Enicar
Lengnau, Switzerland · Est. 1913
Founded by Ariste Racine
Enicar was a Swiss watch brand from Lengnau, founded by the Racine family in 1913 (Enicar is Racine reversed). Famous for sports chronographs and the Sherpa line — connected to Himalayan expeditions — Enicar was a favourite of racing enthusiasts in the 1960s.
- Founded
- 1913
- Headquarters
- Lengnau, Switzerland
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Defunct
Ceased: 1988
Enicar struggled through the quartz crisis and ceased production around 1988, unable to compete in the shrinking mechanical watch market.
Racine spelled backwards — Enicar's Sherpas climbed Everest and its Jet Graphs timed laps, but the quartz avalanche buried them all.
Key Collections
- Sherpa Graph — Enicar's celebrated chronograph, produced from 1962, featuring the Valjoux 72 movement and distinctive twin-register dial, highly sought after by collectors today.
- Sherpa Guide — A robust sports watch with world-time function, part of the Sherpa line that commemorated the brand's association with Himalayan mountaineering expeditions.
- Jet Graph — A pilot's chronograph with GMT function, featuring a distinctive bezel and dial layout aimed at aviation professionals and enthusiasts.
- Ultrasonic — Enicar's flagship dress watch line from the 1960s, featuring automatic movements with enhanced water resistance and refined aesthetics.
Timeline
- 1913 — Ariste Racine founds the company in Lengnau, Switzerland, naming it Enicar (Racine spelled backwards).
- 1956 — Enicar watches accompany the Swiss Himalayan expedition, establishing the Sherpa line's connection to mountaineering.
- 1962 — Launch of the Sherpa Graph chronograph, which becomes the brand's most iconic and collectible timepiece.
- 1969 — Enicar sponsors motorsport events and gains popularity among racing enthusiasts, particularly in Asia and Europe.
- 1988 — Enicar ceases production, unable to recover from the quartz crisis that devastated the Swiss mechanical watch industry.
Frequently Asked Questions about Enicar
- When did Enicar stop making watches?
- Enicar ceased production around 1988, having struggled through the quartz crisis of the 1970s and 1980s without the resources to adapt or survive in the transformed market.
- Are Enicar watches still valuable?
- Vintage Enicar watches, particularly the Sherpa Graph chronographs with Valjoux 72 movements, have become highly collectible and can command significant prices at auction, often rivalling more famous Swiss brands from the same era.
- Can I still buy an Enicar watch today?
- Enicar watches are only available through the vintage market, including specialist dealers, auction houses, and online platforms. No new production exists, making original examples increasingly sought after.
- Why is Enicar spelled backwards?
- The brand name Enicar is simply 'Racine' reversed, honouring the founding family who established the company in Lengnau in 1913.
- What makes the Sherpa Graph special?
- The Sherpa Graph is prized for its high-quality Valjoux 72 chronograph movement, elegant twin-register dial design, and association with Himalayan expeditions, making it one of the most desirable vintage chronographs from a non-major brand.