Enicar 1005 valjoux 92, pilot chronograph, Pre Sherpa

Rare Enicar Ref. 1005CH pilot Chronograph – telemeter scale - Valjoux 92 – Circa 1950

Enicar Ref. 1005CH, an early pre-Sherpa chronograph dating to approximately 1950. Produced during the golden age of Swiss chronograph manufacturing, this reference represents an important chapter in Enicar's history before the introduction of the legendary Sherpa line later in the decade.

The watch is powered by the renowned Valjoux 92, a manual-winding column-wheel chronograph movement widely regarded as one of the finest two-register chronograph calibres of its era. The movement has been fully serviced and is accompanied by service documentation.

The original silver dial displays beautiful natural aging acquired over more than seven decades, with applied Arabic numerals, telemeter scale, and matching subsidiary registers. The striking red central chronograph hand provides a distinctive period-correct contrast and remains one of the most attractive features of these early Enicar chronographs.

The case measures 34 mm excluding the crown (43 mm lug-to-lug), retaining the elegant proportions typical of early post-war chronographs. The watch remains 100% original and untouched, preserving the authenticity that serious collectors seek.

Historical Background

Founded in Switzerland in 1913 by Ariste Racine and his wife Emma Blatt, Enicar derived its name by reversing the family surname "Racine." During the 1940s and 1950s, Enicar built a reputation for producing high-quality chronographs and tool watches using respected Swiss movements, including those from Valjoux. These early chronographs laid the foundation for the brand's later success with the Sherpa collection, introduced after Enicar's association with the celebrated 1956 Swiss Himalayan expedition.

The Ref. 1005CH belongs to this desirable pre-Sherpa period, a time when Enicar was producing relatively small numbers of sophisticated chronographs. Today, these early Valjoux-powered examples are increasingly appreciated by collectors for their rarity, historical importance, and exceptional movement quality.

Specifications

• Reference: Enicar 1005CH
• Year: Circa 1950
• Movement: Valjoux 92 manual-wind column-wheel chronograph
• Diameter: 34 mm (excluding crown)
• Lug-to-lug: 43 mm
• Dial: Original silver dial with telemeter scale
• Condition: 100% original and untouched
• Service: Fully serviced, service documentation included

A rare opportunity to acquire an authentic early Enicar chronograph from the brand's most desirable vintage period.