Really uncommon.... Enicar Automatic Chronometer

Bill Sohne · Aug 5, 2017

Hello Everyone....

Once again one for the books.... I recently got this watch and have to thank a friend for making the transaction happen.... I have also been Pming @MMMD about this watch.....

This watch checks alot of boxes for me as a collector...

Case design : I love the lugs , the case is made by EPSA Piquere and its a precursor to the Super Compressor Case... EPSA-STOP as its signed inside the caseback. Manufacture 1-56. It also has its original signed crown.

Dial Design : This watch is like the Early Seapearl Dive watch dial , the Snake like fully lumed sweep seconds very cool... Fully lumed hands and dial.... gota set off the Geiger Counter !

Movement : It has a 30 j automatic chronometer grade movement. i have come across very few Enicar automatic chronometers . This really uncommon, I have seen three over the last 10 years of looking... One in Rose gold last posted by @MMMD and I have same model in steel with a EPSA signed caseback and now this example ...

If you look closely on the caseback you will see a 4 digit number , that matches the movement serial number !! I have only seen this on the Three chronometer examples from Enicar .....

This example is a uncommon execution from Enicar , consider its in its " Seapearl " Diver style case and dial. The Seapearl was a manual wind diver , and then its has a 30 j auto chronometer movement too boot !!!

I will let @MMMD share his thoughts on this models origin... and other insights...

Enjoy

I was very happy to get this...

Good Hunting

Bill Sohne

MMMD · Aug 5, 2017

Dibs! And thoughts to follow.

Bill Sohne · Aug 5, 2017

Hey

just posted the photos of the Enicar..... I set you up to post your comments that you PM me.... I did not want to paraphrase your comments and I think the community would enjoy it as well....

Best regards

BIll

TexOmega · Aug 5, 2017

Great looking Enicar, and very early diver. I was unaware of them making it in a chronometer version.

Foo2rama · Aug 6, 2017

That is a watch to get lost in. The amount of detail on the original design is amazing. Plus chronometer divers from that period are far from common.

Then you get to the movement decoration... surprising little watch.

TexOmega · Aug 6, 2017

This is the SeaPearl dive version you referenced in your first post. But mine has a AR 1034 automatic movement. It was manufactured in the short window where Sherpas was still in use on the dial.

gatorcpa · Aug 6, 2017

Very unusual watch. Love the dial and seconds hand.

Two questions:

1. What is the caliber of the movement?

2. What does "100/76 Aa NS" as written on the caseback mean?

Enjoy!
gatorcpa

Bill Sohne · Aug 6, 2017

HI @TexOmega

Yes , mine was produced jan of 56 before the Everest expedition .. so no Sherpas or Sherpa on dial or caseback ...

Here is a photo of a Manual wind seapearl

TexOmega · Aug 6, 2017

Nice SeaPearl

The initial one is Very Special......early and chronometer and the cool dial design....congratulations.

I find they wear very nicely on the wrist with the turtle lugs.

Gator
The numbers on the case back designate the caliber inside(first numerals) and the reference afterwards, if I understand correctly.

MMMD · Aug 6, 2017

Bill Sohne
Hey

just posted the photos of the Enicar..... I set you up to post your comments that you PM me.... I did not want to paraphrase your comments and I think the community would enjoy it as well....

Best regards

BIll

Well I was thinking that this is now the best candidate I've seen for the model provided to the 1956 Swiss Everest/Lhotse Expedition... the grand-daddy of all Enicar "Sherpas."

We know from Albert Eggler's book on the 1956 Swiss expedition that Enicar supplied "automatic" watches to the Swiss team. Subsequent "Everest expedition" magazine ads for Enicar "Sherpa" watches showed a turtle-lugged watch resembling a Seapearl 600. And I recently discovered a photo of a member of that expediton, confirming that the expedition watches had turtle lugs and black dials. I would expect nothing less than a chronometer-rated movement for such a momentous endeavor. The case-back date of 1-56 is a bit close for an actual expedition watch... the participants left Genoa for Mumbai some time in February of 1956, it seems... but the group was raising funds and donations from industry in December 1955, and base camp was not set up until early April 1956, so it's possible that these special watches were provided brand-new in January-February 1956 or sent on to the group later in the winter/spring. Finally, Enicar did not obtain the Sherpa trademark until late 1956, after the expedition, so I wouldn't expect to see "Sherpas" or "Sherpa" on an actual expedition watch.

Here is a photo of 1956 Everest/Lhotse Expedition member Ernst Reiss, with his Enicar:

http://www.alpinfo.ch/rueckblick/en/expeditions/bilder56.html

Bill Sohne · Aug 6, 2017

@TexOmega

Just need to find the right strap or bracelet for that automatic......

BIll

TexOmega · Aug 6, 2017

Yours or mine?

I found a BOR bracelet I wear with mine now.

It's an Omega branded one and 0.5mm skinny, but I like the look and comfort and still on the search for an Enicar version.

Bill Sohne · Aug 6, 2017

Hi @MMMD

Thanks for the info.... That is very exciting news..... Now this watch is even "more" special...

Question what do you suggest I use for a strap? as I dont this a steel bracelet would be proper for outdoor server cold weather activity...

Maybe a old school three pieces strap with a leather backer.... I bought a few from ebay....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Calidad-Mar...m-20mm-/131728448415?var=&hash=item645fcc4095

have both 18 mm long black and brown... I think Tan would have been killer but dont that that color on hand.

Bill

MMMD
Well I was thinking that this is now the best candidate I've seen for the model provided to the 1956 Swiss Everest/Lhotse Expedition... the grand-daddy of all Enicar "Sherpas."

We know from Albert Eggler's book on the 1956 Swiss expedition that Enicar supplied "automatic" watches to the Swiss team. Subsequent "Everest expedition" magazine ads for Enicar "Sherpa" watches showed a turtle-lugged watch resembling a Seapearl 600. And I recently discovered a photo of a member of that expediton, confirming that the expedition watches had turtle lugs and black dials. I would expect nothing less than a chronometer-rated movement for such a momentous endeavor. The case-back date of 1-56 is a bit close for an actual expedition watch... the participants left Genoa for Mumbai some time in February of 1956... but the group was raising funds and donations from industry in December 1955, so it's possible that these special watches were provided brand-new in January-February 1956. Finally, Enicar did not obtain the Sherpa trademark until late 1956, after the expedition, so I wouldn't expect to see "Sherpas" or "Sherpa" on an actual expedition watch.

Here is a photo of 1956 Everest/Lhotse Expedition member Ernst Reiss, with his Enicar:

http://www.alpinfo.ch/rueckblick/en/expeditions/bilder56.html

MMMD · Aug 6, 2017

Bill Sohne
Hi @MMMD

Thanks for the info.... That is very exciting news..... Now this watch is even "more" special...

Question what do you suggest I use for a strap? as I dont this a steel bracelet would be proper for outdoor server cold weather activity...

Maybe a old school three pieces strap with a leather backer.... I bought a few from ebay....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Calidad-Mar...m-20mm-/131728448415?var=&hash=item645fcc4095

have both 18 mm long black and brown... I think Tan would have been killer but dont that that color on hand.

Bill

Yes, thick brown leather strap for authenticity.

TexOmega · Aug 6, 2017

Gator, Bill's would be a AR1034 as on the movement but tweaked to chronometer status, love their artwork on the movement.

The "100" designates the AR10xx series. The AR1010 did reach the COSC standard for chronometer certification, eventually Enicar made and certified their own movements they called SuperTest.

Bill Sohne · Aug 6, 2017

MMMD
Yes, thick brown leather strap for authenticity.

ok STAY TUNED !!!!!!

Bill

Bill Sohne · Aug 6, 2017

Bill Sohne
ok STAY TUNED !!!!!!

Bill

Hi @MMMD

Here ya go !!!!

All ready for my assent !

Good hunting

Bill

MMMD · Aug 6, 2017

TexOmega
Gator, Bill's would be a AR1034 as on the movement but tweaked to chronometer status, love their artwork on the movement.

The "100" designates the AR10xx series. The AR1010 did reach the COSC standard for chronometer certification, eventually Enicar made and certified their own movements they called SuperTest.

The AR 1034 is of course a Schild movement (the AS 1391), used in chronometers by many different brands in the 1950's. This model has the same movement, with similar finish:

Bill Sohne · Aug 6, 2017

MMMD
The AR 1034 is of course a Schild movement (the AS 1391), used in chronometers by many different brands in the 1950's. This model has the same movement, with similar finish:

Hi @MMMD

Please post pic of your caseback and inside caseback...

best

bill

Bill Sohne · Aug 6, 2017

Hi @MMMD

Here is the only other Enicar waterproof automatic chronometer I have come across... I bought this at the Watch Collection Pfeiffer-Belli 2byAuctionata Paddle 8 AG Feb 28th 2014.....

Enicar Ultrasonic chronometer wristwatch
Switzerland, around 1952
Automatic movement, calibre A-R1034; 30 jewels, hour, minute, second
Silver dial, silver hands
Watch case and crown of stainless steel
Black leather strap with pin buckle
Watch case no. 2935
Movement no. 2935
Maker’s mark on dial, crown, watch case and movement
Case diameter: 34 mm; Height: 10 mm
Length of strap: 20 cm; Lugs width: 17 mm
Total weight: 38 g
Fully functional, good condition with slight traces of wear

This chronometer wristwatch by Enicar was made in Switzerland around 1952. The watch is fitted with an automatic movement calibre A-R1034 with 30 jewels and displays hour, minute and second. The silver dial shows silver hands. Watch case and crown are made of stainless steel. The watch has a black leather strap with pin buckle. The watch case number is 2935. The movement number is 2935. Maker’s mark on dial, crown, watch case and movement.

The watch case measures 34 mm in diameter and 10 mm in height. The watch weighs 38 grams.

Also the Brevet number 314962 is a reference to a super compressor case....

See web site below

http://scubawatch.org/EPSA_SC_FAQ.html

So @MMMD so far we have three automatic Enicar w 30 j chronometer marked movements....

there are more out there !!!!

Good Hunting

Bill Sohne