Swiss watchmaker Eberhard & Co. is a brand known for diversity within its catalog, though it has probably garnered the most attention from collectors with its vintage-inspired modern watches. Among these are the Contograf chronograph, the Nuvolari Legend racing series, and, perhaps best known, the diving-focused Scafograf collection, which takes its inspiration from models in the 1950s and ‘60s.
This year, the brand unveiled the latest addition to the Scafograf family: the Scafograf 300 “MCMLIX” Edition, a neo-vintage model celebrating the 1959 origin of the series (historical model pictured above, via Watches of Knightsbridge Auctioneers). The watch is a classic example of a well-executed, mid-century-look diver, though with some brand-specific contemporary additions that make it worth a look. The new watch will be on display by the brand later this month during the WatchTime Live event, which you can learn more about here.
Taking a closer look at the new MCMLIX (i.e., the Roman numeral for 1959), we find — as the brand states — “a watch that has crossed two centuries.” Its case is moderately sized as far as dive watches are concerned, at 43 mm, and uses primarily a polished finishing throughout for its slightly rounded edges. Shortened crown guards, also somewhat round-edged, protect its well-proportioned, screw-down crown. Its 60-minute diving bezel is unidirectional and made of high-grade ceramic, with a black insert with faux-patina coloring for its scale.
Underneath the anti-reflective, domed sapphire glass is a relatively straightforward dial, highlighted with some unique details. The simple white minute ring around the outer edge is highlighted at each hour with either circular or oversized triangle printed markers; the triangles are the elements that distinguish the MCMLIX from the rest of the Scafograf collection and are a direct reference to the watch’s historical predecessors. The dial also includes a date window at the 3 o’clock position and interesting printed descriptors above and below the center of the face — like the vintage logo, cursive “automatic,” the name of the watch and the “300” indicating its 300-meter dive rating — with a vintage-influenced and lume-filled hand configuration sweeping over it all.
Inside the vintage-inspired Scafograf is a movement that Eberhard has declined to specify in its materials, though it is likely an ETA 2824-2, a well known and reliable movement used widely in dive watches, including many previous editions of the Scafograf. The caliber is automatic and features a 38-hour power reserve.
Overall, the Scafograf 300 “MCMLIX” is a new and interesting take on what was already a popular model. It was the original 2016 release that won the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) prize in the sports watch category that year, and so it seems appropriate the brand would further diversify the series, and do so by doubling down upon the well-received vintage influences.
The Eberhard & Co. Scafograf 300 “MCMLIX” Edition currently retails at 2,480 euros (or $2,919) on a leather or rubber strap, and somewhat higher, at 3,060 euros ($3,602) on a steel bracelet with deployment clasp.
To learn more about WatchTime Live, its sponsoring watch brands, and details on its schedule of presentations and panels, and to sign up for tickets to the event, click here.
The date window is so so ugly on 5he new model..the old one looks milion times better