The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

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I only knew Enicar by name. The famous brand created by the Racine family, whose name is simply theirs spelled backward.

I just happened to stumble across this one on an auction site. No box or papers, but that didn't matter, I really liked it. And I was lucky enough to win the auction because it wasn't all that popular.
I had the watch serviced as soon as I got it, and it ran like clockwork. Apart from being a bit stiff when winding it, it keeps good time, reads well, and has a little piece of history on it. I was thinking of reselling it, but in the end, I grew attached to it.

The legendary Sherpa D 600 from Enicar

I've known about Eska for over a year, and their watches have always caught my eye.

But it did take me a while to make up my mind. Actually, the simplicity and understated elegance of this watch appealed to me, and then the conversations with one of its new owners (Sinicha) sealed the deal.

Because for me, it's not just about the watch or the price; it's also about the story behind it. So, it's a historic brand, somewhat forgotten and then revived by two bold entrepreneurs, and that... that really resonated with me because it takes courage to take over a brand, just as much as it takes courage to create one.

An engaging diver's watch, and like a tool watch

When I landed on the Venezianico website, I was looking for an Italian watch.

Not so much out of curiosity, but because of a part of my heritage. And then, bam! It turns out it's a Venetian brand, where my grandparents are from. So I jumped at the chance, browsed their website, and was pleasantly surprised. More than just watches, they're true works of art. They sometimes release special dials that nod to Venice's history with China. But the one that really caught my eye, especially because of its depth, is the Ultra Black. Incredibly understated (it only has three hands and the brand logo), and with a dial treatment that creates a deep black, this model also gives off subtle bluish reflections with its crystal. A gem to have in your collection and to wear out in the evening.

A sober and very elegant Italian woman

Last year, I wanted to buy a watch from my birth year: 1975.
I didn't have a specific brand in mind, but I wondered which ones had made their mark during that period. SEIKO seemed like the obvious choice. I mentioned it to a friend who recommended another watchmaker specializing in that brand. After that, it was almost like a game. He offered me four watches from my birth year. I chose this one immediately (even though the others were very beautiful). Its teal dial, its compact size, and the fact that it was already a technological advancement for its time. This 23-jewel LM Special captivated me. The watchmaker who sold it to me even gave it a little restoration.
I don't wear it every day, but when I do, it gets quite a reaction, especially when I mention its age and the fact that it's as well-preserved (or better) than I am. :)

A pure beauty that has not aged over time

For a long time, I'd wanted to own a pre-owned Yema. The brand holds a special place in my heart. On the one hand, its origins and longevity, but also the initials of my wife, my daughters, and myself.

I was specifically looking for a Rallygraf. When I came across the ad for this one, I was instantly captivated. Its almost pearly white dial and red stripes truly reminded me of racing cars from years past.
This chronograph runs beautifully and looks fantastic with its black racing leather strap. The icing on the cake is that this model seems to be quite rare.

A Rallygraf representative of races from yesteryear

I discovered SYE at Time Fest in Bordeaux in 2025. There were many other brands with watches, each as beautiful as the next. But I was truly captivated by SYE and Arnaud, its creator.

It was primarily the innovative design of the strap that won me over. It blends seamlessly with the watch, is comfortable, and practical.

Moreover, it's easy to change. I chose the Bullitt Titanium and added a strap. The dial offers stunning reflections, and the hour markers and hands stand out beautifully.

This Bullitt is incredible, I've fallen in love with it

<p><strong>Enicar</strong> is a watch brand founded in <strong>1913</strong> in La Chaux-de-Fonds by Ariste Racine and Emma Racine-Blatt, the name being the palindrome of &ldquo;Racine&rdquo;.</p>
<h3>A horological palindrome: from La Chaux-de-Fonds to Longeau</h3>
<p>The workshop began in the family home before expanding, after World War I, to a much larger site in Longeau/Lengnau near Biel/Bienne; <strong>this move anchored the young company in an industrial cluster that would become a Swiss watchmaking stronghold</strong>. Very early on, the brand signed its dials &ldquo;Enicar&rdquo;, mixing in-house &ldquo;AR&rdquo; movements and third-party &eacute;bauches depending on the line.</p>
<p>The precise &ldquo;birth year&rdquo; differs across sources: some cite 1913, others 1914, while widespread dial branding accelerates from 1919 onwards; <strong>this minor discrepancy is acknowledged by brand historians (information not confirmed)</strong>.</p>
<h3>Sherpa: from the Himalayas to pit lanes</h3>
<p>In May 1956, <em>Seapearl</em> watches accompanied the Swiss expedition to Lhotse and Everest, a founding episode that inspired the &ldquo;Sherpa&rdquo; name for exploration and dive lines; <strong>this field-testing strategy fixed the image of a purpose-built tool made for demanding environments</strong>. Over the following decade, more than a hundred Sherpa variants appeared (divers, travel watches, chronographs), shaping Enicar&rsquo;s identity.</p>
<p>By the early 1960s, the <strong>Enicar Sherpa Graph</strong> had reached the racetracks and earned the esteem of top drivers; although the exact references worn by Jim Clark remain debated among specialists, the Graph&rsquo;s connection to motorsport is now widely accepted; <strong>it stands as Enicar&rsquo;s quintessential &ldquo;racing&rdquo; chronograph (with some iconographic details still unconfirmed)</strong>.</p>
<h3>&ldquo;Super Compressor&rdquo; cases and the &ldquo;Ultrasonic&rdquo; label</h3>
<p>Technically, Enicar&rsquo;s dive lines adopted EPSA twin-crown <em>Super Compressor</em> cases whose water-resistance increases with pressure; <strong>this easily spotted architecture&mdash;knurled crowns and an inner rotating bezel&mdash;became one of Enicar&rsquo;s signatures in the 1950s-1960s</strong>. References such as the Seapearl 600, Ultradive and Super-Dive exemplify this functional maturity.</p>
<p>In parallel, &ldquo;Ultrasonic&rdquo; appeared on dials and ads to highlight parts-cleaning practice, alongside house slogans like &ldquo;Star Jewels&rdquo; and &ldquo;Oil-Stop&rdquo;; <strong>this was marketing language rooted in workshop realities but foremost meant to reassure the wearer</strong>. The overall effect supported a clear &ldquo;reliable tool&rdquo; positioning rather than a spec-sheet arms race.</p>
<h3>Key families and representative models</h3>
<p>The historical catalogue is structured into clear families, each addressing a concrete use-case; <strong>Enicar&rsquo;s logic is less about one flagship and more about complementary ranges</strong>.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Enicar Sherpa Graph</strong> &mdash; tri-compax &ldquo;racing&rdquo; chronograph, balanced proportions and utilitarian presence.</li>
<li><strong>Enicar Jet Graph</strong> &mdash; aviation-leaning chronograph with 24-hour reading and travel cues.</li>
<li><strong>Enicar Aqua Graph</strong> &mdash; dive chronograph with reinforced sealing and high-contrast markers.</li>
<li><strong>Enicar Sherpa Guide</strong> &mdash; travel/tool watch with inner bezel, 24-hour scale and city ring.</li>
<li><strong>Enicar Ultradive</strong> / <strong>Enicar Super-Dive</strong> &mdash; twin-crown divers with EPSA cases and inner bezels.</li>
<li><strong>Enicar Seapearl 600</strong> &mdash; first-generation explorer/diver, the origin of the Sherpa story.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pricing, distribution and the post-1987 fate</h3>
<p>Like many independents, Enicar was hit hard by the quartz crisis and declared insolvent in 1987; stocks of cases and movements were purchased by Gerd-R&uuml;diger Lang (later Chronoswiss) and brand rights changed hands in 1988; <strong>the &ldquo;Enicar&rdquo; name continued primarily in Asia thereafter, without direct industrial continuity with the historical entity</strong>. Outside Asia, today&rsquo;s presence is sporadic and aimed at the general public.</p>
<p>On the vintage market, interest in Sherpa pieces (Graph, Guide, Ultradive) has risen markedly over the last decade, while late-1950s Seapearl watches remain sought after; <strong>price dispersion is driven by details: part coherence, dial condition, and originality of crowns and bezels</strong>. Examples with clear provenance command a meaningful premium.</p>
<h3>Selection advice (vintage): coherence first</h3>
<p>On a &ldquo;compressor&rdquo; Sherpa, check for the two knurled crowns, the smooth action and alignment of the inner bezel, and the case-back markings (EPSA patents, refs); <strong>the dial/hand/case match is your best first-glance authenticity filter</strong>. Avoid &ldquo;franken&rdquo; assemblies and crude re-lumes that signal approximate restoration work.</p>
<p>For a <em>Seapearl 600</em>, assess dial state (lacquer, even patina), typography correctness and marker symmetry; <strong>over-polishing that eats case edges materially reduces collectability</strong>. Bracelet-wise, beads-of-rice steel or period-style rubber complements the utilitarian brief of early divers.</p>
<p>With chronographs, prioritise crisp sub-registers, positive-feeling pushers and a precise reset; <strong>on-wrist ease of use matters more than chasing micro-variants</strong>. A recent service history by a workshop familiar with period calibres is a decisive plus.</p>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Enicar speaks to enthusiasts of honest, quietly distinctive tool-watches whose stories were written in use: from Himalayan climbs to pit lanes, the brand built a coherent grammar around legibility, intelligent cases and unpretentious dials. It remains readily identifiable through its Sherpa lines and a simple idea: a well-designed watch should serve its wearer. To decide between Graph, Guide, Ultradive or Seapearl, begin with your use-case and wrist comfort, then weigh options against <strong>Dialicious customer reviews</strong>. Owner feedback adds lived context to spec sheets and archives.</p>
<p>(Updated September 2025)</p>

<p><strong>Atelier Wen</strong> est une marque horlog&egrave;re ind&eacute;pendante qui s'est distingu&eacute;e par son approche novatrice, alliant le riche patrimoine culturel chinois &agrave; une horlogerie de haute qualit&eacute;. Fond&eacute;e par deux passionn&eacute;s de la culture chinoise, Thomas Gronenthal et Robin Tallendier, la marque vise &agrave; red&eacute;finir la perception des montres "Made in China" en mettant en avant l'excellence artisanale du pays.</p>
<h3><strong>Philosophie et Mission</strong></h3>
<p>L'objectif principal d'Atelier Wen est de c&eacute;l&eacute;brer l'artisanat chinois en cr&eacute;ant des montres qui refl&egrave;tent l'h&eacute;ritage culturel et l'expertise technique du pays. La marque cherche &agrave; offrir des garde-temps de luxe qui int&egrave;grent des &eacute;l&eacute;ments de design chinois authentiques, tout en maintenant des standards &eacute;lev&eacute;s de qualit&eacute; et de pr&eacute;cision.</p>
<h3><strong>Collections Principales</strong></h3>
<p><em>1. Porcelain Odyssey</em></p>
<p>La collection "Porcelain Odyssey" est la premi&egrave;re s&eacute;rie de montres lanc&eacute;e par Atelier Wen. Ces montres se distinguent par leurs <strong>cadrans en porcelaine v&eacute;ritable</strong>, fabriqu&eacute;s selon des techniques traditionnelles chinoises. Les mod&egrave;les "Ji" et "Hao" pr&eacute;sentent des motifs inspir&eacute;s de l'art chinois, offrant une esth&eacute;tique unique qui rend hommage &agrave; la riche histoire du pays.</p>
<p><em>2. Perception</em></p>
<p>La collection "Perception" incarne l'engagement d'Atelier Wen envers l'horlogerie de luxe. Ces montres arborent des cadrans guilloch&eacute;s r&eacute;alis&eacute;s &agrave; la main par le ma&icirc;tre artisan Cheng Yucai, <strong>le seul ma&icirc;tre guillocheur de Chine</strong>. Chaque cadran n&eacute;cessite environ huit heures de travail minutieux sur des machines &agrave; guillocher sp&eacute;cialement con&ccedil;ues. Les mod&egrave;les de cette collection sont disponibles en trois couleurs de cadran : bleu clair ("Piao"), saumon ("Xia") et gris ("Ying").</p>
<h3><strong>Caract&eacute;ristiques Techniques</strong></h3>
<p>Les montres Atelier Wen sont con&ccedil;ues avec une attention particuli&egrave;re aux d&eacute;tails et &agrave; la qualit&eacute;. Les bo&icirc;tiers, souvent en acier inoxydable 904L, offrent une r&eacute;sistance accrue &agrave; la corrosion et une finition polie exceptionnelle. Les dimensions typiques incluent <strong>un diam&egrave;tre de 40 mm, une &eacute;paisseur de 9,4 mm</strong> et une distance de corne &agrave; corne de 47 mm, assurant un port confortable sur une vari&eacute;t&eacute; de poignets. Les montres sont &eacute;galement &eacute;tanches jusqu'&agrave; 100 m&egrave;tres, ce qui les rend polyvalentes pour une utilisation quotidienne.</p>
<h3><strong>Mouvement</strong></h3>
<p>Les garde-temps de la collection "Perception" sont &eacute;quip&eacute;s du <strong>calibre automatique SL1588, fabriqu&eacute; par Dandong</strong>. Ce mouvement bat &agrave; une fr&eacute;quence de 28 800 alternances par heure et offre une r&eacute;serve de marche d'environ 41 heures. Bien que relativement nouveau sur le march&eacute;, ce calibre a &eacute;t&eacute; choisi pour sa fiabilit&eacute; et sa pr&eacute;cision, refl&eacute;tant l'engagement d'Atelier Wen envers l'innovation et la qualit&eacute;.</p>
<h3><strong>Bracelet et Confort</strong></h3>
<p>Les montres Atelier Wen sont dot&eacute;es de bracelets int&eacute;gr&eacute;s en acier inoxydable, con&ccedil;us pour assurer <strong>une transition fluide entre le bo&icirc;tier et le bracelet</strong>. Les maillons sont finement chanfrein&eacute;s et polis, offrant une esth&eacute;tique luxueuse et un confort optimal. La version 2.0 de la collection "Perception" a introduit des am&eacute;liorations notables, notamment des chanfreins faits main sur tous les maillons internes, renfor&ccedil;ant ainsi l'apparence haut de gamme du bracelet.</p>
<h3><strong>Collaborations et &Eacute;ditions Limit&eacute;es</strong></h3>
<p>Atelier Wen a &eacute;galement explor&eacute; des collaborations pour offrir <strong>des &eacute;ditions limit&eacute;es uniques</strong>. Par exemple, en partenariat avec Revolution, la marque a lanc&eacute; des mod&egrave;les en titane avec des cadrans jaunes et rouges vibrants, chacun limit&eacute; &agrave; 100 pi&egrave;ces. Une autre collaboration notable inclut une &eacute;dition sp&eacute;ciale avec Wristcheck et seconde/seconde/, pr&eacute;sentant un design ludique et innovant qui refl&egrave;te l'engagement de la marque envers la cr&eacute;ativit&eacute; et l'artisanat.</p>
<h3><strong>R&eacute;ception et Impact</strong></h3>
<p>Depuis son lancement, Atelier Wen a re&ccedil;u des &eacute;loges pour sa capacit&eacute; &agrave; fusionner l'esth&eacute;tique chinoise traditionnelle avec l'horlogerie moderne. La marque a r&eacute;ussi &agrave; <strong>changer la perception du "Made in China"</strong> en d&eacute;montrant que l'artisanat chinois peut rivaliser avec les standards internationaux les plus &eacute;lev&eacute;s. Les critiques ont salu&eacute; la qualit&eacute; de fabrication, le design distinctif et l'approche innovante de la marque.</p>
<h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3>
<p>Atelier Wen repr&eacute;sente une <strong>fusion r&eacute;ussie de la tradition culturelle chinoise et de l'horlogerie contemporaine</strong>. En mettant l'accent sur l'artisanat, la qualit&eacute; et le design, la marque a &eacute;tabli une identit&eacute; unique dans le monde de l'horlogerie de luxe. Que ce soit &agrave; travers des cadrans en porcelaine d&eacute;licatement fabriqu&eacute;s ou des motifs guilloch&eacute;s complexes, chaque montre raconte une histoire qui honore le riche h&eacute;ritage de la Chine tout en r&eacute;pondant aux attentes des passionn&eacute;s de montres modernes.</p>
<p>Inspirez-vous des <strong>avis clients Dialicious</strong> pour choisir la montre qui vous ressemble.</p>
<p>(Mise &agrave; jour Mars 2025)</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Atelier Wen</strong> is an independent watch brand that has distinguished itself by its innovative approach, combining China's rich cultural heritage with high-quality watchmaking. Founded by <strong>two enthusiasts of Chinese culture</strong>, Thomas Gronenthal and Robin Tallendier, the brand aims to redefine the perception of "Made in China" watches by highlighting the country's artisanal excellence.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Philosophy and Mission</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen's main goal is to celebrate Chinese craftsmanship by creating watches that reflect the <strong>country's cultural heritage </strong>and technical expertise. The brand seeks to offer luxury timepieces that incorporate authentic Chinese design elements, while maintaining high standards of quality and precision.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Main Collections</h3>
<p dir="ltr">1. Porcelain Odyssey</p>
<p dir="ltr">The &ldquo;Porcelain Odyssey&rdquo; collection is the first series of watches launched by Atelier Wen. These watches are distinguished by their <strong>real porcelain dials</strong>, made using traditional Chinese techniques. The "Ji" and "Hao" models feature designs inspired by Chinese art, offering a unique aesthetic that pays homage to the country's rich history.</p>
<p dir="ltr">2. Perception</p>
<p dir="ltr">The &ldquo;Perception&rdquo; collection embodies Atelier Wen&rsquo;s commitment to luxury watchmaking. These watches feature guilloche dials handcrafted by master craftsman Cheng Yucai, <strong>the only master guilloche maker in China</strong>. Each dial requires approximately eight hours of painstaking work on specially designed guilloche machines. The models in this collection are available in three dial colors: light blue (&ldquo;Piao&rdquo;), salmon (&ldquo;Xia&rdquo;) and gray (&ldquo;Ying&rdquo;).</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Technical Characteristics</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen watches are designed with attention to detail and quality. Housings, often made from 904L stainless steel, offer increased corrosion resistance and an exceptional polished finish. Typical dimensions include a diameter of <strong>40mm, a thickness of 9.4mm and a lug-to-lug distance</strong> of 47mm, ensuring comfortable wear on a variety of wrists. The watches are also water resistant up to 100 meters, making them versatile for everyday use.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Movement</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The timepieces from the &ldquo;Perception&rdquo; collection are equipped with the automatic <strong>caliber SL1588, manufactured by Dandong</strong>. This movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. Although relatively new to the market, this caliber was chosen for its reliability and precision, reflecting Atelier Wen's commitment to innovation and quality.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Bracelet and Confort</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen watches feature integrated stainless steel bracelets, designed to provide <strong>a seamless transition between case and bracelet</strong>. The links are finely chamfered and polished, providing a luxurious aesthetic and optimal comfort. Version 2.0 of the "Perception" collection introduced notable improvements, including hand-crafted chamfers on all internal links, reinforcing the premium appearance of the bracelet.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Collaborations and Limited Editions</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen has also explored collaborations to offer <strong>unique limited editions</strong>. For example, in partnership with Revolution, the brand launched titanium models with vibrant yellow and red dials, each limited to 100 pieces. Another notable collaboration includes a special edition with Wristcheck and seconds /seconde/, featuring a playful and innovative design that reflects the brand's commitment to creativity and craftsmanship.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Reception and Impact</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Since its launch, Atelier Wen has received praise for its ability to fuse traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern watchmaking. The brand has succeeded in <strong>changing the perception of "Made in China"</strong> by demonstrating that Chinese craftsmanship can compete with the highest international standards. Reviewers praised the brand's build quality, distinctive design, and innovative approach.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen represents a successful fusion of Chinese cultural tradition and contemporary watchmaking. With a focus on craftsmanship, quality and design, the brand has established <strong>a unique identity </strong>in the world of luxury watchmaking. Whether through delicately crafted porcelain dials or intricate guilloche patterns, each watch tells a story that honors China's rich heritage while meeting the expectations of modern watch enthusiasts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Take inspiration from <strong>Dialicious customer reviews </strong>to choose the watch that suits you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated March 2025)</p>

Dourniz's review on his Enicar Sherpa D Star

The legendary Sherpa D 600 from Enicar

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Iconic Switzerland

Dourniz's review on his Enicar Sherpa D Star

The legendary Sherpa D 600 from Enicar

Where to buy your Enicar?

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Other reviews published by Dourniz

EskaAmphibian 250

VenezianicoRedentore

SeikoLord Matic

YemaRallygraf Meca-Quartz

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Customize your Enicar with our selection of accessories:

Eagle Eye Watches

Iconic Switzerland

Eska
Amphibian 250

Venezianico
Redentore

Seiko
Lord Matic

Yema
Rallygraf Meca-Quartz

SYE
MOT1ON Chronograph
Bullitt Titanium