Now that the end of the year is closing, I like to take a look at the vintage Enicar market. Let’s cut to the chase: the spectacular price development I have seen the last couple of years has slowed down and in some cases has reversed. The flagship chronographs have lost territory. There, I’ve said it.
Now we have that out of the way, I want to point out some other issues that I noticed. First, if you take a look at the sales listing on eBay, you’ll see that the number of items has doubled within 12 months. Unfortunately, the quality of most items is only so so. If you would remove the remakes, re-paints, double postings, small watch parts and frankenwatches, you will probably only have 25% left that is worth checking out. Interestingly, if a vintage watch box or another cute relic comes for sale, it grabs a high number and is usually gone fast.
Another thing: there are far less auctions and much more ‘buy it nows’. This only shows, as far as I see it, that sellers are not willing to take any risks. When you look at Chrono24, you’ll see the same pattern: the number of Enicar listings has gone from approx 100 in January to 156 in December. In my opinion, 80% of the stuff is overpriced. That is probably why nothing moves on that website.
So what is my take on the Enicar market? I think it is a great time to buy. Some amazing supercompressor Enicars (Super-Dive, Super-Jet, OPS) are now available for very interesting prices on websites like ChronoTrader and Omegaforums. Same goes for the 36mm supercompressors that seem to be struggling. Also, there are some fantastic Aqua Graph and Jet Graph models popping up for attractive prices. A lot has changed in a year and I’m not only talking Enicar. Many collectors I’ve spoken with seem to agree with me. This is what most of them had to say: “If only I had the funds…”
Anyway, I defined five categories, like before. These represent the most popular Enicar models and the ones I get asked about frequently. Condition is graded in three categories: Very good – mint, average – good and poor – fair. I use Euro in my estimates and I also use a bandwidth. As always, your comments are welcome.
The Sherpa Graphs
Sherpa Graph Mk I
- very good – mint: € 7.500 – € I honestly have no idea
- average – good: € 5.000 – € 7.500
- poor – fair: € 3.000 – € 4.000
Sherpa Graph Mk II
- very good – mint: € 6.500 – € 10.000
- average – good: € 4.500 – € 6.500
- poor – fair: € 3.000 – € 4.500
Sherpa Graph Mk III
- very good – mint: € 6.000 – € 8.000
- average – good: € 5.500 – € 6.000
- poor – fair: € 3.000 – € 4.500
Sherpa Graph Mk IV
- very good – mint: € 5.500 – € 7.500
- average – good: € 4.000 – € 5.500
- poor – fair: € 3.000 – € 4.000
Aqua Graph Mk I, II / Jet Graph Mk I, II
- very good – mint: € 5.000 – € 7.500
- average – good: € 4.000 – € 5.000
- poor – fair: € 3.000 – € 4.000
The other Graphs
Valjoux 72 chronograph, Ocean Pearl Interlagos
- very good – mint: € 2.500 – € 4.000
- average – good: € 1.800 – € 2.500
- poor – fair: € 1.000 – € 1.800
Valjoux 72 chronograph, cushion case: no changes
- very good – mint: € 2.500 – € 4.500
- average – good: € 1.800 – € 2.500
- poor – fair: € unknown – € 1.800
Valjoux 23 chronograph (for instance Big Eye)
- very good – mint: € 1.750 – € 2.500
- average – good: € 1.200 – € 1.750
- poor – fair: € 1.000 – € 1.200
Grapho-Matic: no changes
- very good – mint: € 1.750 – € 2.400
- average – good: € 750 – € 1.750
- poor – fair: € 500 – € 750
Mantagraph
- very good – mint: € 1.000 – € 1.750
- average – good: € 500 – € 1.000
- poor – fair: € 300 – € 500
The Supercompressors 40 mm
Sherpa Ultradive and OPS
- very good – mint: € 2.200 – € 4.000
- average – good: € 1.750 – € 2.200
- poor – fair: € 1.000 – € 1.750
Sherpa Super-Dive MkI and II, Super-Jet Mk I and II
- very good – mint: € 2.000 – € 3.200
- average – good: € 1.200 – € 2.000
- poor – fair: € 750 – € 1.200
Sherpa Super-Dive MkIII, Super-Jet Mk III: no changes
- very good – mint: € 1.750 – € 2.500
- average – good: € 1.400 – € 1.750
- poor – fair: € 1.000 – € 1.400
Other 40 mm supercompressors and beyond (Sherpa Dive, Sherpa Guide)
- very good – mint: € 1.250 – € 2.500
- average – good: € 750 – € 1.250
- poor – fair: € 500 – € 750
The Supercompressors 36 mm
Sherpa Super-Divette and Jet
- very good – mint: € 1.500 – € 2.250
- average – good: € 800 – € 1.500
- poor – fair: € 600 – € 800
Sherpa Divette
- very good – mint: € 1.250 – € 2.000
- average – good: € 750 – € 1.250
- poor – fair: € 500 – € 750
Sherpa GMT and World Time, new
- very good – mint: € 1.250 – € 1.900
- average – good: € 750 – € 1.250
- poor – fair: € 500 – € 750
The other Sherpas and power pieces
Sherpa Star Diver
- very good – mint: € 2.000 – € 2.500
- average – good: € 1.500 – € 2.000
- poor – fair: € 1.000 – € 1.500
Sherpa Star (37 mm)
- very good – mint: € 250 – € 400
- average – good: € 100 – € 250
- poor – fair: € 50 – € 100
Sherpa Memostar: no changes
- very good – mint: € 1.750 – € 2.500
- average – good: € 1.000 – € 1.750
- poor – fair: € 750 – € 1.000
Sherpa Seapearl 600, Healthways: no changes
- very good – mint: € 750 – € 1.500
- average – good: € 500 – € 750
- poor – fair: € 300 – € 500
‘Regular’ Sherpa (Date, Day-Date)
- very good – mint: € 200 – € 350
- average – good: € 150 – € 200
- poor – fair: € 75 – € 150
Sherpa Electric
- very good – mint: € 300 – € 500
- average – good: € 150 – € 300
- poor – fair: € 100 – € 150
DISCLAIMER: All photos used are from my own personal archive. I don’t want to valuate a specific watch that is not mine. Also, my estimates are not official watch dealer prices, no guaranteed sale gainings and no official asking prices. This Watch Value Barometer is nothing more than my own personal opinion of the current (December 2018) market value of the Enicar watches mentioned.
