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Enicar Ocean Pearl (Ref. 144/024), 1960s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Enicar Ocean Pearl (Ref. 144/024), 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Enicar (maker)
Date
1960s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
ENUS144024
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ENUS144024)
Catalogue title (original)
1960s Enicar Ocean Pearl (Ref. 144/024) (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ENUS144024), 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

Though Enicar is a relatively unknown brand, those in-the-know revere the Saturn-logo company for being one of the more creative of the “golden era” watch brands – one that's also respected for offering incredible value for the quality of their watches. With its roots tracing back to 1913 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the brand is best known for their sport models of the '60s and early '70s, though earlier Enicar watches—like this midcentury Ocean Pearl model—are an excellent value proposition with high quality in craftsmanship and unique designs. Stock # ENUS144024 Brand Enicar Style Automatic Model 144/024 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Steel Dial Silver Millimeters 35 Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The classic straight lug case has been lightly polished and is in beautiful original condition, showing no major signs of use. The case retains its original Enicar-signed crown. The case back is crisp, showing only gentle signs of use. The watch comes supplied on a handmade 2pc leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The silver sunburst dial looks fantastic for its age, showing very few signs of use. The silver rectangular hour markers are complemented by the cigarette boat-shaped hour and minute hands that, under U.V. light inspection the tritium in the hands exhibits no degradation and has taken on a dark patina. The tritium lume plots on the dial have aged to a light cream color and remain fully intact. The numerals in the date wheel are red, a subtle detail that adds to the watches overall charm. 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

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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.

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