Enicar Sherpa Super-DIVETTE 'Tropical Champagne dial' Full Set

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 that comes directly from first owner. The all stainless steel angled case remains untouched, in original unpolished condition letting show its character. 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 the Enicar logo. The case backs of Super Compressor divers often bore EPSA's dive helmet logo, as this one also does. This one shows clearly all of the printings, something quite difficult on these as they tend to fade away or be polished out.

 

The tritium markers on the dial and the striped tritium hands have even and golden patina, which matches along with that on the 60 minute triangle marker on the tropically aged divers’ inner rotating bezel. This inner rotating bezel has aged to a brown tropical color and contrasts beautifully with the ‘champagne’ sunburst dial. The seconds hand conserves the lollipop pointer also with matching patina lume.

 

The original red date disk with open 6s and 9s give it a spark of color.

 

It comes on the original extensible Enicar stainless steel bracelet that just gives it a spectacular look.

 

This along with the original brown and golden wood box and blank international guarantee booklet complete a fantastic full set not to be missed.

 

The watch has been fully serviced by our professional watchmaker and runs smoothly and accurately, being in full working order.

 

In our honest opinion, this is the best and most beautiful example of an Enicar Sherpa Super-DIVETTE out there.