Eberhard Contograf 14901 Roulette Date

The Eberhard Contograf reference 14901 is one of the most important and fascinating collector’s chronographs of the 20th century. When the Contograf was introduced in the early 1960s, it was unlike almost any other wristwatch available at the time. Eberhard succeeded in combining technical innovation, striking design and exceptional everyday usability in a way that was far ahead of its era.

Not only is the Contograf considered today to be one of the most beautiful chronographs of the 1960s, it was also among the very first wristwatches to feature a quick-set date function. The characteristic roulette date at 6 o’clock can be conveniently advanced directly via the small pusher integrated into the side of the case – a highly modern technical solution for its time.

The present example impresses with a wealth of fascinating details. The expressive reverse-panda dial gives the watch remarkable depth and presence together with the silver sub-registers. The tachymeter scale and fine 1/5-second divisions create the highly technical instrument-like appearance that makes early motorsport chronographs so appealing. Particularly charming is the red “50” marking within the tachymeter scale – a small yet unmistakable design feature of the early Contograf models.

The elegant sword hands were used exclusively on the first generation of the Contograf and today rank among the most desirable characteristics of this reference. Equally distinctive is the roulette date disc with its alternating red and black numerals, adding further visual dynamism to the watch.

The perfectly proportioned 39 mm stainless steel case offers outstanding wrist presence and is complemented by the striking rotating bezel featuring a red triangle at 12 o’clock. Deep engravings of the legendary Eberhard starfish can be found on the screw-down case back.

Inside beats the in-house Eberhard 310-82 manual-winding calibre – a technically remarkable chronograph movement especially admired by collectors for its innovative quick-set date mechanism.

This exceptional collector’s piece is furthermore accompanied by the original Eberhard stainless steel bracelet. The clasp bears both the classic Eberhard logo and the date stamp “4/65”.

A completely cohesive and extraordinarily charismatic vintage watch that is truly without equal in terms of design, engineering and overall presence.

Condition report

Dial: flawlessly preserved – perfect matte black surface – clean sub-registers with light natural patina – crisp printing – signed “Eberhard & Co Contograf Swiss Made T”.

Case: screw-back stainless steel case – intact bevels, chamfers and edges – perfectly preserved engraving on the case back: “EBERHARD & CO - CONTOGRAF - WATERPROOF” together with the starfish logo – original winding crown with Eberhard logo – correct engravings inside the case back: ref. “14901” and the three-digit serial number – original rotating bezel in excellent condition.

Movement: manual-winding Eberhard 310.82 calibre with quick-set date – all functions working correctly – timegrapher results: rate deviation: +15s/day, amplitude: 341°, beat error: 0.6.

Case number: 1xx

Int.Exe.: 65233542