One often notices the uniqueness of a watch: a dial, a shape, a color. More rarely that of a watch brand, of which the most modern are generally all about large industrial buildings. Eberhard & Co. is a notable exception, since in 2019 the company returned to its original premises in La Chaux-de-Fonds, majestically topped by an eagle and now home to the brand’s headquarters and museum.
These inspirations are clearly behind Eberhard & Co’s latest Chronographe Extra-Fort model. This 41mm timepiece draws on the brand’s heritage, available in four delightfully vintage blue and silver-toned iterations. But above all, this is the first time the model has been offered in a flyback chronograph version. This complication enables the chronograph to be restarted immediately without having to go through the intermediate stop and reset stages. It is particularly prized for measuring (without any interruption) successive durations such as circuit laps and was originally used by 1930s pilots to facilitate the timing of various flight phases.
The Extra-Fort spells out this capacity in full at 6 o’clock, with a dainty ‘handwritten’ indication just above the date. The other signature feature appears on the back, where the column wheel – the heart driving this flyback function – is visible through a dedicated aperture. The precious organ appears in a blued finish, a rarity that collectors will doubtless appreciate. Depending on the version, the watch is available with a leather strap or steel bracelet.
This article is an excerpt from the upcoming GMT XXL Switzerland Magazine, debuting at Geneva Watch Days August 29th. Pre-order your copy here.
