing watches in this price range .. specially dive watch like Giugiaro dive watches ;-)
Interesting and well executed review! Keep them coming. No commercials in the middle of videos, please.
Just realized I have an issue with thin bezels same reason why I can't really like the Timex Navi. Another great review and the watch does have some very nice details but that thin bezel on a diver doesn't do it for me. I would prefer the dimensions as the classic one on with the bigger crown you showed.