I picked up this Enicar men’s watch as part of a bulk lot of vintage watches and tools—a real mixed bag of surprises. This particular piece definitely falls into the “project” category: the dial shows heavy patina, the movement isn’t running, and on closer inspection, the pallet fork is missing. Not exactly the discovery you hope for, but that’s the adventure of vintage watch restoration.
About Enicar
Enicar is a Swiss brand founded in 1913, most famous among collectors for their Sherpa line—rugged tool watches worn by explorers, divers, and even rally drivers. While this piece isn’t a Sherpa, it still represents Enicar’s more classic mid-century offerings: simple, reliable, straightforward mechanical watches built with solid Swiss quality.
Movement Details – AR 410
Inside is an Enicar AR 410, a manual-wind movement produced in the 1950s. It’s a no-nonsense calibre featuring:
- 17 jewels
- Incabloc shock protection
- Antimagnetic design
- A clean, easy-to-service layout typical of the era
These movements are known to be dependable—when all their parts are present.
Current Condition
- Dial: Heavy patina across the surface, giving it a true “barn find” look
- Movement: Not running
- Confirmed issue: Missing pallet fork
- Unknowns: Additional damage can’t be ruled out until a full teardown
The missing pallet fork is a bit demoralizing; sourcing one could be challenging, and donor movements may be the more realistic route. I’ll need to dig into parts availability and decide whether to piece it together or keep an eye out for a full donor AR 410.
Next Steps
- Complete disassembly
- Inspect the train, balance, and jewels
- Check availability of AR 410 pallet forks or parts donors
- Decide whether full restoration is feasible
This one is definitely a long-shot rescue. Each watch has a story, and sometimes the challenge is the story.