In the docu for the Esri Geodatabase SDE Reader (ArcObjects) it says about the ARCHIVE WHERE CLAUSE:

ARCHIVE_WHERE

... One or both of the GDB_FROM_DATE or GDB_TO_DATE column names must be specified in order to form a valid where clause. If the GDB_FROM_DATE is not specified, the creation date of the archive will be assumed. If the GDB_TO_DATE is note specified, the current date will be assumed.

...

Suggestion:

It wouldn't hurt to add the detailed sytax to the docu, which is output to the FME Log only if you do something wrong in the WHERE CLAUSE:

i.e.:

The archive where clause must be in the format

'GDB_FROM_DATE|GDB_TO_DATE <logical operator> <date>

[AND GDB_FROM_DATE|GDB_TO_DATE <logical operator> <date>]*'

and be space delimited

Things like "(" or ")" which are standard in SQL are NOT allowed.

Michael