To Mario Peserico, Eberhard & Co. General Manager, it makes perfect sense that the 1950s remain the strongest design inspiration for diving watches. “It was a time when this new functional purpose was emerging – something genuinely innovative and driven by practical needs. There was no advanced, specialized equipment widely available to the general public, yet innovation still went hand in hand with strong attention to design. It was never just about pure aesthetics; form was always integrated with functionality, with extraordinary result,” he said during a recent catch-up. The Scafograf, winner of the Sports Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2016, has continued in this vein by continually incorporating new technologies and materials. Take for instance the adoption of the helium escape valve at 9 o’clock which enables a water resistance to 30 ATM. Or the domed sapphire glass that helps distribute pressure, further enhancing its resistance and reliability in deep-sea conditions. And let’s not forget about the improved legibility in the dark thanks to the use of Super-LumiNova®.
One of the collection’s most recent iterations, the Scafograf 300 MCMLIX (that’s Roman for 1959) is a great embodiment on this parallel focus of heritage and innovation with a vintage look. The green matt dial is encased in a stainless-steel case, whose screw-in caseback is adorned with an engraved starfish; the symbol of the collection. Equally vintage-looking is the leather strap with matching green stitching, but if you want to put this 43-millimeter tool, which also comes with dials in other colors, to proper underwater use, go for the steel bracelet or the rubber strap.
This year has been a challenging one for Eberhard & Co., but, as Mr. Peserico described it, a “real” one reflecting the company’s realistic approach that remains calm and steady in the face of temporary fluctuations. In 2026 Eberhard & Co. will continue this path which contains competitive value-for-money watches as well as selected events, starting with Watches and Wonders Geneva. “We will also maintain our trust in multi-brand retailers, in our existing network, and in new contacts that arise. We will keep offering a limited and carefully curated number of novelties each year,” Mr. Peserico said.
In November Eberhard & Co.was also part of the GMT watch Safari, where 18 collectors travelled with GMT founder Brice Lechevalier to several watch brands, meeting up with artisans and top tiers like Mr. Peserico.
“It was an interesting experience – connecting with passionate communities in person rather than solely in the digital sphere is always meaningful. It offered the chance to meet genuine enthusiasts in a warm, welcoming atmosphere, creating a moment of mutual enrichment and constructive dialogue.”
The collectors showed strong interest in several models, including the Scafograf, which is one of the brand’s best-selling watches.
“The Scafograf maintains its vocation as a professional instrument and combines it with a refined, vintage-inspired design that makes it suitable to wear outside the water in everyday life,” concluded Mr. Peserico.
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