Marie de Pimodan
In 1940, Eberhard & Co. unveiled its very first Extra-Fort chronograph. The brand’s watchmakers likely had no idea that it would go on to inspire several generations of chronographs, culminating in this contemporary version: the Extra-fort Roue à Colonnes Retour en Vol.
From the original model, Eberhard & Co. has retained a few distinctive features, such as the slim bezel atop the case, the shape of the chronograph pushers and the classic layout of the subdials, with the 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and the small seconds at 9 o'clock.
As for the rest, everything has changed. The blued pomme-style hands, Arabic numerals, crown silhouette and fine tapered lugs of that era have given way to design elements firmly rooted in a modern style.
On the back, the sapphire display back of the new Extra-Fort offers a clear view of the blued column wheel of the chronograph, possibly an aesthetic nod to the 1940s Extra-Fort chronograph.
Sophie Furley
The journalist in me loves the play on words with this timepiece that starts with the name “retour en vol”, or “flyback” in English. Not only do the hands fly back – allowing the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single press on the chronograph pusher – but this timepiece was also originally designed for pilots back in the 1940s.
There is also another connection to flying as Eberhard’s headquarters and museum are based in the Maison d’Aigle in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This historic building is guarded by a majestic stone eagle that looks down on passers-by from the roof. The eagle was returned to the building in an important restoration project after the town was awarded UNESCO Heritage Site status in 2019. It has become somewhat of a mascot for the brand today, linking its past to its present.
Steven Rogers
The dial of this Extra-fort Roue à Colonnes Retour en Vol exhibits a neat balance of detail and design smarts. At its centre, the raised frappé finish creates eye-catching texture, beautifully offset by the silvered azuré finish of the chronograph 30-minute counter and small seconds subdial. Meanwhile, the applied Roman numerals and rhodium-plated dauphine hands really pop against the deep blue background.
Around the edge of the dial, a tachymeter scale offers added utility for measuring speed over a known distance. And not to be overlooked, the discreet date window at 6 o’clock provides both practicality and symmetry, seamlessly blending into the overall aesthetic.
Mathieu Rotzer
The party piece of the Extra-fort Roue à Colonnes Retour en Vol is, of course, the column wheel and flyback complication. When I first saw the watch and put it on my wrist, however, it was the case design and, more particularly, the wearability that impressed me the most.
The steel case has a beautiful polished finished on all edges which, to my eyes, enhance the presence of the piece on the wrist. With this polished finish, extending even to the pushers, the watch pops under any lighting conditions. Difficult to photograph, but beautiful to wear and look at!
The 41mm case sits perfectly on the wrist, being neither too big nor too small, allowing for the perfect blend between elegance and sportiness. To me, a chronograph should be comfortable, feel robust and exude quality. With its dimensions and beautiful finishing, it is fair to say that Eberhard & Co. have nailed the brief!
Brice Lechevalier
It’s not in the rearview mirror, but on the home straight that you want to look at Eberhard & Co.’s Extra-Fort chronograph featuring column wheel and flyback function.
In its reverse panda dial version, paired with a dark blue leather strap, it exudes a touch of retro charm, elevating it slightly from the traditional track aesthetic, yet it maintains optimal readability in terms of both time and chronograph functions as well as the date at 6 o’clock.
The classical look comes to the fore with the all-silver version, while, unsurprisingly, the panda version with a steel bracelet brings out this piece’s sportier character.
On the back, the Geneva wave-decoration evokes the automotive engines that are central to the Eberhard universe. With five different versions, this collection is sure to delight any gentleman driver!
