Enicar Sherpa Graph MKIV 072-02-01

ENICAR SHERPA GRAPH 'MKIV'

THE ESSENTIALS MAKE: ENICAR MODEL: 072-02-01 YEAR: 1967 BOX/PAPERS: NO /NO CASE DIAMETER: 40 mm CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND The 1960s and ’70s were a golden era for sports chronographs, with numerous iconic models emerging from historic manufacturers such as Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Universal Genève, and Heuer. In the shadow of these big names, Enicar quietly produced a series of exceptional sports chronographs during the 1960s—earning a cult following among collectors. Enicar began as the Manufacture d’Horlogerie Ariste Racine in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1913, founded by husband-and-wife duo Ariste Racine and Emma Blatt. A year later, the pair renamed the company Enicar—“Racine” spelled backwards. Over the following decades, Enicar steadily gained popularity thanks to its exceptional price-to-quality ratio. At the 44th Basel Watch Fair in 1960, Enicar introduced the Sherpa Graph, which would become one of the brand’s most successful models—due in part to its association with legendary F1 driver Jim Clark, who famously wore the watch. Over its ten-year production run, around two dozen dial variations were produced. The present example features a MKVI "reverse panda" dial with a grey tachymeter ring. In total, only around 2,700 MKVI dials were made—in white, silver, black, and blue, with various tachymeter ring colours. The design is unmistakably Enicar—distinct from other chronographs of the era. The 40mm EPSA compressor case was modern for its time and wears beautifully on the wrist. The dial on this watch is in immaculate condition: there are no imperfections, all lume plots are intact and have aged to a rich, creamy patina, and the vibrant colours remain perfectly preserved. This watch has recently been inspected, and the Valjoux 72 movement is running flawlessly at +3 s/d, 295 amplitude, with a 0.4 ms beat error. Vintage Enicar chronographs once had a major following, with prices rivalling rare Heuer and UG models. The recent period of relative obscurity is hard to explain—but it’s likely only a matter of time before these pieces are rediscovered. A superbly cool watch, ready for its next journey.