Some time ago I came across this post by a Chinese gentleman describing how he purchased a rather interesting looking Enicar at an Antiquorum auction in Geneva. The watch in question:
It seems to be a Garnix with an Ocean Pearl chronograph setup (I tend to refer to the chronograph with colourful dial and green hands as an Ocean Pearl, not sure if it has an official name). Alternatively, it could be described as an Ocean Pearl chronograph in a Garnix case.
(what I mean by Ocean Pearl chronograph)
My initial estimate was that it's a frankenwatch made up of authentic parts (the bracelet also certainly doesn't belong to the watch; I don't know about the box). The use of the same dials in different Enicar watches is not without precedent though. I myself have a Garnix with the dial and handset that would primarily be associated with the Mitter chronograph, like this one (currently for sale on Chrono24 and not mine; also incorrectly described as some sort of transitional pre-Sherpa chronograph).
As can be seen on this page from a Japanese brochure, this was actually a model that was offered for sale at some point (bottom right).
What can also be seen in this brochure (bottom row, middle watch) is a model with the case of a Mitter or Ocean Pearl chronograph, but the all black dial that is most commonly seen on a Garnix. Searching online it's not difficult to find some pictures of this setup (handsets vary a little, so I'm not sure what would be correct).
Clearly, there are some dial and hand designs shared between the Mitter and the Garnix. Since the Ocean Pearl and the Mitter are pretty much the same watch (movement, case) except for the design of the dial and the colour of the hands, would it be too farfetched there may have been some overlap between the Ocean Pearl and the Garnix at some point? It's possible, but unlike some of the previously mentioned 'mixed models' I haven't been able to find any documentation or photos supporting this.
What's interesting is the description of the watch in question in the auction catalogue. The watch is described as 'property of the original Swiss family'.
Could this be the case and was it perhaps a one off made for a family member? Or is it simply an auction house trying to give a watch it's trying to sell some heritage? The gentleman who purchased the watch describes its condition, including movement, as almost new. Does this point to a frankenwatch made up of NOS parts? Or a one off that was treated with great care by its recipient?
To be honest, I was (and still am) somewhat sceptical. But what made me question my scepticism somewhat is this watch currently for sale on Chrono24 (also not mine, clearly):
Same dial as the watch above in a Garnix case, but this time with paddle hands. Those hands do correspond with the 'plain' case back (no dolphin/shark or whatever fish or aquatic mamal it is, that is generally seen on iterations with the more modern hands).
So what do we make of this? A couple of frankenwatches? A couple of one offs (or rather a two off)? A model variant that was created but never went into production? I don't know, but most people here have far greater knowledge on the subject than I so perhaps someone has some interesting views. All I know in the end is that I really like the look of that first Ocean Pearl Garnix. I prefer round cases over cushion/C-cases and the Garnix is the perfect size for me. And I do love the colours of the Ocean Pearl. A combination of the two makes an almost perfect Enicar chrono for me, but perhaps it's one that never was.
It seems to be a Garnix with an Ocean Pearl chronograph setup (I tend to refer to the chronograph with colourful dial and green hands as an Ocean Pearl, not sure if it has an official name). Alternatively, it could be described as an Ocean Pearl chronograph in a Garnix case.
(what I mean by Ocean Pearl chronograph)
My initial estimate was that it's a frankenwatch made up of authentic parts (the bracelet also certainly doesn't belong to the watch; I don't know about the box). The use of the same dials in different Enicar watches is not without precedent though. I myself have a Garnix with the dial and handset that would primarily be associated with the Mitter chronograph, like this one (currently for sale on Chrono24 and not mine; also incorrectly described as some sort of transitional pre-Sherpa chronograph).
As can be seen on this page from a Japanese brochure, this was actually a model that was offered for sale at some point (bottom right).
What can also be seen in this brochure (bottom row, middle watch) is a model with the case of a Mitter or Ocean Pearl chronograph, but the all black dial that is most commonly seen on a Garnix. Searching online it's not difficult to find some pictures of this setup (handsets vary a little, so I'm not sure what would be correct).
Clearly, there are some dial and hand designs shared between the Mitter and the Garnix. Since the Ocean Pearl and the Mitter are pretty much the same watch (movement, case) except for the design of the dial and the colour of the hands, would it be too farfetched there may have been some overlap between the Ocean Pearl and the Garnix at some point? It's possible, but unlike some of the previously mentioned 'mixed models' I haven't been able to find any documentation or photos supporting this.
What's interesting is the description of the watch in question in the auction catalogue. The watch is described as 'property of the original Swiss family'.
Could this be the case and was it perhaps a one off made for a family member? Or is it simply an auction house trying to give a watch it's trying to sell some heritage? The gentleman who purchased the watch describes its condition, including movement, as almost new. Does this point to a frankenwatch made up of NOS parts? Or a one off that was treated with great care by its recipient?
To be honest, I was (and still am) somewhat sceptical. But what made me question my scepticism somewhat is this watch currently for sale on Chrono24 (also not mine, clearly):
Same dial as the watch above in a Garnix case, but this time with paddle hands. Those hands do correspond with the 'plain' case back (no dolphin/shark or whatever fish or aquatic mamal it is, that is generally seen on iterations with the more modern hands).
So what do we make of this? A couple of frankenwatches? A couple of one offs (or rather a two off)? A model variant that was created but never went into production? I don't know, but most people here have far greater knowledge on the subject than I so perhaps someone has some interesting views. All I know in the end is that I really like the look of that first Ocean Pearl Garnix. I prefer round cases over cushion/C-cases and the Garnix is the perfect size for me. And I do love the colours of the Ocean Pearl. A combination of the two makes an almost perfect Enicar chrono for me, but perhaps it's one that never was.
