Bruno.M1's insightful post revisits Ebel's golden era, specifically from 1980 to the late 1990s, highlighting three pivotal models that defined the brand's horological significance. This article delves into the historical context and technical prowess of these Ebel timepieces, arguing for their enduring value and often-overlooked legacy in the luxury watch market. Bruno.M1 makes a compelling case for why these watches, particularly the El Primero-based Chronograph Sport, deserve renewed appreciation from collectors.
3 kind of Ebel watches I want to share. 3 different pieces that are imo worth looking at.
1/ the legend, the El Primero based Chronograph Sport
Let's start with probably the most well known which is the 'Miami Vice' or the Chrono Sport. Probably one of the most legendary watches but somehow completely forgotten. Back in the 1980's this was the 'IT' watch. Forget about the Rolex Daytona.
Most of us probably know but for those that didn't. It was Ebel with THIS watch that brought back Zenith to life. Zenith was as good as dead. We all know the Charles Vermot history, right?
Zenith was obliged to destroy all El Primero movements, machines and plans but Charles refused and hide away all these valuable things.
Anyway, Early 1980 Ebel contacted Zenith and asked if they were able to make the El Primero again. They could and did it, in 1982 the first Ebel Chronographs came to the market. An elegant automatic sportswatch with the typical wave bracelet. During the first 2-3 years these watches had the Zenith 3019 PHC inside. Later when more and more were made Zenith named it the Calibre 40.0 and afterwards the Calibre 400.
Ebel named it the calibre 134 all the time ( no matter if it were a 3019 PHC or the 40.0 or 400 ). The dials were most popular in white but black and blue also appear. The hands were non Luminova and plain black. Case material steel with gold accents like the bezel or even a solid gold case.
Is owning 3 of these stupid ?
Thing is ... Since I like and the El Primero, I definitely wanted an early 3019 PHC too !
Sorry for the terrible iPhone pice
Number 6xx
So Serial numbers 600 still had the 3019 PHC
You don't want an early El Primero if you're looking for some good finishing lol
But do know it looks better in real life, these indoor iPhone shots are terrible
Also the rotor looks fine and is not as terrible as in this picture
A numer 12xx
So serial number 12xx switched to the calibre 40.0
How many exactly were made with the cal 3019 PHC ?? No Idea but more than 600 and less than 1200
I did not open the third one but it has a number 3xxx
Btw, if you want an excellent write up about these early El Primero Ebel ... Do read this !!!
2/ Their Worldtimer ' Voyager'
A pretty slim 38 mm worldtimer that was made in different executions. Different dials, different maps on the dial, different case materials, etc.
To be honest, 38 mm is a bit too small for my taste. But hey ... an exception is always acceptable. And definitely when I came across one with an enamel dial. The email champlevé was a very limited series they made early 1990's.
In total 480 were made. 6 series and each series was made in 80 pieces. The difference between the 6 series were case material (yellow or white) and different maps. Each watch had a number on the dial. ( individual number between 01 and 80 )
1 thing ... the were ridiculously expensive back then. I found German info and they had a list price around 32.000 Deutsche Mark, which is converted to Euro about 16.000 euro. Believe me, 33 years ago you could have bought some really impressive watches for 16.000 euro. A Gold JLC Reverso on a leather strap was more like 5.500 euro and something like a Rolex Submariner was about 2.200 euro. So who the hell would have paid 16.000 euro for a gold Ebel worldtimer with enamel dial.
That aside, today these regular wordltimer are cheap as hell. The enamel version not that cheap but if you can find one .. still worth considering
For me the most easy to wear on daily basis. Honestly a very good robust and comfortable watch. A modern 40mm size and imo as good as any sports chronograph you would buy today in the 8 to 12 K range.
With the huge difference these Ebel Modular watches can be found between 2 and 3K today. Depending on condition, steel bracelet or leather strap, box and papers.
The movement with was originally a Lemania was made cause Ebel was smart enough to understand the Rolex would probably demand ALL the El primero movements Zenith could make. Ebel saved as said in the beginning Zenith with their El Primero order but in 1988 Rolex also started using the El primero in their Dayona 16520. When this Daytona came to the market in 1988 we can imagine Rolex contacted Zenith a couple of years earlier. So Ebel knew they had to do something.
Like said the bought the Lemania cal 1340. Ebel called it their in-house cal 137. Inhouse is a bit suspicious if you start from an existing Lemania 1340 but I guess they did change some stuff and anyway they acquired the rights.
That same movement was found in Breguet its Type XX during that time so it's a more than ok movement.
Afterwards when some stupid American group bought Ebel ... they decided they did not need that automatic chronograph movement and sold it to Ulysse Nardin.
By the way, they stupid group is called Movado. Since they bought Ebel they only made shit watches. Lowered the quality and sell mostly quartz crap.
