Around a month ago, the unthinkable happened in the trendy ski resort of Crans-Montana, Switzerland. An avalanche came down across a busy ski piste, claiming the life of a ski patroller. Such incidents are rare, since marked ski runs are usually considered free of risks. But unusually warm temperatures for the time of year could have made the avalanche more likely.
In such events, rescuers with avalanche dogs will comb the scene. Favre-Leuba has already shown its commitment to help by sponsoring an avalanche dog team in New Zealand, but the brand takes things a step further with the new Raider Bivouac 9000 in black, since this is a watch that could help to save your life in an avalanche.
The Raider Bivouac 9000 is already a trusted friend of mountaineers and sailors, thanks to its mechanical aneroid barometer that can indicate altitudes up to 9,000 metres as well as changes in barometric pressure that could signal impending bad weather. The life-saving component on the latest Bivouac model is, however, its strap. The black Kevlar strap is fitted with a RECCO® reflector that reflects back signals emitted by the RECCO® transmitters used by rescuers in avalanches. This small piece of kit does not need a power supply and could mean the difference between life and death.
The watch is presented on the brand’s 282nd birthday and comes with a 48mm case in brushed titanium with a black dial and white luminescent indications that is geared towards optimum legibility. It is equipped with a manually-wound movement with a 65-hour power reserve that powers hours, minutes and small seconds. The independent aneroid barometer uses a combination of hands to display altitude: the central red hand indicates altitude in 100 metre increments up to 3,000 metres against a scale on the titanium bezel with graduated aluminium insert; the double-sided hand on the counter at 3 o’clock totalises altitude in 1,000 metre increments up to 9,000 metres, with the opposite scale indicating pressure in hPa, which correlates with altitude.
In addition to the life-saving strap, the Raider Bivouac 9000 also comes with a distinctive grey antelope leather strap and a more classic black rubber strap with pin buckle. Even better news is that this very useful extra feature comes at the same price as all other Bivouac models: 7,500 Swiss francs.
