In conjunction with Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024, Eberhard & Co. presents two new chronographs: “Chronographe 1887 Édition Limitée,” in a limited edition of 250 pieces, and “Chronographe 1887 Automatique.”
The two timepieces enrich the “1887” collection inaugurated in 2019, which pays tribute to the founding date of the Swiss Maison and includes watches with exclusive calibres representing an unprecedented synthesis, in a contemporary key, of the brand’s rich history and DNA.
The two “Chronographe 1887” chronographs are the result of an in-depth “journey in time” undertaken by the Maison, which led to intense research and study. Each element characterising the chronographs, whether technical or aesthetic, was motivated by the desire to reinterpret in a new form the distinctive features of the chronographs that have made the history of the brand, which has always been recognised for its innovative and original choices.
The exploration has focused on the study of original chronographs from the 1930s and beyond, preserved at the Eberhard & Co. Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds, some of which are on display at the Eberhard & Co. booth at Watches and Wonders. These historic timepieces constitute the guidelines for the “Chronographe 1887,” a true source of formal and technical inspiration.
A special role is played by the element of the shield, which is also a central theme in the design of the Eberhard & Co. booth at the Geneva Salon. The emblem of the Bouclier Pointu, originally deposited as a poinçon de maîtres in 1892, is a strong symbol of authenticity, security, and solidity and has been a crucial element in the brand’s collections since the very beginning.
“Chronographe 1887 Édition Limitée” (ref. 31081) is a hand-wound mechanical chronograph in a limited edition of 250 pieces, while “Chronographe 1887 Automatique” (ref. 31082) is a self-winding mechanical chronograph.
The two timepieces are powered by two exclusive calibres developed in collaboration with Manufacture AMT, EB 280 for reference 31081 and EB 380 for reference 31082, characterised by a high level of technical and aesthetic refinement. The movements of both timepieces are equipped with a column wheel (“roue à colonnes”) and the fly-back complication, also known as “retour en vol”: a complication of chronograph mechanics that originated around the 1930s and was used by aviation pilots to time the various phases of flight.
For both chronographs, sophisticated customisation work was carried out on the structure of the movement, with impressive technical and aesthetic results that can be admired through the vitré caseback. A particularly noteworthy intervention is the creation of a special lever that allows the chronograph reset button to be displaced coaxially from the crown.
From an aesthetic perspective, the “Chronographe 1887” echoes the unmistakable lines of the historical Eberhard & Co. chronographs. This characterization is manifested through distinctive details, such as the vintage-style crown (in steel and water-resistant), with a coaxial pusher personalised with the letter “E”, the steel case with its sinuous lines, or the choice of offering different details for the hands of each of the two counters.
The proposal of dials is extremely refined and shows the presence of the spiral tachymeter scale (in the centre) and telemetric scale. The combinations of colours, details, finishes, and fine workmanship reflect the historical models and give the chronographs a special charm.
