Eberhard and Co. Pre Extra-Fort, Brushed Silver 'Breguet' Dial

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

We've handled, collected, sold, and personally owned a number of Eberhards over the years, and it has become clear that each brings a distinctly different character to wrist. There's a consistent sense of individuality across the brands offerings and no two models feel quite the same. From the highly sought-after Scafograf, to the earlier and more obscure 'snail dial' chronographs, Eberhard's designs remain consistently engaging, each with a personality that sets it apart from the their contemporaries. This is not a manufacturer defined by restraint or uniformity, but rather by a willingness to experiment and specialize. The piece that we have here is a very special chronograph dating to circa the late 1930s. Along with a handful of other chronographs that pre-date the Extra-Fort model that debuted in 1942, this is colloquially known as a 'Pre Extra-Fort.' It features a massive for the era, 40mm case crafted out of solid yellow gold with a 'hinged' caseback affixed to the left profile, fixed 'wire' lugs, a crown at 3 o'clock, and what appears to be a pair of 'oval' pushers in the usual configuration. The top pusher functions as a monopusher for the chronograph while the lower pushers is a locking/stop mechanism in disguise. Even today, this very unique function is thanks to one of the highest-grade chronograph movements of the era: Eberhard's Cal. 16000. Based on the Valjoux Cal. 65, this massive 36mm movement was and is about as Eberhard as Eberhard gets, truly embodying the ethos of the brand. The condition of this piece is fantastic — wonderfully-preserved throughout for a watch of this age, let alone a precious metal chronograph. The case remains strong with correct finishing and shows normal wear, with no apparent damage or major wear. It must be said, however, that the highlight of this piece is the stunning and unusual dial inside. Silver in color, it features a vertically 'brushed' surface with black enamel 'Breguet' indices and a blued-steel 'Breguet' handset. It shows very light wear on the surface from age and is otherwise fantastic. Best of all, it is an Eberhard. A brand unknown to many, but with models such as the Scientigraf, Scafograf, and Contograf, tug hard at the hearts of so many collectors of vintage. And like many Eberhards, these were produced in small numbers and are seldom-seen on the open market. This sold gold example, quite simply, is something we have never seen and very well may never seen again.