Important. Special. Iconic. All of these adjectives are pretty common in our product descriptions, and for good reason - after all, we offer exceptional examples of some of the world's most desirable timepieces. But sometimes we find something that is a little off the beaten path - something that is all of those things to a knowledgable few, but is an overlooked side note to the collector community at large. Such is the case with this incredible Eberhard Contograf. Here's a timepiece with no measurable contribution to the history and development of the modern sports watch, wasn't the first at anything, and that few have even heard of. A modern version exists, but is rarely seen in the US market. Yet it manages to be all of those things and more, the perfect blend of styles and mechanicals that makes it perhaps the ultimate expression of mid-60s design. Its part Speedy, part Autavia, part Submariner, and all totally and completely cool. Starting with its 38.5mm steel case with brilliantly beveled lugs and moving to its bi-directionally rotating 12-hour timing bezel (with red triangle marker!) and its barrel pushers, the watch is perfectly proportioned and wears perfectly on the wrist; much like a Pre-Pro Speedmaster or early manual-winding Autavia. Internally, a Calibre 310.82 manual-winding chronograph movement built by Eberhard powers all functions, including subsidiary seconds, a 30-minute counter, central chrono seconds, and date. Its dial is supremely well executed, a matte black inverse-panda with outer tachymetre track, steel stick markers, and telephone-call indicators in the right subsidiary register. With an elegantly scripted "Eberhard & Co" signature just below 12:00 and a bold "CONTOGRAF" model designator above 6:00, this watch has an exceptional balance of style and tool-watch practicality. The cherry on top is the date window centered at the bottom of the dial, operated via a micropusher on the left side of the case, which cycles through the Roulette date wheel. Few watches demand the intense and focused second look from collectors that the Eberhard Contograf does, for the seasoned eye knows that the search for rarity, horological uniqueness and killer looks rarely combine so effortlessly...
