Enicar Sherpa Gaph Mk1a for auction at Bukowskis

[JimJupiter]

Bukowskis is selling one of 500 Mk1a (Serial 272.535) in their upcoming auction on April 20th. Will be interesting to see where it ends. The estimate seems to be rather low.
Things I noticed:

- Missing pusher
- chrono second hand is bend
- no movement shots (maybe they can't open it, due the the bayonet casbeack)
- Dial and hands are in great shape
- case looks worn but unpolished
- Vasa Expedition provenance

I guess this is a nice chance to get one of these watches. Lets see where it ends.

Enicar, Sherpa Graph, chronograph, "Mark 1a", “Gladius hands”, “Tachymetre Base 1000”, "Stirling Moss". - Bukowskis

<b>Case size:</b> 40 mm <b>Material:</b> steel <b>Movement:</b> manual, Valjoux 72 <b>Year:</b> circa 1960 <b>Crystal:</b> plastic crystal <b>Bracelet:<...

www.bukowskis.com

Nico

 

[Hugger69]

Yes, this is very interesting to follow and I’ve been a little involved behind the scenes of this one!

The watch was found in a drawer among other abandon watches.
All of the watches belonged to the grandfather of the girl who now put it out for auction! She inherited it when the grandfather passed away. Originally they said the grandfather got this watch on his 30:th birthday and that year was 1962. I haven’t heard about the “Wasa” relations before but it could be correct I guess!

A collector friend to the family was asked if he could check the drawer if there could be anything of interest....
He posted it at the Swedish watch forum “Klocksnack” wondering if this was a real deal Graph.

I saw the watch noticed the interesting details, asked some questions, finally got the serial number, checked it out on Nico’s web site and, boom there it was, one of the first MK 1a Sherpa Graph watches!

I’ve also told the family to service and gently restore the watch and keeping it in Sweden due to the provenience.
The decided not and now this unique watch is out on the market!

 

[JimJupiter]

The Vasa connection is true for sure. I was in contact with the daughter of the owner and she send me these pics of the Vasa Museum. You can see her father Sven Bengtsson there, working on the canvas of the Vasa.

 

[Hugger69]

The Vasa connection is true for sure. I was in contact with the daughter of the owner and she send me these pics of the Vasa Museum. You can see her father Sven Bengtsson there, working on the canvas of the Vasa.

View attachment 2571View attachment 2572View attachment 2573View attachment 2574

Such cool pictures and proof of provenience!

 

[Hugger69]

...and if you look closely isn't there something odd with the lower pusher already back then?
Is it just me or but it looks to me that the lower pusher doesn't stick out as much as the one above, the start/stop-pusher?

 

[JimJupiter]

No, you are right. I had seen it too. The Pusher was allready missing in 1975 (the date of the pics). I guess around then it went into the drawer.

 

[jbcollier]

You sure would not want to restore a watch with this kind of documented history.

 

[Hugger69]

You sure would not want to restore a watch with this kind of documented history.

That was my suggestion as well!
A new pusher and a gentle service to get it running again is to preserve the watch for the future and it doesn't cost more than €4-500.......but now it´s up to the new owner, and maybe it´s you?

 

[JimJupiter]

You sure would not want to restore a watch with this kind of documented history.

You would leave it like that? I would also fix the pusher and second hand and give the movement a treatment. Btw the Movement is running. I guess this is an information they forgot in the description

@Hugger69 : Maybe you link this post here at Klocksnack, so the Swedish guys also can see the information we share here?

Nico

 

[Hugger69]

You would leave it like that? I would also fix the pusher and second hand and give the movement a treatment. Btw the Movement is running. I guess this is an information they forgot in the description

@Hugger69 : Maybe you link this post here at Klocksnack, so the Swedish guys also can see the information we share here?

Nico

Yup, I thought of that too....

 

[jbcollier]

I dunno, it would be like replacing the back of one of the Graphs Jim Clark had engraved and gave to his mechanics. Certainly service and clean the watch. Maybe replace the missing pusher* but I would leave the bent seconds hand alone. To my mind, this is a case where the value of the human connection out-weighs the object's value. Too much restoration is just erasing that connection.

* Even that, I don't know. You have a period photo with him wearing the watch and the pusher missing.

 

[JimJupiter]

They added a movement pic. Looks good to me, even the "4" is visible

 

[JimJupiter]

Strong result: ca. 16.000€ including buyers premium

 

[SteveHarris]

We have talked about these being worth this for a while now, it's just great to see one come up at auction that has tested the market. They're just so rare, it doesn't happen very often at all.

It may look a strong price now, but I have no doubt that will be a cracking investment for someone in the years to come

 

[Hugger69]

We have talked about these being worth this for a while now, it's just great to see one come up at auction that has tested the market. They're just so rare, it doesn't happen very often at all.

It may look a strong price now, but I have no doubt that will be a cracking investment for someone in the years to come

Second that!