Manufacturer: Eberhard Year: circa 1965 Reference No: 131501 Case No: 131'501-806 Model Name: Contograf Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, Cal. 310-82. 21 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
Catalogue Essay
Eberhard has seen immense growing interest in its 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.
The Contograf was launched in the mid 1960s and features all the elements that collectors have come to love in chronographs from that era. The large 38.5mm case is extremely well preserved with strong lugs and crisp bevels. The large white subdials give the watch extra gravitas and the roulette date wheel with even numbers in red and odd numbers in black add a touch of playfulness to this extremely appealing watch.
So strong is this design that Eberhard presented a re issue of the Contograf in 2014.
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.