New Colors For The Eberhard Grande Taille Extra-Fort
New Elegant Colors
This BaselWorld, four new dial variants of the Grande Taille Extra-fort (reference number 31953) were presented by Eberhard & Co. They expanded the color palette of this traditional chronograph by adding the following combinations:
- A silver dial with silver subdials
- A blue dial with silver subdials
- A grey dial with grey subdials
- A silver dial with black subdials
General Looks
Let me first introduce the watch in general. With its mirror polished case and raised Roman applied numerals this is definitely a classic looking watch with elegance. Due the curved lugs it also fits small wrists. It’s powered by an ETA/Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement with two counters on 9 and 3 o’clock which creates a nice harmoniously face.
The 30-minute counter is based on 3 o’clock and the seconds are shown on the 9 o’clock subdial. Although the watch is modestly sized at 41mm, it is quite thick for a rather classic looking watch due the chronograph movement: 13,90mm. Not too much writing on the dial, just the Eberhard logo and one line of text (the model-name: ‘Extra-fort’) below the center. The cursive script-font does create a more unique and recognizable face. It refers to the 1970s-period where we can find similar typefaces, for example the Zenith El Primero from that time.
The high polished Dauphine-style hands and the Frappé-structured inner circle on the center of the dial top off the ‘classy’ face. The date is placed in a stainless steel-bordered window at 6 o’clock, which puts the weight on the bottom on the dial. When we look at the crown and pushers, Eberhard has chosen for a very classic but timeless setup. The crown is easy to operate and branded by the ‘E’ in their corporate typeface. The squared pushers are referring to the classic chronographs of the mid 1900s and activate the several timing functions fairly easy and light. The watch comes with a comfortable alligator strap with straight stitching (in a contrast white color on white versions) and branded clasp. The alternative is a stainless steel bracelet which Eberhard likes to call ‘Chalin’. It looks a bit like the famous beads of rice bracelet, but with bigger beads.
To conclude the general looks and not forget the polished back: the outer engraved circle is formed by the company name and in the center of the screwed caseback (six screws) you will find the model-name in the recognizable typeface I mentioned earlier.
Silver variant with deep black subdials
More Sportive Eberhard Ultra-fort
By introducing extra color variations to the Extra-fort series, Eberhard did include more sportive looking variations and even a ‘Panda’ version (white dial and black subdials). The denim blue variation with the silver subdials is the sportiest and creates a nice and playful contrast. A nice example of what color can do to the looks of a particular model.
Blue variant with silver subdials
Small Differences
If you look closer to the different color variations you will notice a small difference: the white variation is the only one of the four with a blued seconds-hand for the stopwatch function.
The watch is water resistant until 50 meters and will retail for about the same price as the main model. That’s it for now. What’s your favorite one?
