In 1887, George Eberhard founded the Swiss watch manufacturer Eberhard & Co. in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The firm had a rich history with innovation and precision timekeeping and, during the early 20th century, earned renown for their high quality chronograph wristwatches.
The present lot is an exceptional timepiece, immaculately preserved, with a rarely seen movement and stunning black dial. 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. Its vivid, black lacquered dial features gleaming silver gilt print for all graphics, hardly showing any flaws or signs of age. The case is in a breathtaking state of preservation, retaining its original crisp edges and sharp lines along the stepped bezel and lugs, illustrating how carefully it was handled over its 75-year life.