1942 Ebel Chronograph 'Big eyes' - Solid Pink Gold
A very rare 1942 Ebel chronograph in 18k Solid Pink Gold
WHY IS THIS WATCH SPECIAL
This particular extremely well preserved timepiece is powered by the Ebel caliber 513 based on the Venus 175, but upgraded (17 Jewels, adjusted to 3 positions) in order to reach high precision standards. Here is a stunning and clean example of a rare 18k solid pink gold Ebel with salmon dial, the vast majority of the chronographs from competitors were made in yellow gold.
This amazingly attractive case was manufactured by the renowned firm Monnier & Co (Hammer hallmark 132).
THE STORY
Yes, it was with the romantic history that this world-famous brand of Swiss watches began. By July 15, 1911, which became the manufacturer’s founding date, Eugene Blum and Alice Levy had been happily married for nine years. They decided to give their new company a name in which they combined their initials. So EBEL is an abbreviation of the capital letters “Eugène Blum Et Lévy.” Unlike numerous other watch companies, whose origins were exclusively men; the Ebel Company has combined the values and qualities inherent in the male and female principles.
In EBEL watches, the model’s sketch and case design became defining for everything else – the movement and the jewelry finish. For its time, this was a very revolutionary approach to watchmaking. The combination of beauty, originality, and practicality immediately set EBEL apart from several other watch brands.
In 1914, EBEL was awarded the gold medal at the National Swiss Exhibition for the best women’s jewelry watch. And the original Montre Pendentif Bijou pendant watch became the most popular women’s model in 1917. Unlike other watch designers of that time, who strove to create complicated and pompous things, Alice Levy gave her watches an interesting and emphasized modest and laconic look. Moreover, all models were equipped with high-quality and precise mechanisms created by Eugene Blum.
The secret of EBEL’s success in all subsequent years was that it managed to avoid extremes and not to become a purely jewelry or designer brand, but to always maintain a reputation as an excellent watchmaker. So, during the economic depression of the 1920s, when the demand for jewelry watches fell sharply, the son of Eugene and Alice – Charles Blum – saved the family business by supplying large watch companies with flawless movements designed by his father.
And in 1935, EBEL became the first Swiss brand to use the Western Electric system for accuracy testing. During the war, EBEL confirmed its reputation as a reliable watchmaker, becoming one of the British army suppliers, which did not prevent the company from immediately returning to its core concept in peacetime. Already in 1964, the asymmetrical model with sapphires and diamonds, Lune Etoile again won first prize in the category “Best Jewelry Watches" at the National Swiss Exhibition in Lausanne.
Alice Levy herself remained the company’s creative director until 1960 and finally retired, leaving the post of chairman of the board of directors only in 1968, when she was 88 years old. But the real rise in popularity was ahead of EBEL. The representative of the third generation of the family, Pierre-Alain Blum, took over the company in the midst of the “Quartz crisis” and was one of the few who resisted the new cheap technology’s temptations continuing to develop the production of mechanics. Thanks to Pierre-Alain, the EBEL models supported the prestige of automatic watches.
THE DATA
- Maker: Ebel
- Model: Chronograph 'Big Eyes'
- Reference: 3
- Case N°: 21028
- Year: 1945
- Material: Solid 18k Pink Gold
- Dimentions (WxT): 34x42x10mm
- Caliber: Ebel 513
- Bracelet/Strap: Genuine leather
- Lug width: 18mm
- Box/Papers: N/A
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This striking rare chronograph is in extremely well preserved condition, the sharp angles, polished/Brushed finish and gold hallmarks are present. The salmon dial with applied pink gold dots, matching the case gives an unbeatable touch to this elegant chronograph. It has a very sophisticated and sporty presence on the wrist an can be worn daily.
