THE ESSENTIALS
MAKE: ENICAR
MODEL: 1308 BaNCH
YEAR: 1961
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 40mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND
The 1960s and ’70s were a golden era for sports chronographs, with numerous iconic models emerging from historic manufacturers such as Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Universal Genève, and Heuer. Under the shadow of these big names, Enicar also produced a series of exceptional sports chronographs during the 1960s, gaining a cult following among collectors.
Enicar began as the Manufacture d’Horlogerie Ariste Racine in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1913, founded by husband-and-wife duo Ariste Racine and Emma Blatt. A year later, the pair renamed the company Enicar—“Racine” spelled in reverse. Over the following decades, Enicar steadily gained popularity thanks to its exceptional price-to-quality ratio. At the 44th Basel Watch Fair in 1960, Enicar released the Sherpa Graph, which in hindsight became one of the brand's most successful models, partly due to its association with legendary F1 driver Jim Clark, who famously wore the watch.
During a ten-year production run, around two dozen dial variations were created. What we have here is one of the most special: the ref. 1308 BaNCH, featuring a “reverse panda” MK1B dial. In total, only around 500 MK1B dials were ever made, across three different colours. Rarity aside, this is genuinely one of the best-looking watches ever made. Enicar did things their own way—the three-register dial is complemented by playful details, including a vibrant red chronograph hand, arrow hands on the subdials, and a silver tachymeter ring.
The watch’s beauty is only matched by its fantastic condition. The case appears to be untouched, with wonderfully thick lugs and bezel. The dial is in great shape—the lume on the markers and hands has developed a rich patina. It still glows brightly under UV light and fades quickly afterward. To complete the package, the watch comes on an ultra-rare Enicar-signed rivet bracelet, with virtually no stretch.
The only comparisons we can make are perhaps a Rolex 6239 or UG Evil Nina from the same era, which are both more common and costs a lot more. This watch has recently been inspected and is running perfectly at +4 s/d, 320 amplitude, with a 0.3 ms beat error. Out of the 100+ watches we have in stock, this is easily one of our most treasured.