
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Enicar "Garnix" Chronograph (Ref. 2303) Grey Dial, 1960s
- Maker / attribution
- Enicar (maker)
- Date
- 1960s
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- ENG2303-2
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ENG2303-2)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1960s Enicar "Garnix" Chronograph (Ref. 2303) Grey Dial (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ENG2303-2), 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. 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 enchanting 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 it's 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 satin and reflective textures that, unsurprisingly, work very well together. The Enicar ref. 2303 "Garnix" is collectible, though not extremely well-known, and being a stylish timepiece with a fun mystery gives the ref. 2303 it's "if you know, you know" character that collectors love. SPECS Stock # ENG2303-2 Brand Enicar Style "Garnix" Chronograph Model 2303 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Grey Millimeters 37 Bracelet Enicar "Beads of Rice" Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The case is in impressive vintage condition, displaying crisp edges and factory finishing throughout, with only light signs of previous use present. The case retains its original pump pushers and "Enicar" signed crown. The screw-down case back is in excellent condition, retaining all of its original factory engravings. The original Enicar "Beads of Rice" bracelet is in excellent condition and retains 20 links, fitting up to a 7.25-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original and intricate two-tone satin and metallic grey dial is a treat for the eyes, and remains in wonderfully preserved vintage condition, showing no damage and nominal elements of age. The dark beige-aged tritium lume plots all remain intact with no degradation present, though under UV light inspection, the 5 o'clock plot appears to have slightly shifted in position. The paddle-style hour and minute tritium hands with the red enamel chronograph hand remain original to the watch. The hour hand features some minor corrosion, which is common, and the minute hand exhibits some superficial surface cracking, with no actual degradation present under UV light inspection. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is functioning correctly and keeping time; the previous service history is unknown. A movement service can be purchased upon request.
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
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