Enicar: Your Sherpa Guide to an Amazing Vintage Watch Brand

Enicar's story began in 1897 when Ariste Racine's parents established a workshop in Lengnau, Switzerland, producing cylinder escapement watches. After relocating to Kirchmatte in 1902, the brand faced some challenging years. However, in 1913, Ariste Racine and his wife Emma Blatt founded their own business, laying the foundation for modern-day Enicar. The brand's evolution included producing trench watches embedded with compasses for the Great War, eventually moving back to Lengnau and establishing their own movement production.

During World War II, Enicar played a mysterious role, allegedly selling watches to both sides, which possibly prevented them from being chosen for the prestigious "dirty dozen" contract. Enicar supplied pocket watches to the British and potentially the Germans as well. Their timepieces gained popularity among American military personnel visiting Europe during the war.

In the late 1940s, Enicar adopted their iconic Saturn logo, a symbol that still catches collectors' eyes today. The brand's watches in the early 1950s showcased a range of features such as chronographs, shock protection systems, moonphases, and date windows. Enicar also introduced the Sea Pearl 600, tested alongside renowned watches like the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and Rolex Submariner by the U.S. Navy.

The pivotal moment for Enicar came in 1956 when mountaineers wearing Enicar ultrasonic Seapearl 600 watches climbed Mount Everest and Lhotse. This expedition marked the beginning of Enicar's strong association with adventure and exploration. Over the years, Enicar timepieces adorned the wrists of mountaineers, divers, explorers, and even F1 drivers like Stirling Moss and Jim Clark.

Enicar's diverse lineup included the Sherpa Guide, featuring a GMT bezel for jet-age enthusiasts, and the Sherpa Jet and Super Jet watches, which catered to the style of the time. The brand expanded into chronographs with models like the Sherpa Graph, Jet Graph, Aqua Graph, and Graph-o-matic. Enicar's tool watches impressed with their robustness and functionality, captivating divers and explorers alike.

Collaborations with prominent figures like Eddy Merckx in cycling and Ken Rosewall in tennis further showcased Enicar's versatility. The brand even ventured into the electric watch and quartz era, releasing the Sherpa Electric and Super Quartz series.

As you immerse yourself in Enicar's history, you'll discover a world of captivating collaborations, diverse designs, and innovative timepieces. Join me on this adventure through vintage watchdom as we unravel the mysteries and celebrate the brilliance of Enicar. Together, we'll delve into the fascinating stories behind each timepiece, uncovering the hidden gems of this extraordinary brand.