Le Forban Sécurité Mer - Omaha : a military chronograph inspired by the history of the D-Day landings
Some watches tell a story that goes far beyond their technical specifications. They evoke an era, a mission, or a major episode in military history. This is precisely the approach taken by Le Forban Sécurité Mer with its new Omaha, a chronograph that pays tribute to the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings of June 6, 1944. More than just a vintage-inspired watch, the Omaha revisits the aesthetics of 1940s military chronographs, imagining what a waterproof watch for soldiers landing on the Normandy beaches might have looked like. This creation also marks an evolution in the French manufacturer's collection. Known until now for its dive watches directly inherited from the brand's historical models (founded in 1969), Le Forban expands its universe with a chronograph that bridges military heritage, French elegance, and the spirit of a "tool watch." It is available from €1,690, its green edition (44 pieces) is at €1,944 and out of stock at the time of publication of this article.
Le Forban Sécurité Mer Military Watch: A Tribute to Omaha Beach
The name "Omaha" was obviously not chosen at random. It directly references Omaha Beach, one of the five D-Day landing beaches in Normandy where American troops suffered their heaviest losses on June 6, 1944. Rather than simply reproducing an existing military watch, Le Forban designed a timepiece that would be believable for this period. The result is particularly successful: a chronograph that looks like it came straight out of the 1940s while benefiting from modern watchmaking technologies. The entire watch exudes this historical inspiration. The large Arabic numerals, the gold subdials, the reimagined cathedral-style hands, the "onion" crown, and the black bezel immediately evoke the instruments used by soldiers, navigators, and pilots during World War II.
A Particularly Successful Vintage Design
The Omaha doesn't try to impress with excessive size. With a 39mm diameter, it remains true to the proportions of historical military watches while meeting modern expectations. Its 20mm lug width and 46mm lug-to-lug width make it suitable for most wrists. The dial is undoubtedly the most appealing element of this timepiece. Available in sunburst black or military green, it features two gold subdials that immediately reinforce its retro character. The hour markers and hands are coated with Super-LumiNova Old Radium, offering a particularly convincing patina without veering into overly vintage territory.
The highly domed sapphire crystal also contributes to this impression of authenticity, as do the aluminum bezel, the case with its alternating polished and satin finishes, and the perforated leather strap reminiscent of military equipment from that era.
Modern mechanics within a historical silhouette
While its appearance evokes the 1940s, the Omaha boasts a contemporary architecture. The chronograph is powered by the Seiko NE86, an automatic movement renowned for its robustness and reliability. This caliber offers a power reserve of approximately 45 hours and a modern architecture while maintaining excellent precision. Its adoption allows Le Forban to offer a high-performance automatic chronograph without the price tag often charged by Swiss manufacturers using proprietary movements.
Water resistance is rated at 50 meters, a level consistent with the model's historical philosophy. The Omaha is not intended to be a professional dive watch; it is more of a versatile military chronograph inspired by an era when water resistance already represented a significant technological advancement.
Découvrir la fiche complète de Le Forban Sécurité Mer - Omaha
A contemporary military watch
The world of military watches is experiencing a true renaissance. After several decades dominated by dive watches and aviation watches, chronographs inspired by 20th-century conflicts are captivating an ever-growing audience. The Omaha fits perfectly into this trend, but with its own unique identity. While some brands faithfully reproduce historical models, Le Forban has chosen a more creative approach, imagining a watch that could have existed without ever claiming any military authenticity. This freedom allows the French brand to combine aesthetic fidelity with modern comfort, without the technical compromises that a strict reproduction would impose.
Rediscovered expertise from Le Forban Sécurité Mer
Relaunched in 2019 by two enthusiasts, Le Forban Sécurité Mer has been dedicated for several years to reviving the spirit of French watches that equipped the French Navy from the late 1960s onward. The brand has gradually built a cohesive collection around models such as the Malouine, the Brestoise, the Rochelaise, and the Marseillaise, all inspired by its historical heritage. With the Omaha, Le Forban demonstrates that it is no longer limited to revisiting its own past. It now explores other chapters of military history while maintaining the values that have made it successful: restrained proportions, quality craftsmanship, excellent value for money, and a strong French identity.
In short, about the Le Forban Sécurité Mer - Omaha military watch
The Omaha succeeds in a rarely easy feat: paying homage to a major historical event without resorting to ostentation or excessive military marketing. Its aesthetic, inspired by 1940s chronographs, appears credible, elegant, and perfectly balanced. We particularly appreciate its compact dimensions, the perceived quality of the case, the choice of the Seiko NE86 automatic movement, and all the details that reinforce its vintage character: onion crown, domed sapphire crystal, sunburst dial, gold subdials, and perforated strap.
At a time when many so-called "military" watches simply add a few historical references to existing models, the Le Forban Omaha develops a true identity. It will appeal to lovers of French watchmaking, military history enthusiasts, and collectors of vintage-inspired timepieces alike. With this creation, Le Forban Sécurité Mer confirms its ability to combine heritage, design, and accessibility, while offering a watch with its own distinct personality. For military chronograph enthusiasts, the Omaha stands out as one of the most interesting French creations of recent years.
More
Rolex Oyster: 100 years of precision and adventure
Echo/Neutra 1956 GMT: the spirit of 1950s tool watches
Seiko Prospex Marinemaster HBF001J1: the grand return of a Japanese legend
Amida Digitrend NASA Tribute : la montre de la conquête spatiale au poignet
Editor: Éric Barse
Journalist, entrepreneur, and founder of the websites www.cafe-racer-only.com and www.scooter-3-roues.com, Eric Barse divides his time between his passions: motorcycles, travel, and watches. A graduate of the Saint-Cyr military academy and the 2nd RPIMA (Parachute Regiment) before pursuing a career in communications and digital media, he has a true passion for authentic watches that have accompanied his two-wheeled adventures for many years, from the Indian Ocean to Africa and Latin America!
