Manufacturer: Eberhard Year: circa 1940 Movement No: 12'792 Case No: 1'003'195 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 16"", 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 40mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Collectors and connoisseurs have expressed a growing interest in Eberhard’s inimitable vintage chronographs, with their bold oversized cases and vibrant dials.
Eberhard & Co. was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland) in 1887 by Georges Eberhard. With the launch of its first chronograph wristwatch in 1919 the firm was recognized as one of the largest manufacturers of watches in Switzerland and known for their fine chronographs.
Housed in an oversized 40mm case, the present watch stands out with its extraordinary good looks. The grey dial is beautifully accented with a very thin, mirrored copper-colored ring separating the chronograph seconds chapter ring and telemeter scale with the hour numerals and snail tachymeter ring.
From a quick glance, a collector would assume the watch was a standard two-pusher chronograph, however, in reality, it is a rare monopusher. While the pusher at 2 o’clock starts, stops and resets the chronograph, the lower pusher at 4 o’clock instead works as a “stop and lock” mechanism controlled by simply sliding it up towards the crown. When the slide is moved upwards, the precise time is protected, and can be recorded by the user. The lock prevents the accidental activation of the chronograph’s pushers that would result in losing the measurement.
The ‘195’ stamping found on the underside of the lug is correct as it matches the last four digits of the case number found on the inner case-back, reading 1'003'195 .
The case is well preserved, retaining crisp edges and sharp lines along the stepped bezel and lugs, illustrating how carefully it was worn over its 75-year life.
From its earliest days, Eberhard & Co. has sought to bring innovation and precision to watchmaking. As early as the 1890s, the firm introduced a patented setting mechanism to its pocket watches, and in 1905 they introduced a digital system for reading the hours and minutes on a wristwatch. Throughout the firm's long history, they have produced high-quality chronograph watches, introducing their first chronograph wristwatch in 1919. Highly sought-after by collectors, Eberhard's first split-seconds chronograph appeared in 1939. Another key model is the Scafograph 100, an extremely rare diving model introduced in the 1950s. In 2001, Eberhard & Co. made history with their Chrono 4 model, the first chronograph wristwatch with counters horizontally arranged in one row.
A very rare, attractive and oversized stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with grey dial, copper ring, telemeter scale and snail-shaped tachometer scale
circa 1940 40mm. Diameter Case, dial and movement signed