Sherpa Jet Mk 3 (166-35-05)

[Garnix]

Hello everyone

I just picked up this lovely looking Enicar Sherpa Jet Mk 3, ref 166-35-05.



I found no references to this model in the “Time for a Change” There are so few references to this model in total that I assume very few were made. I believe mine dates to the early-mid 1970s, and it has an AR166 movement. I don’t know much more than that about it, but I’m hoping someone here may know a little bit more about this model.

Does anyone have any idea for how long the mk3 was in production, or how many were made? Was Enicar already in dire straits in the 1970s, or were mechanical models just falling out of favor?

Why are so few of these still seen?

Does anyone else have one they would care to share? I’d love to see the other versions and your strap choices (mine appears to still be on the original, OEM strap)


Here is the best resolution print ad for this model that I could find

 

[hns_panama]

Nice. Jets are among their most aesthetically pleasing designs. That movement, along with the other 160s is among the best ever made. Probably on the rare side as it’s from the late 60s to early 70s. IIRC, Enicar’s fortunes were heading down by then. But, I could be corrected on that.

 

[Garnix]

Nice. Jets are among their most aesthetically pleasing designs. That movement, along with the other 160s is among the best ever made. Probably on the rare side as it’s from the late 60s to early 70s. IIRC, Enicar’s fortunes were heading down by then. But, I could be corrected on that.

Thanks! I’ve found some interesting trivia since I posted this.

It seems the mk2 production ended in 1973, so this must date to around then, or shortly after. The print ad I found dates to 1973. I still don’t know much about their market standing, but what you say definitely tracks and would explain why so few mk3s are to be found.

Martijn Van Der Ven actually commented on my instagram post of this picture. Apparently this execution was the official watch of the Navy Blue Angels in the mid 1970s, which is very neat. He said that he only knows of three collectors with this model, so while I don’t have any data on production numbers, they can’t have been high.

 

[Slim]

These are my two Sherpa Jets. I'm still looking for the right second hand for one of them....

regards Alois

 

[azur33dg]

Hello gentlemen (@Garnix , @Slim ) I am doing a study on all the Enicar in cushion cases by collecting their serial numbers, which allows me to observe patterns in the series and maybe one day deduce a production number. For now, I only have 6 different serial numbers of this model. Would you be able to contact me via DM to give me yours? I may have already obtained it through IG or other contacts. Sorry for the duplicate.