Checking Out The New Eberhard Contodat Collection
We’re back with another set of releases from Watches and Wonders 2025. We’re here to fill you in if you missed these in all the coverage you’ve read. The new Eberhard Contodat watches are straight out of the ’70s, yet they’re anything but kitschy. These were some of my favorite novelties.
Eberhard is a plucky Swiss brand with Italian flair. Indeed, Italy is still its most popular market. Still, with online sales and several retailers, it is possible to find and try the company’s offerings. The latest additions to the catalog warrant closer inspection because they’re good — really good. Balazs and I were fortunate to check them out at Watches and Wonders, and we snapped some hands-on photos.
Eberhard Contograf — Image: Chrono24
Some history
The early ’70s were a tumultuous period for the Swiss watch industry. The Quartz Crisis was hitting hard, and many brands began to disappear. Eberhard was certainly affected, but the company doubled down with a new Contograf. The watch embraced the integrated-bracelet look of the ’70s, but it remained mechanical. Even when others shifted to automatic calibers, the Eberhard used the lovely in-house 310-82 hand-wound movement. This column-wheel-equipped icon even had a quick-set date. Today, these pieces are treasured by collectors and rarely come up for sale.
The Eberhard Contodat collection
Eberhard chose a new name for its vintage-inspired collection. The new Contodat line consists of two basic models — a chronograph and a three-hand automatic — available in a range of colors. We’ll break down each model separately, but there are top-level similarities. The cases are stainless steel with integrated bracelets. Plus, each model uses a top-grade Sellita automatic caliber. Finally, and this is welcome news, both styles have a 100m depth rating and offer screw-down crowns.
The Contodat Chronographe
The new Contodat Chronographe is 39mm in diameter with a thickness of 13.9mm. We weren’t able to measure the lug-to-lug, but the watch felt comfortable on my smaller wrist and Balazs’s larger one. It’s available with a blue, silver, or green dial with sunray and azurage finishing. We were able to see the silver and blue versions. Both exhibit orange details, such as the outer tachymeter scale, central chronograph hand, and parts of the inner track on the 30-minute counter (which also has an extended 45-minute scale). Bright white Super-LumiNova is found on the hands and applied indexes. It’s refreshing to see this instead of the faux patina typically used on reissues.
Other details
The Contodat Chronographe has a signed, screw-down crown and lengthy pump pushers. Balazs remarked that it was nice to see long, tactile pushers that encourage use. From my side, I used the chronograph and found it smooth. The crown was also easy to engage and didn’t feel wobbly at all.
Eberhard also chose to use a solid, screw-in stainless steel case back. Again, it’s a nice move because, frankly, we don’t need to see another movement with utilitarian finishing. That’s not to say that the Contodat Chronographe uses a shabby power train. The Sellita SW510 B Ha is a 27-jewel automatic caliber with a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 58 hours. It offers a quick-set date, a hacking feature, a 30-minute counter, and a running seconds sub-dial.
Thoughts and pricing
Just when I thought I’d had enough of vintage reissues, Eberhard comes along with a winner. Perhaps it’s because Eberhard is a smaller, niche brand. The more likely reason, though, is that the watches are nicely executed and feel great on the wrist. They’re not ultra-thin, but a ’70s-style watch deserves some heft. Regarding pricing, the Contodat Chronographe watches come in at €3,970. That’s not cheap, but Eberhard isn’t a microbrand, and it feels competitive against other longstanding names. Overall, these chronographs were a surprise at Watches and Wonders — a positive one!
The Contodat Automatic
Eberhard opted to add a second model to the Contodat collection. The Automatic is a three-handed reference with a catch. It has a central hour and minute display with a running seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock and a date window at 3. The look is different, and unlike the chronograph, it isn’t based on a prior model.
A similar footprint
Once again, the watch is 39mm wide, but with a more straightforward movement, it’s only 11.3mm thick. It also has the same integrated bracelet, but more dial color options exist. Blue, green, silver, black, and gray are available in a mix of sunray and glossy finishes. Note the trapezoidal date window, a vintage touch found on both models.
Inside, the Sellita SW290-1 powers the Automatic. It has a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 41 hours. Like the Chronographe, the watch has a solid stainless steel screw-in case back. On the wrist, this watch is also comfortable and feels well built. The polished center links add a level of elegance to an otherwise sporty-looking watch. It’s nice, different, and welcome in a sea of similar offerings from other brands. Regarding price, the Automatic lists for €2,940.
Final thoughts
We also nearly missed our appointment with Eberhard due to a scheduling mishap, which would have been a shame. The Contodat collection is a highlight and shows that it’s still possible for smaller brands to surprise and delight in a relatively affordable fashion. Let us know what you think of these latest releases.
