Serviced 1960 Vintage Enicar Big Eye Chronograph Watch Tropical Valjoux 23 Date

Enicar Big‑Eye Chronograph | Valjoux 234 | Reverse Panda | Circa 1960s | Serviced

Chronographs have always held a special place in the world of watchmaking. From early two‑register designs prized for their simplicity, to the legendary three‑register movements such as the Omega 321 and 861, Zenith El Primero, Venus, Landeron, and the iconic Valjoux family, these watches represent the perfect blend of mechanical ingenuity and functional beauty.

Among these, the Valjoux 234 , which is differentiated by the date window, stands out as one of the most desirable and technically refined hand‑wound chronograph calibers of its era — a higher‑beat evolution of the Valjoux 23 family, produced in far smaller quantities and now considered a collector’s movement.

Enicar, founded in 1914 by Ariste Racine, produced some of the most distinctive chronographs of the 1960s and 1970s. Their racing‑inspired “Big‑Eye” designs, oversized minute registers, and bold color accents have become highly collectible. This example captures everything enthusiasts love about vintage Enicar chronographs: character, rarity, and unmistakable design language.

📌 Description

This is a beautiful and increasingly rare Enicar Big‑Eye Reverse Panda Chronograph powered by the Valjoux 234 — one of the most sought‑after hand‑wound chronograph movements of the era. The watch features a striking reverse panda dial with tropical aging, an oversized Big‑Eye minute register, and an orange chronograph seconds hand and orange chronograph minute register paired with orange timing blocks outlined on the minute register (0–5, 10–15, 20–25). These segments were designed for quick‑read timing during racing and aviation intervals.

The watch remains in impressive condition for its age, with honest wear, strong presence, and excellent mechanical performance. It was serviced by the previous owner and is now part of our Certified Pre‑Owned (CPO) program.

A true collector’s piece — very few examples remain with this movement, configuration, and condition.

📏 Specifications

• Brand: Enicar
• Model: Big‑Eye Chronograph
• Reference: 232‑01‑02
• Case: Stainless steel, tonneau‑shaped, some scratches and pitting
• Case Size: 37.00 mm (without crown), 41.00 mm lug‑to‑lug
• Case Back: Stainless steel screw‑back, worn but still shows shell emblem
• Crown: Unsigned
• Crystal: Acrylic (some scratches)
• Bezel: None (inner tachymeter scale)
• Dial: Reverse panda with tropical fading, Big‑Eye minute register, orange timing blocks, orange chronograph seconds hand, date at 6, lume on hands & indices
• Complications: Chronograph, seconds, date, tachymeter
• Movement: Manual‑winding Valjoux 234 (rare), modified from Valjoux 232
• Movement Notes: Inspected and running. 
• Strap: Genuine leather, 20mm lug width
• Box: Generic Box
• Made In: Switzerland
• Water Resistance: Not water‑resistant (pressure test required)

🛠️ Service & Certification

• Service Level: Level 2 – Serviced by previous owner (2017)
• Timing Test: ≈ +9 s/day (in‑house test)
• CPO Status: Passed 30‑point inspection
• Warranty: Service Warranty

All watch functions are tested and operable. Circa 1960s. Any timekeeping observation is a snapshot in time and not a guarantee of future accuracy.

📦 Notes

This is a highly collectible vintage chronograph with a rare movement and desirable configuration. Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the description. Contact us with any questions.

📚 Chronograph History & Collector’s Insight

Having a deep appreciation for complications naturally leads to a passion for chronograph watches. Two‑register chronographs offer dial balance and simplicity, while three‑register chronographs showcase mechanical complexity and historical importance. Legendary calibers such as the Omega 321 and 861 (famously worn during the Moon landing), Zenith El Primero, Venus movements used by Breitling, Landeron calibers, and the Valjoux family — especially the Valjoux 72 found in vintage Rolex Pre‑Daytona models — define the golden era of chronography.

One of the most iconic examples is the Patek Philippe reference 2499, powered by the Valjoux 88. Another personal favorite is the Heuer Caliber 11, the world’s first automatic micro‑rotor chronograph with a date complication.

The term “chronograph” comes from the Greek words chronos (time) and graph (to write). The first modern chronograph was created in 1816 by Louis Moinet for astronomical observation, capable of measuring 1/60th of a second — an extraordinary achievement for its time.

“Poor Man’s Heuer” chronographs represent a fascinating chapter in Heuer’s history, referring to watches manufactured by Heuer for other brands such as Zodiac and Clebar. Many watches marketed under this label today were not produced by Heuer, so collectors should exercise caution.

Enicar, founded in 1914 by Ariste Racine (whose surname spelled backward forms the brand name), produced a wide range of innovative designs before the Quartz Crisis forced the company to close in 1987. While the name survives today, it is no longer the original Enicar S.A.

The example offered here features a distinctive tonneau‑shaped case, a highly legible Big‑Eye minute register at 3 o’clock, constant seconds at 9 o’clock, and a date aperture at 6 o’clock. The oversized minute counter was designed for racing applications, allowing quick elapsed‑time readings. The reverse panda dial shows tropical aging, engine‑turned registers, and vivid orange accents — all hallmarks of a true vintage racing chronograph.