Enicar Wristwatch Ocean Pearl 147-01-02 Vintage 1970s Cal AR 1147

SPECIFICATION

Reference: Enicar 147-01-02
Movement: AR 1147 24 jewels
Age: circa 1970
Case Size: 35mm
Case Thickness: 13mm
Lug to Lug: 39mm
Lugs: 19mm
Condition: used Enicar watch
Box & Papers: No
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Warranty: 12-Months Warranty

 POINTS TO MENTION

• In great pre-owned condition, with some light wear 
• Case and bezel have some light scratch and marks
  
• Sunburst dial
• Signed Enicar crown
• Fully serviced movement
• Paired on its original signed Enicar bracelet and an unworn grey leather strap

The Ocean Pearl features a 35mm cushion-shaped case, crafted from stainless steel . The case back is engraved with a dolphin motif encircling the "Ocean Pearl" name, adding a unique touch to its design.

The Enicar Ocean Pearl name first appeared in the early 1960s, created as part of Enicar’s broader use of “Pearl” terminology—seen also in Seapearl and other water-associated models—to signal everyday durability with light water-resistance. Introduced around 1962, the Ocean Pearl sat below the more rugged Sherpa line and was aimed at buyers who wanted a reliable, stylish, Swiss-made watch without the tool-watch bulk or price. It wasn’t a diver or a mountaineering watch; instead, it offered clean design, modest water protection, and accessible quality during a period when Enicar was expanding rapidly across sport, adventure and precision-timing categories. As the Sherpa series rose to fame, the Ocean Pearl remained a quieter, more understated part of the catalogue, but today it’s recognised as an elegant, value-driven expression of Enicar’s 1960s design language.

The inhouse AR 1147 movement is part of Enicar's 1140 series, which includes various manual and automatic movements from the late 1960s. This series was known for features like Incabloc shock protection and being fully jeweled, with automatic versions like the AR 1147 offering additional jewels on the minute and automatic wheels. It was notable for its robust functionality and precision. It has 24 jewels, operates at a frequency of 18,000 bph, has a day and date complication and provides a power reserve of approximately 42 hours approx.

A BIT OF TRIVIA

Enicar, a Swiss watch brand with a distinctive legacy, was founded in 1913 by Ariste Racine in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Interestingly, the brand name "Enicar" is simply "Racine" spelled backwards—a clever play on the founder's surname. From its early days, Enicar focused on producing high-quality timepieces with precision and reliability at the forefront. The brand gained recognition in the early 20th century for crafting watches that combined Swiss engineering with a flair for modern design, eventually carving out a niche for itself in both professional and adventurous circles.

In the mid-20th century, Enicar truly came into its own, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. The company developed the "Sherpa" line of watches—robust, reliable timepieces named after the Sherpa people of the Himalayas. These watches were put to the test in extreme conditions, including the 1956 Swiss expedition to Mount Everest. The success of the Sherpa watches during these expeditions helped solidify Enicar’s reputation for durability and adventure-ready design. The Sherpa models included dive watches, chronographs, and GMT models, many of which are now considered highly collectible.

By the 1970s, Enicar had become known for its innovative use of materials and colorful, bold designs, aligning with the aesthetic trends of the decade. However, like many Swiss watchmakers, Enicar struggled during the Quartz Crisis—a period during which the rise of inexpensive, accurate quartz watches disrupted the mechanical watch industry. Enicar ceased operations in the 1980s, but the brand was later revived by new ownership. Vintage Enicar watches, especially from the Sherpa series, continue to attract interest among collectors for their unique blend of style, history, and technical merit.

OUR THOUGHTS

Today, the Ocean Pearl aren't as hyped as the Sherpa models, but they have their own niche appeal, especially among vintage collectors who appreciate understated elegance or want a reliable mechanical watch that’s a bit under the radar. Its a sweet watch with its original bracelet, with a freshly serviced AR1147, this is watch will run and keep you smiling for years to come.