Vintage chronograph wristwatches are among one of the most collected categories of watches by collectors in love with the innovative period of the 1960s. Established in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1887, Eberhard & Co was among one of the earliest and largest manufacturers producing high quality chronograph timepieces since 1919. Adored by many due to its bold and large aesthetics compared to other pieces from the era, they can arguably be considered as “ahead of their time”.
One of their most iconic and successful chronograph wristwatches hailing from the 1960s was the Contograf. Featuring a large 38.5mm diameter case, the watch features a bi-directional rotating bezel with an attractive black insert calibrated to 12 hours. Furthermore, the dial layout is perfectly symmetrical with its registers aligned with the crown, a date window is positioned at 6 O’clock in the style of roulette adjusted via an adjuster on the left side of the caseband.
In 2014, the firm released a re-edition of the Contograf and the present example belongs to an original example from the 1960s featuring a proto dial. Differing from regular examples of the Contograf, the present rare example features a dial without the "CONTOGRAF" designation at 6 o'clock. Furthermore, a keen eye may notice that the present example has a smaller gap between the registers and the outer minute track, with regular examples featuring a more prominent gap in between. Offered in attractive overall condition with its original stainless steel expandable bracelet, this present example exudes the pure essence of the ideal chronograph wristwatch from the respective era.
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.
