Eberhard and Co. Contograf ref. 131501, Sunburst Silver Non-Luminous Dial

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

The Eberhard Contograf is one of the best looking and most interesting chronographs of the 20th century and when Eberhard introduced the Contograf in the 1960s, it was like nothing else on the market. Eberhard always tried to think outside the box and be innovative, hence the unusual date placement at six o’clock (still uncommon even today) and date corrector at nine o’clock. The Contograf is largely black with a few red details in the alternating red numbers on the ‘roulette’ date wheel, the red triangle at the 12 o’clock on the bezel, and the 50 at the two o’clock position on the dial. That red “50” in the tachymeter scale marks 50 km/hr, which at the time was the standard speed limit in most European countries. These details cater to the overall sportiness of the Contograf, and when combined with always attractive features like a twin-register dial, virtually perfect case proportions, and a manual-winding calibre, amount to a watch with loads of character in a subtle fashion. The example that we have here comes from the latter half of the Contograf's run and, while all Contografs are rare, this variant is rarer still. Dating to the late 1960s, it features an outstanding unpolished case with prominent chamfers, a correct signed crown, 'pump' pushers, and a screw-down caseback. It shows normal wear throughout with no damage or wear of note. The bezel insert also remains in strong overall condition, showing normal wear with a clear red accent in the triangle. The real highlight here, is the silver dial within. Produced in even fewer numbers than the usual black-dial piece, this silver dial features a crisp and vibrant sunburst finishing throughout and happens to be in exceptionally well-preserved condition. Like its black-dial contemporaries, it has applied indices, a framed date aperture at the 6 o'clock position, those amazing red accents, and one of the coolest script logos ever to grace a watch dial. And best of all, it is a Contograf. A watch that we like to think as something of a Submariner-Speedmaster hybrid. Seldom seen to begin with, we feel that this is one of the coolest vintage watches of all time, full stop. This example takes what is already a masterwork in design to another level with it's fantastic overall condition and elegant silver dial.