Eska French Chronograph

Vintage chronographs are the soul of Analog:Shift. The perfect balance of complication, sophistication, detail in design, and staying power, vintage chronos bridge both sport and dress aesthetic in a brilliant way. As our bread and butter, we're always looking for notable and exciting chronographs for your consideration.

What we have here is a great example of this. An Eska Chronograph from the 1950s, this brilliant 35mm piece was years ahead of its time and equally comfortable in the 2020s. Founded in the 1910s in Switzerland, Eska made a name for itself producing some of the most beautiful dress pieces for the market. 

This chronograph is fashioned from 18K gold and packs a classic manually wound movement within. With twin 'tach' and 'telemeter' scales outbound, the beautiful piece is completed with gold hands and applied numerals, 'grooved' sub-registers, and sharp faceted lugs. Not only is this piece a beautiful testament to 1950s watch design, it's in simply pristine condition throughout. For something dating to this period, it's truly hard to find something in this condition. 

Lesser known than its natural competition but every bit as capable, this is the type of chronograph that fits in any collection. Snag it before someone else does!

For every celebrated Swiss watchmaker whose name has become synonymous with fine chronographs, there are dozens of lesser-known firms whose contributions to the genre are no less deserving of attention. One such company is Eska, a family-owned concern whose remarkably varied output encompassed everything from elegant dress watches and complicated chronographs to colorful divers and exquisite cloisonné enamel pieces.

Founded in 1918 in Selzach, Switzerland by Silvain Kocher and his son Erwin, S. Kocher & Co. — whose initials, pronounced phonetically, gave rise to the name Eska — initially specialized in small, beautifully decorated wristwatches. The company expanded steadily throughout the 1920s and 1930s, establishing a presence in North and South America before relocating to the watchmaking center of Grenchen in 1937.

By the late 1930s, Eska had developed a remarkably diverse catalog that included water-resistant models, and chronographs. The latter, often outfitted with handsome multi-scale dials and robust, manually wound movements, were representative of an era when specialized timing instruments were increasingly finding their way from the wrists of professionals to those of everyday enthusiasts.

Following the Second World War, Eska continued to experiment with both mechanical complications and unconventional designs. Its catalog expanded to include triple-calendar watches, intricate cloisonné enamel dials, and the striking Amphibian 600 dive watch of the late 1950s. Meanwhile, the company's Royce marque — originally acquired in the 1930s — became increasingly prominent, eventually eclipsing the Eska name during the 1960s and 1970s.

Like so many independent Swiss watchmakers, Eska ultimately fell victim to the Quartz Crisis, with the original company declaring bankruptcy in 1986. Though the name has since been revived, it's the firm's vintage output — particularly its handsome chronographs and unusual complications — that remains most compelling to collectors. For those willing to look beyond the usual suspects, Eska offers a fascinating glimpse into the extraordinary diversity of midcentury Swiss watchmaking.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.