Right at the end of last year, the French watch brand, Le Forban Sécurité Mer was resurrected some 40 years since the release of its last diver’s model, and 5 decades since its birth in 1969.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK4a8Lexvv4oIgSYk2c_79RByxmTTLJJ43Je9jdKTNjFaSZyJp-nxnEQtRurmY1es4gp4hjFxGnL4kbwS2sVNp3FS1vox9DiIKM29HzJOXG11JTzCrrUvmAlRd0aLEHMJ8-2TNUaxAP0m/s280/Le+FORBAN+S%25C3%25A9curit%25C3%25A9+Mer+MALOUINE+00.jpg)
Looking at the brand’s chronology, you couldn’t really say they were any sort of iconic diver’s brand as they only released 3 diver’s models over an 8yr period:
their debut model in 1969, a second in 1972 and their final diver’s model in 1978. However there were 20 models bearing the Le Forban Sécurité Mer name since 1969.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gDk0Ld66MdyXZT9MBehEGFV9xFfyuQ7sJd_siBd_EBmx-cs1nqE9dTYSAencLbIped0QWwPbYZCTdDYA4MhV5yvtn1PsTZg01lMY7c4gnQWlZsvkmhoBd74TWxoqtSnx4S1GaG-1nFW1/s280/Le+FORBAN+S%25C3%25A9curit%25C3%25A9+Mer+MALOUINE+01.jpg)
These were mainly sold in nautical equipment shops. One of those models, a diver was famous for being one of the rare watches to have equipped the French Navy (just like ZRC’ GF300) as well as the PATMAR (maritime patrols).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXRIfzmOFGb0wji5mK2tUMHE6_yz0q7DGTnPvzV2R69HdHc3UfOsBFGlRKYSB7yX3AzAr3hAhi0xH6X5QMq8h8WjpwSFX8EBTZDqnpCuFhNjfBtvafdXxd-c-roDWnpxwWTycvS4RNijH/s280/Le+FORBAN+S%25C3%25A9curit%25C3%25A9+Mer+MALOUINE+02.jpg)
Le Forban Sécurité Mer has been thoroughly updated as a completely new version known as the Malouine which takes its name from the French coastal town of Saint-Malo.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajtRdDr56CYw6zdkJeOM49LtSCPuUAfSB9EmdiLW-10240SvBGKPzcRz-1scppAXV4qh4OuQ-08Bxfwb2YTyUs3EJisL8V7aBYuruZQfxFFwqk9EN3To1dLtjH-63Otqo5bKW9DmZz5JP/s280/Le+FORBAN+S%25C3%25A9curit%25C3%25A9+Mer+MALOUINE+03.jpg)
The watch which is in 316L Stainless steel has a case diameter of 38.4mm or 39mm with the bezel, a lug to lug length of just 45mm and a thickness of 12.75mm.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialzfPGFQC73Wfhw5BLqqtwpgWiAtCos-Ka12-n5cwm2qRyDgn1iLWZLt5J7KAcA7a7ZBfoqraDtPdLE71mGKJUm3UeL1V2m8CnyzZxIYO4A46tKHSNP1EKi8SNV-e51Z3w9z0SxDm2zPO/s280/Le+FORBAN+S%25C3%25A9curit%25C3%25A9+Mer+MALOUINE+04.jpg)
Diver’s features include: a 120-click unidirectional bezel with aluminum inlay, a domed Sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown and case-back and 200m of water-resistance.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJve2_f_YtDTkqrjQAXCs2v4OqkewZMfoVAwrbRwX5bU3_3ZSYVoAg0gos-GIGxzf1d1CDCPXLpveDSlB4Q7BzSBGtruzy2dUQ7uS0wvqRn-Ye5W1-79SnNUH3qAzF09nK8v3IFLLEaE4/s280/Le+FORBAN+S%25C3%25A9curit%25C3%25A9+Mer+MALOUINE+05.jpg)
Power comes from the rather basic, non-hacking, Japanese made Miyota 8215 mechanical automatic movement.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7t06y6PrG5bWn1NFF8P2ux_81XxkZfS3nxcC7m371kEurLWfnXIC3r7n7QVELaBf15Ex4YIUpZZLiUNsoJBjwgedr2RiCGcvWK3W-xolVgWETLubFXB4kWEbo5HqVbQebei4fPE5NHRyT/s280/Le+FORBAN+S%25C3%25A9curit%25C3%25A9+Mer+MALOUINE+06.jpg)
The Le Forban Sécurité Mer Malouine comes on a 20mm, 100% Silicone Tropic –style strap priced 490euro.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVQnux0vY2raUdy85xbfMqS5ScdeaGqn3k3ORz6hSn3LVpWL-pRDjInJzn44ABrTvsmKXliObEW__KdNCVUcMnZCV9XHucGPT3F6xpxn_AdJl9PvT-KYB6feC-Nu2SW7eCSAiNk3Gn2Ny/s280/Le+FORBAN+S%25C3%25A9curit%25C3%25A9+Mer+MALOUINE+07.jpg)
Thoughts? This is a handsome looking retro diver with a cool back story. The design offers plenty of old school charm, case-back aside.
This is engraved with the ubiquitous diver’s helmet. We all love a deep sea diver’s helmet but perhaps I would have hoped for a wee bit more originality and imagination.
Still it’s not deal breaker by any means and the spec. is okay. Yes, the size is small but do I recognize that sub 40mm is on trend.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mBF56BlU80u1R-DK6t0UQtikZuK8yle3WOnJLOQi3RqyxoPSHOe0pOcNggwMGMcrNUgb_TS1pk9Dn7aYVD2jnytXuaOAkOMYJ9gGIc0ieysQre2AGIhM2u0284KrRjCl9ZFtnWYz2-dX/s280/Le+FORBAN+S%25C3%25A9curit%25C3%25A9+Mer+MALOUINE+08.jpg)
However even if you don’t mind your vintage-inspired, euro diver being Japanese powered, is an 8215 really good enough, today?
What’s wrong with a 9015 or NH35? And is 490euro a realistic price considering? What do you think? Slightly under spec’d and overpriced, no?
![https://leforbansecuritemer.com](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2eFAxBWeQ-FfvMjYxVQTJ6Oz_rmXiBrFXFcsDxq1HrMmK1LC4MwMQCaC-A-e5sr9k7arvuNxKaf8dnHrgULcRcRhgWJDW51r02oTu1vgDcIuvlvP3QGbfj9_7ztrSw6OUg-Xs9-ZFemP/s200/Le+FORBAN+Logo.jpg)
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