
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Enicar Garnix Chronograph (Ref. 2303), 1960s
- Maker / attribution
- Enicar (maker)
- Date
- 1960s
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 37 mm
- Stock no.
- ENG230372
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ENG230372)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1960s Enicar Garnix Chronograph (Ref. 2303) (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ENG230372), this is a wristwatch by Enicar, made in Switzerland, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 37 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
The Enicar ref. 2303, nicknamed the Garnix, has been somewhat of an enigma among collectors since its rise to popularity. The reference 2303 as a whole is relatively rare to come across, however, its lack of having a model name is what's so enamoring for collectors. This is actually where the nickname "Garnix" comes from, in German "Garnix" directly translates to "Nothing". Garnix is a nod to the reference lacking a model name on the dial that would commonly be present on the dial for Enicar watches during this era. Not only is the Garnix mysterious, but its also a rather impressive and handsome timepiece. The ref. 2303 Enicar is powered by the Valjoux 72 manual winding chronograph movement and features a unique dark grey dial with both matte and reflective textures that surprisingly, works very well with the gold cap case. The Enicar ref. 2303 "Garnix" is truly collectible, but being stylish with a fun and mysterious story gives the ref. 2303 its character. Stock # ENG230372 Brand Enicar Style Chronograph "Garnix" Model 2303 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Gold Cap Dial Grey Millimeters 37mm Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The gold cap case remains bright in its golden yellow coloration and has ahieved a desirable oxidation around the pushers and crown, which displays the originality of the gold cap finish. The case retains its original pump pushers and "Enicar" signed crown. The stainless steel screwdown case back is in wonderful condition retaining all of its original factory engravings. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original dark grey dial features a matte center portion with metallic sub-dial accents and outer tachymeter bezel. The dial is in excellent vintage condition, remaining clean with some light signs of aging. The original tritium lume plots have taken on a golden coloration and show no degradation when inspected under U.V. light inspection. The paddle style hour and minute tritium hands with the red enamel chronograph hand remain original to the watch, under U.V light inspection the hands exhibit no degradation. ACCESSORIES
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
Related records
Wristwatches · 2000
Wristwatch by Enicar, Switzerland, 2000
German Clock Museum
Wristwatches · c. 1960s
Enicar wristwatch, ref. 477-01-02, circa 1960s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1970s
Enicar wristwatch, ref. 144-62-02, Sherpa Star Brown Dial, circa 1970's
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1970s
Enicar wristwatch, ref. 148-35-01, Sherpa Guide Box and Blank Warranty Booklet, circa 1970's
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 1945
Wristwatch by Eterna, 1945
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Breitling Premier, ref. 790, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Universal Genève Uni-Compax, ref. 22492, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1950s
Baume & Mercier wristwatch, c. 1950s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
