A destroyed Vintage Enicar Sherpa Ops with a wonderful story. Full restoration of this diving watch

[HorologyBiology]

In this episode Horology Biology is knee deep with an Enicar Sherpa Ops MKIII that needs some serious TLC.
A watch with a lovely story behind it. I was contacted a few weeks ago to see if I could revive this lovely beaten up Ops which has great sentimental value to the owner.

A full restoration of how I brought this historical gem back from the dead.

 

[Jimbo85281]

Awesome video! I have an ops being delivered Tuesday. It looks like it was probably only worn for a few months and then put away.

Do we know roughly how many Ops were made throughout the years? I would imagine it was somewhat limited in nature and the fact that they look quite bad when beat up probably contributed to many being tossed in the trash. @HorologyBiology

 

[JimJupiter]

Awesome video! I have an ops being delivered Tuesday. It looks like it was probably only worn for a few months and then put away.

Do we know roughly how many Ops were made throughout the years? I would imagine it was somewhat limited in nature and the fact that they look quite bad when beat up probably contributed to many being tossed in the trash. @HorologyBiology

Probably around 5.000+ OPS and same number of ultradives. At least thats what I can anticipate from the current serial numbers I have. That sounds a lot, but it isn't.

Nico

 

[Jimbo85281]

Probably around 5.000+ OPS and same number of ultradives. At least thats what I can anticipate from the current serial numbers I have. That sounds a lot, but it isn't.

Nico

Yeah that's a very small number. I have a Heuer Viceroy and I believe collectors have said they made about 5000 of those too. But in my experience it seems like they're much, much more abundant than the Ops or Ultradive. I wonder if that's because a large number of Ops and Ultra Dives just disappeared? They didn't have the household name recognition of Heuer so maybe many were abused and worn out?

 

[HorologyBiology]

Awesome video! I have an ops being delivered Tuesday. It looks like it was probably only worn for a few months and then put away.

Do we know roughly how many Ops were made throughout the years? I would imagine it was somewhat limited in nature and the fact that they look quite bad when beat up probably contributed to many being tossed in the trash. @HorologyBiology

Many thanks

I was going to suggest asking Jimjupiter as I believe he is trying to put a serial list together of these but I see he has already replied

Speaking of trashed, so the owner of this Ops in the video who's father was an Enicar dealer informed me that apparently all the siblings received an Ops from their father. Super nice dad damn! but as it stands they had no idea that these things have value and only 2 are known in the family now.

I will be receiving the second one (from the brother) soon.

It would be great if the other kids can find the other ones

 

[Jimbo85281]

Many thanks

I was going to suggest asking Jimjupiter as I believe he is trying to put a serial list together of these but I see he has already replied

Speaking of trashed, so the owner of this Ops in the video who's father was an Enicar dealer informed me that apparently all the siblings received an Ops from their father. Super nice dad damn! but as it stands they had no idea that these things have value and only 2 are known in the family now.

I will be receiving the second one (from the brother) soon.

It would be great if the other kids can find the other ones

My Ops landed today! Look at the stunning condition! It seriously almost looks new The dial is perfect. Just some dust in there and some marks on the crystal. I seriously doubt this was worn for more than a year in its lifetime.

 

[JimJupiter]

congrats, looks absolutly like I would expect a minty OPS. Matte greyish finish, that will become black and more shiny with time.
Is the serial 886.311? If yes, thats the latest known OPS so far

 

[Jimbo85281]

congrats, looks absolutly like I would expect a minty OPS. Matte greyish finish, that will become black and more shiny with time.
Is the serial 886.311? If yes, thats the latest known OPS so far

Yep! That's the serial. Cool to know it's the latest! What year would that put production at approximately?

I opened it up and it looks nice inside. All the rubber suspension pieces are in place which is cool.

 

[HorologyBiology]

It looks super nice indeed congrats.

just be careful handling it opened though as that gasket looks ruined and flaky. Get it replaced if you can but it will fall to pieces by the looks of things and you don’t want the bits flying in the movement.

lovely looking ops

 

[Jimbo85281]

It looks super nice indeed congrats.

just be careful handling it opened though as that gasket looks ruined and flaky. Get it replaced if you can but it will fall to pieces by the looks of things and you don’t want the bits flying in the movement.

lovely looking ops

Yes! I'll be taking that out asap. From your video it looked like the inner diameter was 32.6 correct?

 

[HorologyBiology]

Yeah that seemed to fit nice,