The Watch
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The Marine Nationale is the official name of the French Navy, representing one of the oldest and most capable maritime forces in the world. Established in the 17th century by Cardinal Richelieu, it operates as a core branch of the French Armed Forces, tasked with protecting national sovereignty and projecting power globally. It is one of the few elite "blue-water navies," meaning it possesses the logistical strength and advanced fleet necessary to operate continuously across open oceans worldwide without relying on local coastal ports.
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As a cornerstone of European security, the Marine Nationale has responsibilities that range from global anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations to securing France's Exclusive Economic Zone, which is the second-largest in the world. Structurally, it is highly advanced, utilizing a full suite of naval capabilities including nuclear-powered attack and ballistic missile submarines, elite naval commandos, and a carrier strike group led by its flagship nuclear aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.
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The Marine Nationale required specialized wristwatches primarily as critical navigation, tactical synchronization, and life-support tools for their elite combat divers (nageurs de combat) and naval pilots. In an era before digital dive computers, sub-aquatic operations relied heavily on mechanical dive watches to accurately track elapsed dive times and manage decompression stops, which was vital for preventing decompression sickness. Furthermore, because radio silence was strictly enforced during covert operations, precise and highly legible mechanical timepieces were the only way for dispersed teams to synchronize tactical maneuvers, navigation legs, and explosive detonations down to the exact second. In short, for combat divers, a rugged, legible wristwatch was a vital piece of life-support equipment because sub-aquatic operations left absolutely no room for timing errors.
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Today's example is a Monnin Cased Le Forban, Le Forban is a French brand that produced waterproof and specialized diving watches during the 1960s. This particular example has the iconic M.N Issue marks. It is accompanied by a "Yves Pastre Registre" entry, which was the French Navy Watchmaker, stating that it was serviced on March 22nd 1990 and issued to the MN Minesweeper LYRE (M648). It also comes with a Lyre Patch and Postcard. It also has a mark inside the caseback by the M.N Watchmaker, showing a battery change in 1989.
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One thing to note is that the Bezel has been changed on this Watch, as the Original Bezel was quite a fragile design, it's suggested that the M.N swapped it for the present metal one.
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This Watch features in the Marine Nationale book by Watchistry. Page 230/231. See last pics, all credit to Watchistry and their fantastic book.
Age: c.mid-80s.
Reference: Sēcurite Mer.
Movement: Quartz with Centre Seconds & Quickset Date.
Calibre: FE 7120.
Timekeeping: Good.
Service History: Unknown.
Dial: Original Le Forban Tritium Dial.
Case: All Stainless Steel with Screw Caseback.
Measurements: 42mm.
Bezel: Bi-Directional.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Screw down Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: Used Phoenix strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 20mm.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- In Nice Unpolished condition.
- Dial in super order.
- 42mm Monnin Case.
-Deep Military markings to the back.
-"Desirable" Issue Number.
-Yves Pastre Registre entry.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some markings to the Case.
- Bezel has been swapped.
- Crystal is original, it has gone slightly "milky" in certain lights.
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Overall the Le Forban is in nice condition.
The Dial is in superb condition.
Case is in good shape, with some markings.
Caseback markings are nice and deep.
Original Crown.
Original Crystal.
Hands are in lovely shape.
