ENICAR Sherpa Graph "Mk Ic" cal. Valjoux 72 / Jim Clark Model

The Sherpa Graph, a vintage chronograph from ENICAR — founded in 1854, with Saturn as its brand symbol — has arrived.

It is called the Jim Clark model because it was worn by the legendary Formula One world champion of the 1960s.

A former paratroop officer and an apprentice engineer at Rolls-Royce, Clark began racing at nineteen in a three-litre Bentley.

Produced from 1960 to 1969, the Sherpa Graph exists in many dial variations; this example is the version known as the Mk1c, introduced in 1963.

One way of identifying a Sherpa Graph version is the "TACHYMETER BASE 1000" marking on the inner tachymeter bezel.

The Mk1a version reads "TACHYMETER BASE 1000," the Mk1b has no marking at all, and from the Mk1c onward it reads "TACHYMETER."

This example is a Mk1c.

The case was made by EPSA (Ervin Piquerez SA), famous for the Super Compressor, and the caseback carries a four-leaf clover.

The crown has the famous crosshatch engraving found on Super Compressor diver's watches.

Marks 1 to 3 use the paddle hands particular to Enicar, as seen on early Graph series watches like this one, while the Mark 4 uses pencil hands.

The Valjoux 72 chronograph movement fitted to this watch is said to be the finest quality among chronograph movements and is highly regarded by collectors.

With servicing once every three or four years it is an excellent movement you can use for a lifetime, and a very precious one: even the movement alone still trades at ¥300,000–400,000.

A calm face design with a grey dial and sub-dials showing superb patinated burn, plus box indexes, lume and rectangular paddle-style hands, gives it a very distinctive character.

A dial with a good vintage burn gives off an exotic quality and will bring a warmth to how you dress.