Long-time lovers of watches and true connoisseurs of dive watches are sure to have knowledge of the Eberhard Scafograf. In the mid 20^th century, the Scafograf made its first appearance and fast became a rival to the finest dive watches on the market. Over the decades, the Scafograf has evolved and today is a very important pillar collection for Eberhard.  Recently, I had the chance to go hands-on with the Eberhard Scafograf 300 watch and it was a really great experience that I share with you here. But first, a few background details that take us down memory lane.

The History of the Eberhard Scafograf

Swiss watch brand Eberhard, founded in 1887, was always a pioneering brand – on the edge of innovation and advancement. In fact, the brand is known for its post-World War II inventions that included the introduction of the Extra-Fort (ultra-strong) chronograph watch with a seconds hand that returned to zero via a sliding push piece, and the Scientigraf antimagnetic watch that was the brand’s response to watches such as the Omega Railmaster or Rolex Explorer. Eberhard was never content to rest on its laurels or to be pushed aside by bigger brands. It was always striving for perfection and innovation – and achieved it.

It was in the 1950’s that Eberhard created its first Scafograf dive watch that could accompany man to the depths of the oceans. It was so well made and so incredibly coveted, that the brand created new versions, constantly pushing the limits of  rugged durability and water resistance (with the Scafograf 100, 200, 300, 400, 750 and eventually even 1000 meters). It was just about four years ago that Eberhard re-introduced the Scafograf 300 watch – destined to set divers’ hearts aflutter.

Impressions of the Eberhard Scafograf 300

Going hands-on with the Eberhard Scafograf 300 was an interesting adventure for me. Not one in the deep blue sea, though. I must confess, I am not a diver and am actually a bit afraid of the ocean. However, I do swim and I have a  pool in my yard, so you can rest assured the Eberhard Scafograf 300 got a workout here. In my opinion, it performed even better than I expected.  There were never any lapses in timing, the bracelet clasp was secure, the rubber strap dried quickly. and the look was bold and adventurous (although it did give me tan lines).

One of the things I liked best about wearing this Scafograf 300 was knowing that I was wearing a bit of history on my wrist. Granted, it is a current-production watch and brand new, but knowing the history of Eberhard’s dive watches and the brand’s ongoing innovation, made me proud to wear it. It is these small secrets – concepts that only the wearer (and those in the watch world)  knows – that makes a watch truly special.

Main Features of the Eberhard Scafograf 300

Powered by an ETA 2824-2 mechanical, self-winding caliber, the 43mm stainless steel watch has real attitude. Chocked with the necessary features required in a dive watch, including shock-resistant case, water resistance to 300 meters, luminous hands and markets and even an expandable bracelet, the Eberhard Scafograf 300 dive watch is a true quality/value proposition.

With a central seconds hand and a date display at 3:00, the watch boasts a unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel with luminescent markings of the first 15 minutes scale on the bezel. A curved sapphire crystal makes reading the time without a glare easier, and the helium escape valve at 9:00 provides added confidence in the watch’s overall performance abilities.

Eberhard Scafograf 300 Features And Versions

The watch is offered in three versions with the central seconds hand and dots in either white, light blue or yellow.  The screwed case-back features an engraved starfish on it that can be personalized, and the watch is finished with an integrated black rubber strap or with the brand’s steel bracelet with patented Declic® deployment clasp.

Perhaps what I liked most about the watch was the fact that I could wear it out of the water and feel totally comfortable. The size is right for summertime fun wear, casual weekend wear and even a stop at the local lobster shack. However, what makes this watch so perfect for the recreational diver and the lover of dive watches is the price: it retails for  $3,080 on a black rubber strap and for $3,800 for a steel bracelet with Declic® clasp.

Technical Features of the Eberhard Scafograf 300

Movement: caliber ETA 2824-2, Mechanical, self-winding, date at 3 o’clock. Central seconds hand

Case: 43mm steel

Case back: steel, screwed, personalized with an engraved starfish

Bezel: ceramic, rotating, unidirectional, with luminescent markings on the first 15 minutes scale

Water resistance: 300 m, diving watch, with helium escape valve at 9 o’clock

Crown:  steel, screw-in , water-resistant, personalized “E”

Crystal: sapphire, convex, anti-reflecting

Dial: matt black, “galbé” with luminescent applied indices

Hands: hours and minutes: baton-type, squelettes, luminescent. The name of the model, the central seconds’ hand, and the dots can be white, light blue or yellow

Strap: integrated black rubber strap, personalized with the “E” shield, emblem of the Maison. The inside is characterized by small shields that allow for airflow. Optional: patented deployment clasp Déclic®

Bracelet: Chassis®, in steel. Deployment clasp Déclic®  Patented