Eberhard and Co. Contograf Chronograph Ref. 14901 - 'Caramel' Tropical Dial

The Eberhard Contograf is one of the best looking and most interesting chronographs of the 20th century and when Eberhard introduced the Contograf in the 1960s, it was like nothing else on the market. Eberhard always tried to think outside the box and be innovative, hence the unusual date placement at six o’clock (still uncommon even today) and date corrector at nine o’clock. The Contograf is largely black with a few red details in the date wheel, the red triangle at the 12 o’clock on the bezel, and the 50 at the two o’clock position on the dial. That red “50” in the tachymeter scale marks 50 km/hr, which at the time was the standard speed limit in most European countries. These details cater to the overall sportiness of the Contograf, and when combined with always attractive features like a twin-register reverse-panda dial, virtually perfect case proportions, and a manual-winding calibre, amount to a watch with loads of character in a subtle fashion.

The example that we have here is something incredibly special. The lovely 39mm case is unpolished and retains clear factory finishing and chamfers on the lugs and shows normal signs of wear throughout. It retains a correct "E" signed crown and correct pushers, crisp and clear caseback engravings, and a correct bezel assembly with a black 12-hr insert with that pop of red at the 12 o'clock position. The real story with this piece though, is with the dial inside. What was once a glossy black lacquer 'reverse-panda' unit has completely transformed over its ≈60 years of life to a completely striking 'caramel' tropical color. In flat light, it appears more brown in color, but when exposed to natural sunlight, it really comes alive, exhibiting various shades of orange and copper. The result is simply mesmerizing.

And best of all, it is a Contograf. A watch that we like to think as something of a Submariner-Speedmaster hybrid. Seldom seen to begin with, we feel that this is one of the coolest vintage watches of all time, full stop. This unique example takes what is already a masterwork in design to another level with it's wildly-tropicalized dial. An ace in the pocket for lovers of vintage.