1960s Enicar Sherpa Super-Dive 39mm Automatic 144-35-02

Here we have a 1960s Enicar Sherpa Super-Dive Automatic 144-35-02 with a 39mm stainless steel case. This Super Compressor case was made by the case maker Ervin Piquerez (EPSA). The tapered lugs have a lug-to-lug length of 49mm and a case thickness of 13.5mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the right side, we have a signed crown at 2 o’clock to adjust the inner bezel and a signed crown at 4 o’clock to adjust the time and date. A domed crystal sits above a grey and black dial. The inner dive bezel in grey is easily rotated by the 2 o’clock crown. Applied baton indexes have a line of luminance and a lume pip, both in Tritium marking the hours. At 3 o’clock, a date window. The baton hands have lume down the centre, complemented by an orange tapered second hand. At noon we have the Enicar motif and at 6 o’clock “Sherpa Super-Dive”. On the reverse, a bayonet case back with the Sherpa and EPSA clamshell with pearl embossed into it indicates the water resistance of the case. Enicar used a Bayonet-style case back similar to the way a camera lens is attached to a camera to provide uniform pressure. They also referred to a different patent (Brevet) number than other compressor cases, EPSA ceased production around 1975. Inside an automatic Enicar Cal. AR 1145 movement, 24 jewels, beating at a leisurely 18,000 beats per hour. The watch comes paired with a 20mm Beads of Rice stainless steel bracelet and an Enicar-signed folding clasp.

This watch is sold as "Watch Only", meaning it comes with no original Enicar box or original Enicar paperwork. The watch comes paired with a 20mm Beads of Rice stainless steel bracelet and an Enicar-signed folding clasp. The watch is from Circa. 1960s and is in worn vintage condition but is overall very good and honest for its age, as you can see from the photos. The watch was serviced in 2023 and comes with our 12-Months Non-Waterproof Warranty.

Enicar was a true divers brand, the watches they made were used and that shows by the examples we find in the market today, it is very rare to find anything new old stock or in pristine condition, which is how it should be with tool watches, used and enjoyed. This 1960s Enicar Sherpa Super-Dive is the perfect example of an honest and used vintage watch, still with a strong case and great lines, but definitely worn and lived a life. Great patina throughout the dial, hands and inner rotating bezel. If only watches could speak and tell their story, I bet this one has some great ones. I would not hesitate to add this great example to your collection today!

Reference : 144-35-02
Movement : Automatic Enicar Cal. AR 1145
Age : Circa. 1960s
Year : Circa. 1960s
Case Size : 39mm
Case Thickness : 13.5mm
Lug to Lug : 49mm
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

In 1914, founder Ariste Racine reversed his last name to create the brand “Enicar”. Their headquarters was in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. Producing high-quality timepieces, his readable pocket watches were commonly used by European soldiers and railway crews during WWI. A new factory was built in 1930 in Bienne, Switzerland. In 1951, Enicar designed the Sherpa jet watches, which were supplied to the US Air Force during WWII. After the war, the Sherpa Collection entered the Asian market, offering advanced complications for both aviation and mountaineering. The 1956 Swiss Expedition conquered the summit of Mount Everest, equipped with Enicar chronometers. A member of the team, Ernst Reiss, praised the watch for its exceptional precision in extreme weather conditions. In 2014, Enicar celebrated its 100th anniversary.