Enicar Sherpa Super-Divette 'Glossy dial golden patina'

The Racine family was already well-known in the watchmaking hub of Jura as early as the 1700s, and in 1870 Jules Racine manufactured pocket watches under the family name. By the time young Ariste Racine entered the family business and wanted to start his own brand, the name "Racine" was already trademarked. So he decided to turned it back wise and call his brand “Enicar”. Drawing from the needs of mountaineers and explorers, Enicar launched their Sherpa line, developing various sports models through the 1960s. Seapearl watches by Enicar were strapped to the wrists of the members of a Swiss expedition to the summit of Mt. Everest in 1956. Taking the name from the rugged, heroic Sherpa guides who escorted (and in many instances carried) European explorers to the summit, Enicar renamed their Seapearl line to Sherpa. During the 1960s, over 100 different models of Sherpa were released, for every conceivable sport. 1958 saw the launch of the Sherpa dive watches. Enicar adopted the Super Compressor case design manufactured by Ervin Piquerez S.A. (EPSA) from the 1950s to the 1970s. The case design was used by many brands from Girard-Perregaux and Bulova to (perhaps most famously) Longines and Jaeger-LeCoultre. The SuperCompressor cases came in two sizes, 36mm (the Super-Divette, featured here) and 41mm. In 1964, Enicar introduced the new two-crown models based on the automatic caliber AR1145 movement.

This particular example is a 36mm Enicar Sherpa Super-Divette.

 

The all stainless steel case remains untouched, in original unpolished condition. It is smaller than the 41mm Super Dive but in our opinion this model wears better on the wrist and it’s definitely rarer than its bigger brother. SuperCompressor cases are notable for their spring-loaded case backs, which actually tighten when exposed to higher pressures underwater. The dual crowns at 2 and 4 o'clock (one to set the time and the other to control the inner diver's rotating bezel) feature a distinctive cross-hatch finishing, over which many brands placed their logo. Along with the typical cross-hatch finishing on the crown, the case backs of SuperCompressor divers often bore EPSA's dive helmet logo.

 

The tritium markers on the dial and the “Inverted T” tritium hands, as well as the original lollipop seconds hand, have evenly aged into a beautiful golden patina tone.

 

The inner rotating grey ring is in perfect condition and contrasts beautifully with the minty glossy black dial.

 

It comes with what could perfectly be an original strap combo: a NOS Tropic Sport strap with an original and correct period stainless steel Enicar buckle.

 

The watch is running accurately and all functions work correctly although service history is unknown.