
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Enicar Sherpa Graph (Ref. 072/001) Mk IIa, 1960s
- Maker / attribution
- Enicar (maker)
- Date
- 1960s
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- ENSG072001
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ENSG072001)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1960s Enicar Sherpa Graph (Ref. 072/001) Mk IIa (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ENSG072001), 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
Amidst the variety of models the brand produced over the years, it's their sports models of the '60s and early '70s that are the most cherished. Enicar was an early adopter of the EPSA-designed Super Compressor case and created watches with numerous applications for flying, diving, and racing – in fact, the brand's Sherpa Graph was the choice of famed race car drivers Stirling Moss and Jim Clark. This Sherpa Graph is a stellar example of why those guys chose this watch as their copilot – its highly legible dial features silvered subdials, a red chrono hand, and squared-off tritium hands. It also features the distinct Seapearl logo on the case back, something you'll only find on MK II models. SPECS Stock # ENSG072001 Brand Enicar Style Sherpa Graph Model 072/001 Serial 51XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Black / Grey "Mk IIa" Millimeters 40.5 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The impressive and robust case is believed to have been lightly polished at one time, but retains all of its unique factory dimensions, wide chamfers, and angles on the broad lugs. The case exhibits honest signs of light wear throughout. The smooth bezel is in excellent condition with light signs of use present. The case retains its original crosshatch Enicar signed crown and pump pushers. The case back exhibits some minor wear with all of its original factory markings and "Seapearl" medallion in crisp condition. The watch is supplied on a two-piece handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original glossy black dial is in remarkable condition throughout, showing only gentle signs of age, and serves as a perfect backdrop to the silvered subdials. The grey inner tachymeter scale shows some light honest aging around the edges. The tritium lume plots have achieved a charming golden-tan patina, under UV light inspection all the lume plots remain intact with no degradation present. The original paddle-style tritium hour and minute hands show some oxidation and the lume has taken on a dark beige patina, though no degradation is present under UV light inspection. ACCESSORIES None. The service history is unknown and is ready for service. The service can be provided upon request at the time of service.
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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