Enicar Sherpa Super Divette: Super Compressor!

Today’s “Watch A Day” is one that surprised me. I bought this Enicar Sherpa Super Divette on a whim, not realizing the beautiful shape and historical importance of the watch. Now it’s one of my favorites, a vintage diver with a stylish Tropic strap!

This Enicar Sherpa is a vintage diver in beautiful shape, with a Super Compressor case and Tropic rubber strap

I’ve never been into dive watches, but this one caught my eye. It has plenty of vintage style, with the silver sunburst dial and contrasting gloss black internal dive timer bezel making a great first impression. Look deeper and the fat, inverted lume dots at 6, 9, and 12 call attention to the similar spot on the “pomme” seconds hand. Then there are the twin crowns and the massive crystal. It’s really a great look, even though it’s tiny by today’s standards.

Those crowns are the hallmark of another important aspect of this Sherpa. It uses the legendary EPSA Super Compressor case, one of the first true waterproof technologies. This same multi-part case was used by many watchmakers, notably Longines, Hamilton, and Jaeger-LeCoultre, but Enicar had their own twist, the bayonet back. Combine these elements and you have a serious dive watch.

Super Compressor cases usually feature these “crosshatch” crowns and a thick vintage crystal

Inside the case is an Enicar 1145B automatic movement. Although it beats at just 18,000 A/h it’s an up to date movement with Incabloc shock protection and extra jewels on the minute wheel and automatic transmission wheel. It’s keeping excellent time despite an unknown service history.

The Tropic strap is another great vintage detail. Developed in the 1960’s, they were commonly used on dive watches and remain popular today. Mine is a modern reproduction with proper details and clasp. It looks right at home on the Super Divette!

Enicar was a well-respected brand until the quartz crisis. The company remained independent of the consolidated Swiss watch industry that became the Swatch Group and was declared insolvent in 1987. Having had strong success in China before the cultural revolution, the brand was purchased by Wah Ming Hong of Hong Kong and continues to produce and sell watches today.

I’m wearing and blogging about a different watch from my collection each day of April, 2018. Check back here for our “Watch A Day” series, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook!