bracelet or links needed

[vtompkins]

Dear Enicar Fans,

I have a nice 'Datejust' Enicar watch and the bracelet at full extension is a bit too small for me. I need either a new band or some links. Here is a description of the watch along with photos:

The number of the back of the watch is: 2169-51-32 AaCS. The back also says, 'INCABLOC', 'STAINLESS STEEL', 'AUTOMATIC', 'ENICAR', 'WATERRESISTANT'. And the back has the usual logo of waves, a leaping shark, and Saturn with its rings. The watch is automatic. It has a white/silver face with a slightly brushed vertical texture, a date under a magnifying window at 3:00, a curving band day-of-the-week window at 12:00, a small crystal jewel at 6:00, and the planet Saturn is gold with a grey ring and the word 'Enicar' in grey under it below 12:00. It has an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand. The bezel is notched all around like a Rolex Datejust. And the bezel and case are polished stainless steel. The crown has the Enicar mark—Saturn with its rings—on it. It's a lovely watch.

The stainless steel bracelet is somewhat similar to a 'grains of rice' band with 2 shortened grains of rice with a staggered grain between them and then a sort of truncated cylinder on either side. The bracelet starts at 19 mm at the lugs and tapers to 16 mm at the clasp. It has a simple folding clasp (not locking) that is stamped 'Enicar'. The length of the bracelet, including the closed clasp, is about 152 mm or about 6 inches. The lug-to-lug distance is about 43 mm or about 1.7 inches. The bracelet is in excellent condition.

Please see the photos.

I'd love to buy an entire bracelet or even 1 or 2 links from anyone.

Thanks for the help.

Yours,

Vinton

 

[jbcollier]

AFAIK, this watch was made after the Swiss company failed and was taken over by their Chinese distributor. I have seen similar watches up on ebay. You could watch there for another bracelet. Better would probably to just buy another new one and use the Enicar clasp.

 

[vtompkins]

Thanks, Jim, for this information. I suppose the quality is not as good as an original Enicar; is that true? It seems like a nice watch. I note that the 'Enicar' on the clasp is stamped, which may be a tip off that it's not the best. I'm curious what told you that it's from after the Swiss company failed. Was it the numbers of the back or something else? Thanks.

I'll keep looking for a bigger bracelet.

Yours,

Vinton

 

[jbcollier]

It's absolutely not a matter of quality. No one is quite sure who is making the Chinese company's watches but they are supposed to be from Switzerland. Whether that is just movements or cases as well, who can tell. The clasps from the earlier watches were stamped as well, BTW, no loss there. There are lots of good strap and band makers out there. You should have no problem finding one that fits and is aesthetically pleasing. If you want an exact replacement, watch ebay though you might have to buy another whole watch.

This list is focussed on the Swiss company's products, and, mostly on their tool watches from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Unfortunately the new Chinese owners just wanted the name and were not interested in any of the designs or parts. It would be an absolute godsend if they would take an interest and start making spare parts again.

Good luck in your search.

 

[vtompkins]

Thank you, jbcollier, for your well informed rely. I appreciate it, and will widen my search for a decent, off-brand bracelet. I have read that Enicar watches were (are?) popular in China and India, so perhaps that is why the Chinese company wanted the brand when the Swiss company went under. (I notice on eBay quite a few Enicar 'frankenwatches' offered by Indian watch refurbishers, suggesting that those businesses are working from a large supply of used Enicar watches in that country.) And yes, I twice reached out by emaqil to the current Enicar company on their website asking for links or a bracelet and have had no reply from them, even though, as you and another respondent told me, my watch is of recent manufacture. Thanks again.