Enicar Seapearl 600 (A Deep Cut)
1950s Enicar Seapearl 600.
This model has a pretty interesting history:
1) The automatic version of this model was supplied by Enicar to the 1956 Everest & Lhotse expedition. The success of that expedition led Enicar launching it's pretty well known “Sherpa” line of watches. That expedition and the term “Sherpa” was a big part of Enicar branding throughout the 1960s.
2) This model was one of three watches tested by the US Navy in 1958 for use by the UDTs (pre-curser of Navy Seals). The watches were the Rolex Submariner 6538, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Milspec, and the Enicar Seapearl 600. The Submariner failed in testing due to the crystal fogging from water entering the case. The Enicar, passed all the testing and was liked for it's low profile and high level of visibility. This said - it was ultimately eliminated because it didn't have a timing bezel, and some worry about the amount of radium used for luming the dial. The winner was the Blancpain, but due to the buy American act of the time the Navy couldn't buy them directly. This resulted in the formation of the Tornek-Rayville company by Alan Tornek (the US Blancpain distributor at the time) and the TR-900 (a re-labelled Blancpain Fifty Fathoms MilSpec). Those watches now regularly go for more that $100,000 at auction. The Enicar Seapearl 600 can be had for less than $1000.
The watch itself has an EPSA super compressor case housing an in house AR 1120 movement. It came in two case configurations (curved lugs and straight/angled lugs) and many dial variations.
A fair bit of vintage Seiko, with some vintage Doxa, Rolex, Blancpain, Enicar, Benrus, Zenith, etc thrown in. Plus some modern stuff that strikes my tool / diver fancy.
Vintage indeed! 🔥
Super unique. And interesting
Super cool! Thanks for sharing such a unique piece! 👍
Very cool, thanks 👍🏻
Thats just beautiful.
Love this! Thanks for the very interesting and informative post! 🙌
Interesting history lesson.
Love seeing all these vintage pieces start popping up on here
Very cool
Fun Fact: Bulova also made a prototype to be considered for that military contract. Rumor has it that Omar Bradley, who was Bulova's chairman at the time learned through his Pentagon contacts that it was to be a fairly low volume contract and backed out. Your watch is stunning!
Fun Fact: Bulova also made a prototype to be considered for that military contract. Rumor has it that Omar Bradley, who was Bulova's chairman at the time learned through his Pentagon contacts that it was to be a fairly low volume contract and backed out. Your watch is stunning!
The Navy wanted to go with Bulova (US company) but it wasn't ready for the original testing. Ultimately when it was ready the Navy did use it. The Bulova MIL-SHIPS looks a lot like the Blancpain Mil-Spec. Bulova re-issued it a few years ago.
Definitely a special piece!😍