Le Forban Sécurité Mer Introduces World's First Rubber Bund Strap for Divers
A French Brand Creates History with Rubber Bund Strap
Le Forban Sécurité Mer, a revived French watch brand originally founded in 1969, has introduced what appears to be the world's first rubber bund strap designed specifically for a diver's watch. The strap comes fitted to the Le Forban Sécurité Mer Marseillaise Onyx Black model, priced at €940 EUR.
Bund straps are watch straps that flare widely behind the case, covering the entire caseback and often extending beyond the case width. Traditionally made from leather, bund straps originated as accessories for World War II pilots to protect against extreme cockpit temperatures. Until now, they have been exclusively leather products.
Why Rubber Changes the Bund Strap Game
The move to rubber opens up new possibilities for bund strap enthusiasts. Rubber is lighter, more water-resistant, and more durable than leather — making it better suited for diving watches. The bund attachment is removable, allowing owners to wear the Marseillaise on a standard textured rubber strap when they prefer a more conservative look.
The rubber bund strap also features a hole in the center to showcase the watch's impressively embossed caseback, which features an artistic octopus creature motif.
The Marseillaise: A Retro Diver That Gets Smaller
Interestingly, the Marseillaise is one of the first retro-remake watches that is actually smaller than its original inspiration. The 1979 Le Forban Sécurité Mer diver was 42mm and 13mm thick, while the modern Marseillaise measures 40.8mm wide, 12mm thick, with a 46mm lug-to-lug distance.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Case Size | 40.8mm x 12mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 46mm |
| Water Resistance | 250 meters |
| Movement | Sellita SW200 automatic |
| Crystal | AR-coated sapphire |
| Bezel | 120-click unidirectional |
| Price | €940 EUR |
Heritage Meets Innovation
Le Forban Sécurité Mer was revived by enthusiasts in 2019, and the brand has a history of making watches officially issued to members of the French military. The Marseillaise is named after France's national anthem and features "old radium" color Super-LumiNova that provides a vintage aesthetic without the degradation concerns of actual radium paint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the rubber bund strap waterproof? Yes, rubber is naturally water-resistant, making this bund strap suitable for swimming and diving — unlike traditional leather bund straps.
Can the bund attachment be removed? Yes, Le Forban Sécurité Mer designed the strap so the bund section can be detached, allowing the watch to be worn on a standard rubber strap.
How does the price compare to the bracelet version? The rubber bund strap version is €50 less than the steel bracelet option.
Related Reading
Source: aBlogtoWatch, January 31, 2026. Review by Ariel Adams.