Few watches embody the birth of the professional dive watch as naturally as the Eberhard Scafograf 300.
Introduced during the golden age of underwater exploration, the Scafograf was Eberhard & Co.’s answer to the rapidly growing demand for reliable watches designed specifically for diving. The model became one of the most interesting contributions from the Swiss industry to the early development of dedicated tool watches.
This example, Ref. 26013-875, dates to 1965, placing it among the earliest generations of the Scafograf 300. It is powered by the Eberhard calibre 313C, a robust self-winding movement developed for dependable everyday operation, while the characteristic construction and utilitarian design reflect the uncompromising philosophy of the period.
What makes early Scafograf 300 watches particularly fascinating today is their position between traditional Swiss watchmaking and the emerging language of the modern professional diver. They were not conceived as luxury objects in the contemporary sense: their purpose was functional, their proportions were dictated by legibility and robustness, and every element served a practical role.
The GF elastic steel band fitted to this watch is another important period detail, complementing the unmistakably utilitarian character of the piece.
This example has also been recently serviced, making it particularly attractive not only from a collecting perspective but also as a wearable piece of early Swiss diving-watch history.
More than simply an early Eberhard, the Scafograf 300 represents a fascinating chapter in the evolution of the professional wristwatch — a period when manufacturers were still defining what a true diving instrument should be.
A historically important vintage diver, preserved in a configuration that perfectly reflects the spirit of the mid-1950s.