Enicar was founded in 1913 by husband and wife team Ariste Racine and Emma Blatt. The Racine name had already been trademarked during their long family history of watchmaking, which prompted Emma to suggest reversing the name to Enicar. During the 1930s, Enicar was noted for being popular in China. By the 1950s, The brand became insolvent by late 1987, with assets being sold to Gerd-Ruediger Lang and formed the foundation of Chronoswiss.
The following year in 1988, the Enicar name was purchased by Hong Kong-based jewelry and watch company Wah Ming Hong Ltd. which remains the current owner.
Sherpa Graph and Formula One
Sir Stirling Moss became an Enicar brand ambassador in 1957, and followed by Jim Clark after the introduction of the Sherpa Graph in 1960. Moss would also become associated with the famous chronograph through advertisements. Gerhard Mitter also signed with Enicar in 1969, with Phil Hill and Innes Ireland also reported to have worn Enicar watches.
Geoff Duke
Grand Prix motorcycle racer and six-time Isle of Man TT winner Geoff Duke was also an Enicar ambassador towards the end of his racing career, in the late 1950s.
The Enicar Book
Dutch author and copywriter Martjin van der Ven announced the completion of his book Time for a Change, Discovering Vintage Enicar in December of 2019. The book details the history of Enicar from 1950 to 1970 and contains a chapter about the brand’s involvement in sports, including Formula One and Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
Related Pages
References
https://vintagewatchinc.com/enicar/
https://enicar.org/2019/11/14/champions-prefer-enicar/
https://enicar101.com/2021/12/08/1960s-formula-1-drivers-and-the-enicar-sherpa-graph/