Eberhard presents Contodat at Watches and Wonders 2025

Eberhard & Co. presents CONTODAT, a new collection that embodies the essence of the Swiss Maison’s sporty elegance, consisting of CONTODAT AUTOMATIC, the "time-only" version, and CONTODAT CHRONOGRAPHE, the chronograph version. Both variants are offered with a carefully curated selection of dials and represent the first watches in the Company’s current collections to be exclusively designed with an integrated bracelet.

While the name revives the historic CONTODAT brand (registered in 1955) in a fresh new form, the collection takes inspiration from a timepiece from the second half of the 1970s, conceived by then-President Palmiro Monti, shortly after he took the helm of the Maison in 1969.

During a challenging period for traditional Swiss watchmaking, tested by the rise of quartz, Monti designed one of the first mechanical chronographs of the “new era” for the Maison, featuring striking lines and an intriguing colour scheme, highlighted by a contrasting orange seconds hand. The watch was a true act of courage, responding to the quartz revolution not with a reactionary and serious approach, but by projecting the excellence of traditional watchmaking into the future with originality, a touch of lightness and colour.

Almost half a century later, the same spirit of challenge gave birth to a groundbreaking new collection, carrying the same energy as the 1970s model from which it draws inspiration, symbolised by the orange on the dial, which becomes an ideal unifying theme: a "fil orange" that, recalling the past in its origins, looks toward the future with the same enthusiasm.

CONTODAT AUTOMATIC and CONTODAT CHRONOGRAPHE feature a 39 mm case, where the steel alternates between polished and satin finishes, also found in the integrated steel bracelet. The dial, available in several colour variations, showcases an original design with geometric patterns that give the watch a distinctive look. Particularly notable is the presence of one or two counters, depending on the version, as well as the date window with its unusual trapezoidal shape, inspired by the 1970s model. In the "time-only" version, the small seconds counter is placed at 9 o'clock, with the date window at 3 o'clock. In the chronograph version, which features a perimeter scale in km/h based on 1000, the date window moves to 6 o'clock, accompanied by the continuous small seconds counter at 9 o'clock and the minute counter at 3 o'clock, with a special scale for reading up to 45 minutes – a further reference to the timepiece conceived by Palmiro Monti in the 1970s.

The dials of both versions are presented in a vibrant colour range, with the colours illuminated by the "soleil" finish, while the counters are distinguished by the "azuré" finish. On the dial, the attention-grabbing touch of orange colours the seconds hand and the “60” marker in the CONTODAT AUTOMATIC version; the same vibrant colour is applied to the central chronograph hand and the 30-minute counter scale in the CONTODAT CHRONOGRAPHE model.

Noteworthy are the hour and minute hands, a new design by the Maison, featuring a three-dimensional structure that alternates between different textures, with a central section housing the luminescent material. In both versions, the watch is exclusively offered with a new integrated steel bracelet, designed to ensure perfect aesthetic and functional continuity with the case. The bracelet features the exclusive 2CLICK® clasp, ensuring practicality and maximum security against accidental openings, and is adorned with the emblem of the Shield, the Maison’s distinctive symbol, also echoed in the design of the inner blades. In keeping with Eberhard & Co.’s tradition, the caseback is personalized and features an engraving of the Latin phrase UBI TU IBI EGO – “wherever you are, I will be there.” This timeless promise symbolizes both enduring value and permanence, capturing the forward-looking spirit embodied by the watch itself.

“The origin of the CONTODAT collection is rooted in a 1970s model, initially only offered as a
chronograph, but it is not a mere remake. In fact, it is a completely new collection, marked by a sporty style
that still maintains an aura of classicism. A true 'act of loyalty' to mechanical watchmaking, in which the
brand has believed from the very beginning and continues to guide us in our vision of the future.”
-Mario Peserico, General Manager of Eberhard & Co.