Eberhard & Co. Pre-Extra Fort Tri-Compax One Button Chronograph Calibre 16000 40mm Case
We are currently looking at the rarest chronograph we've yet to offer for over 10 years. This is a extremely rare Eberhard & Co. three register one button chronograph. The case is a stepped fully stainless steel 40mm diameter case showing little wear. The case features a full polish finish except for the case back which is brushed finish. I estimate the age of this watch to be late 1930's and before the name Extra Fort was used. This watch was actually their first (and for the world) 3 register w/hour counter chronograph. The watch was primarily used in military, motor sport, medical and technical applications. The original silver dial is beautiful - hard to really catch in the pictures. As shown in the photo's, the dial has age marks and some spidering especially around 4 O'clock. All of the hands on the watch are original and blued steel. In some of the photo's the 30min subdial appears much lighter in color than the others but it is not; all the hands have a very similar tone. The dial and all its components and the movement are guaranteed genuine. Now let's get to the very special part that makes this so rare. This Eberhard is executed using the calibre 16000. These are not just rare; but especially rare in a tri-compax configuration. This is a one button chronograph. The top pusher manages all the functions; start, stop and reset. The bottom button is actually a slider that locks the top pusher so that no mishaps can happen. When the bottom button is slid up toward the crown, the top pusher will not operate. When slid back down toward the lug; the top pusher then is fully functional. This piece was just overhauled and is keeping time within 10 seconds per day; all chronograph functions work properly and all dials reset to zero as they should. This Swiss markings on the bottom of the dial are so far down that you have to take the case apart to see it clearly. However, under magnification, you can see the top of the writing with the movement and case intact. This is not uncommon, watches of this age expand and contract due to temperature over in this case about 80 years. So things can move just the slightest - especially the dial. There are no comparable sales found at the time of this listing; however, it is inferior due to the case type (base metal it appears) and only two registers; albeit their dial is in slightly better condition. That said, this watch is a collectors dream, a holy grail of chronographs or if you just like the watch and have the money and want to wear it...you may do that as well. The 40mm case makes this vintage piece look to today's standards of sports model case sizes. We are passing it along well below market value based on our pricing policy that watches are priced based on margin. That's why is some cases during the year we see something like this; a very expensive important vintage watch at a price as if we don't know what it is. Best of luck - I wouldn't wait long, price is firm. The stock photo is from the newly re-establishment of this brand, their amazing chronograph history can be found here: Eberhard Watches. The photo (same shown here as a stock image) of our watch is on their history page. I actually think they were unable to acquire one and it may be an image from an old advert or sketches of saved company history. This watch is presented on a slightly used vintage strap; although it really deserves something special I think,
