Marking the present moment: FHB watches. A legendary vintage design for men and women alike

Time is a strange thing—an invisible force that flows equally for everyone, no matter the circumstance. Whether we're at work or not, we go through our days conscious of "time." What time to wake up, what time to leave home to make it to an appointment, what time to finish a task by, what time to go to sleep.

We check the time many times a day—glancing at a smartphone, checking the clock displayed on a computer screen, or listening for a time signal on the radio. There are many ways to know the time, but the one we still look to with a sense of longing is the wristwatch.

Unlike smartphones or computers, a wristwatch that does nothing but "tell the time" may no longer be a necessity. And yet we still wear them, because we see in a wristwatch something beyond mere function—a kind of longing, and a form of identity that expresses the person wearing it.

Today we'd like to introduce FHB, a Swiss wristwatch brand. We'll share the story of what happened before the brand's launch and the design that emerged from it, as well as the durability made possible by modern technology.

A genuinely authentic vintage design

It was the 1960s. Felix Huber, then the head of a long-established Swiss watchmaker, was preparing to launch a new watch brand of his own design. He was not only a company executive but also a talented watch designer.

Up until then, wristwatches had been mechanical, driven by a wound mainspring. But in 1969, SEIKO introduced the quartz watch. Powered by a battery, requiring no winding, and combining high precision with mass producibility, quartz watches spread around the world in the blink of an eye. This new invention dealt a heavy blow to Switzerland's watch industry, long known as the kingdom of watchmaking—and FHB, still in preparation, was forced to be shelved before it ever launched.

Time passed, and by the 1980s, Swiss mechanical watches were being reevaluated for their high artistry and appeal, expanding their business in the high-end watch segment. It was around this time that, while expanding the offices of ZENO, the watch company Huber then headed, a warehouse cleanup turned up the original design drawings for FHB products.

One of the defining characteristics of FHB is that its designs are not the kind of "retro-style" designs so common today, but genuine vintage designs conceived back in the 1960s. Based on those original drawings, FHB finally launched in 1995. Carefully selecting from a wealth of 1960s designs, FHB offers watches perfectly suited to "now."

The advantage of bringing a vintage design to life with today's technology is this:

・It carries the weight and classic atmosphere of a genuinely authentic vintage design, while

・being built with the latest construction, so there's no need to worry about handling or durability—it can be worn every day

That's the point.

Genuine vintage watches certainly have wonderful atmosphere, but in reality many aren't well suited to everyday use—their construction can be delicate, their durability may have diminished after so many years, and repairs can be impossible if parts are no longer available.

FHB watches, by contrast, are built with high craftsmanship and durability, and can be repaired if something ever goes wrong—making them vintage-design watches that are genuinely practical for everyday use.

Furthermore, to demonstrate the authenticity of its vintage designs, some series feature a special code on the face recording that history. For example, the face of this watch reads "D.CODE Mai.1968-23," which means "the 23rd design created in May 1968." Somehow, that number even starts to look a little proud.

Design Features by Series

The "F901" Series

The dial is round, but the case itself has a cushion-like form, with each of its four sides slightly bulging outward. The indexed dial and the rounded, dome-shaped crystal evoke the nostalgic charm of a pocket watch. The cushion-shaped case also features railway-style markings reminiscent of train tracks, along with leaf-shaped hands, and the small seconds display at the 6 o'clock position adds to its wonderfully classic atmosphere.

There are two types of indexes to choose from: Arabic numerals or Roman numerals. The embossed cowhide leather strap features stitching that matches the color of the strap itself, making it a design that suits any occasion, whether formal, business, or casual.

The case is 39mm wide—a size with real presence on a woman's wrist, and an ideal size as a gift for a man.

△How it looks worn by a man

The "NOAH F930" Series

The series name NOAH is used as a men's name, but it also carries meanings such as "peace," "comfort," and "freedom." This series was named with the hope that wearers could enjoy their own individuality on their wrist, all while keeping a calm, classic, and grown-up atmosphere.

The beautifully shaped stainless steel case is compact yet has real presence at 36mm, finished in a style reminiscent of the 1960s. With its fluid lines and rounded, cushion-like form, it's a rare and distinctive cushion case.

You can choose between a "mesh belt" and a "NATO belt." The image above shows the "NATO belt," a style originally supplied to the British military. The "mesh belt" offers a formality well suited to business settings, while the nylon "NATO belt" gives a casual, distinctive impression. The "NATO belt" also comes with two straps included.

△NOAH F930 NATO belt

【F908】Series

The F908 model is a simple round case suited to any occasion. The dial features a "sunray type" finish, with fine lines radiating outward from the center that catch the light beautifully, giving it a gorgeous sparkle. The simple gold index, consisting only of markers, is embossed from behind for excellent visibility.

The crystal uses curved glass, which bulges slightly outward when viewed from the side, giving it a charming quality. It's full of the kind of nostalgic, warm details unique to the 1960s.

The case is 34mm wide, which is slightly larger when worn by women, but that only adds to its cool impression.

Taking Good Care of Your Wristwatch

Compared to delicate mechanical watches, quartz watches are said to be easier to handle, but they too are precision-made instruments. How long a watch lasts depends greatly on how it's used and stored day to day.

If all you need is to know the time, a smartphone will do. But there's a reason people choose to wear a wristwatch anyway. Because it's more than just a machine that tells the time, please take good care of it and use it for a long time.

Thinking About Water Resistance

A watch is, by nature, a machine that is vulnerable to water. To enjoy any watch for a long time, the most important thing is to prevent water from getting inside it. FHB wristwatches are [water resistant to 1 atm]. They are intended for indoor use, so please remove your watch when washing your hands, and try to avoid contact with water as much as possible.

Things to Avoid

・Turning the hands backward...When setting the time, do not turn the hands backward (counterclockwise).

・Operating the crown with wet hands...If your hands are wet while operating the crown, moisture may get inside the watch.

・Applying strong impact...Naturally, hitting the watch against something hard or dropping it from a height will damage it. Even if there's no visible damage, please be aware that internal damage may have occurred.

・Prolonged exposure to magnetism...Bringing the watch close to magnetized objects such as smartphones or computers may cause it to run slow or stop. It's safer to keep your watch at least 5cm away from computers and smartphones. Magnets are also a source of magnetism, so if your wallet or bag has a magnetic clasp, avoid keeping the watch near it for extended periods.