Military watch Le Forban Sécurité Mer Omaha
Starting from 1.690 €The Le Forban Sécurité Mer Omaha is a French military chronograph conceived as a direct tribute to the Allied landings in Normandy in 1944, notably Omaha Beach. Inspired by 1940s timepieces, the Omaha combines a 39 mm 316L stainless steel case with a notched unidirectional bezel featuring an aluminium insert and a domed box sapphire crystal for a distinctly vintage look. Its sunburst dial—available in standard black or a limited khaki green—echoes military chronographs with gold subdials, syringe hands and Super‑Luminova Old Radium luminescence. Powered by a Seiko NE86 automatic chronograph movement, the Omaha pairs horological substance with everyday comfort and a strong military identity.
Military watch — Le Forban Sécurité Mer Omaha
Le Forban Sécurité Mer is among the few French watchmakers with historical ties to naval and military instruments; relaunched in 2019, the brand revisits that heritage through neo‑vintage, robust designs. The Omaha is the brand’s first full mechanical chronograph in this revival, imagined as a symbolic instrument for the 80th anniversary of D‑Day. The watch follows 1940s chronograph codes: compact case proportions, large numerals, contrasting subdials and aged‑tone luminescence. The standard black dial echoes issued chronographs, while the khaki green edition—limited to 44 pieces—reinforces the commemorative intent. Technically, the Omaha relies on the Seiko NE86, a column‑wheel automatic chronograph running at 28,800 vph with an approx. 42‑hour power reserve. The relatively slim movement helps keep the case profile compact: 11.8 mm thickness excluding the crystal. With a 39 mm diameter and a 46 mm lug‑to‑lug length, the watch balances presence and wearability. Its rated water resistance of 150 m / 15 ATM places the Omaha above simple field chronographs and closer to recreational dive capability while preserving its military character.
Technical Specifications – Le Forban Sécurité Mer Omaha
- Brand: Le Forban Sécurité Mer
- Model: Omaha
- Indicative price: Starting from €1,690
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Seiko NE86
- Diameter: 39 mm
- Thickness: 13.9 mm
- Water resistance: 150 m / 15 ATM
- Materials: 316L stainless steel
- Crystal: Domed box sapphire crystal
- Dial: Sunburst black or khaki green
- Strap: Patinated calf leather
- Warranty: 2 years
- Package contents: Watch, documents, warranty
The watch in detail
The Omaha adapts the most recognizable signifiers of historic military chronographs into a modern, usable package. The 316L stainless steel case measures 39 mm across, 46 mm lug‑to‑lug and 13.9 mm thick overall (11.8 mm without the crystal), ensuring broad wrist compatibility without losing visual impact. Case curves are worked for comfort, consistent with Le Forban’s reputation for wearable, tool‑oriented watches. The unidirectional notched bezel with an aluminium insert and Old Radium‑tone lume gives a practical, instrument feel while preserving the vintage language. The double‑dome sapphire box crystal reinforces the retro silhouette and provides strong scratch resistance.
The dial is a highlight: sunburst finish in either black or khaki green, gold subdials for contrast, bold period‑style numerals and painted markers topped with Super‑Luminova Old Radium for night legibility. Syringe‑style polished gold hands carry lume as well, completing the military aesthetic. With a 150 m rating, the Omaha moves beyond a purely commemorative field chronograph to a versatile, water‑capable instrument suited for everyday wear and recreational aquatic use.
Omaha — two variants for history enthusiasts
Mechanically, the Omaha is driven by the Seiko NE86, a column‑wheel automatic chronograph known for a compact vertical profile and reliable operation. Running at 28,800 vph and with a movement thickness near 7.6 mm, the NE86 allows a relatively slim case for a chronograph and delivers about 42 hours of autonomy. It supplies hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph and hacking/stop‑seconds, giving clear functional value to the model.
The standard Omaha (black dial) is the regular production piece, priced around €1,690 and fitted with a patinated calf leather strap. The khaki green Omaha is a strictly limited edition (44 pieces), features the same technical specification but a khaki sunburst dial and aged leather strap, and is positioned at roughly €1,944 — intended for collectors attracted by low production numbers and strong symbolism. In both variants the combination of a 150 m water resistance, automatic column‑wheel chronograph and pronounced 1940s styling yields a watch that sits between instrument and collectible.
Omaha — commemorative chronograph with 150 m
The Le Forban Sécurité Mer Omaha is a military chronograph conceived as a powerful tribute to the soldiers who landed on Omaha Beach. Its 39 mm 316L stainless steel case, unidirectional notched bezel with aluminium insert and domed box sapphire crystal give it a vintage look typical of 1940s chronographs. The sunburst dial, available in black or khaki green, follows the same aesthetic with gold subdials, oversized numerals and carefully measured Old Radium luminescence. Beneath the dial, the Seiko NE86 with column wheel brings real mechanical depth, combining 28,800 vph and an approximate 42-hour power reserve. The 150 m / 15 ATM water resistance makes the Omaha a chronograph capable of moving from symbolic battlefield inspiration to recreational nautical environments, in line with Le Forban Sécurité Mer’s DNA. Between the standard black version and the green edition limited to 44 pieces, this model stands out as a premium, commemorative and technically accomplished tool watch.
Movement
The Le Forban Sécurité Mer Omaha is powered by the Seiko NE86 caliber, a mechanical automatic chronograph movement distinguished by its column wheel and slim profile. It runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, which ensures good rate stability and smooth chronograph action. Its thickness of approximately 7.6 mm makes it possible to keep the case thickness limited to 11.8 mm excluding the crystal, which is impressive for an automatic chronograph. The approximately 42-hour power reserve allows the watch to be left off the wrist for a day without needing to be reset immediately. The movement handles hours, minutes, seconds, the chronograph function and hacking seconds, offering genuine horological value in this segment.
Diameter and Materials
With a diameter of 39 mm (40 mm on the bezel) and a lug-to-lug length of 46 mm, the Omaha offers very balanced proportions suited to a wide range of wrists. The polished/brushed 316L steel case provides excellent corrosion resistance and a visual finish that combines robustness and elegance. The total thickness of 13.9 mm (11.8 mm without the crystal) remains restrained for an automatic chronograph, making it a comfortable watch for everyday wear. The 20 mm lugs allow for a variety of straps while preserving a coherent silhouette.
Water resistance
The Le Forban Sécurité Mer Omaha is rated to 150 m / 15 ATM, which places it above a simple field chronograph. This performance makes it suitable for swimming, swimming laps and recreational diving, in line with Le Forban Sécurité Mer’s dive watch and military watch DNA. The screw-down crown, inspired by vintage “pear” shapes, contributes to this water resistance while preserving a strong stylistic identity. The Omaha is therefore positioned as a versatile military chronograph capable of handling wet and nautical environments without giving up its historical inspiration.
Accessories
The Omaha is offered on a patinated calf leather strap, available in black for the black version and aged brown for the green edition, with a vegetable-tanned leather lining for added comfort. The pin buckle is signed Le Forban Sécurité Mer, highlighting the attention paid to detail. The choice of patinated leather helps reinforce the model’s 1940s spirit, in harmony with the sunburst dial and gold subdials. On the limited green edition, presentation may include a specific box and commemorative elements, further emphasizing the collectible nature of this variant.
Warranty
Le Forban Sécurité Mer watches come with a 2-year warranty from the shipping date. This warranty covers manufacturing defects affecting the movement, hands, case and dial. It does not apply to normal strap wear, or damage resulting from misuse or impacts. Combined with the quality of the 316L steel case and the seriousness of the Seiko NE86 movement, this warranty provides a level of security in line with current standards and reinforces confidence in the Omaha for regular use.
Le Forban Sécurité Mer Omaha The pros
and cons
- Tribute to the D-Day landings and Omaha Beach
- 1940s military chronograph design
- Comfortable power reserve
- Water resistance of 150 m / 15 ATM
- Not a professional dive watch
- Bezel more aesthetic than strictly functional
- Very limited availability of the green version
- No steel bracelet included as standard
Prices and technical specifications are subject to change. Content and photos are not contractual.
