Incoming Eberhard Champion with 5100

[witti]

Lately I was on the market for a racing themed chronograph. I guess this was the result of two thing. Firstly I realized that apparently I’m focusing too much on aviation inspired watches. The other reason could be that I was missing my Speedmaster which was away for long time due to a complete overhaul.

So I looked up and down what are my possibilities. Even started a thread about my research here:
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...e-chronographs

Thanks again to everyone who shared their thoughts at that time.
I can say some great suggestions have lead me to this incoming.

This is a brand that I bumped into many times especially on the Italian bay, however never owned a single piece from Eberhard.

This is one of there most well known line, the motor racing inspired “Champion”.
You can get its modern equivalent today however this piece is from the nineties.

It is a very wearable (anyway for my 6,75” wrist) 37mm in diameter. So not only in case shape inspired by the vintage Rolex Daytonas, but pretty much having the same size as well. Interesting. The inspiration is obvious but it’s not a homage by any stretch.
The dial layout is 6-9-12 thanks to the Lemania 5100.
This is not the most classic but I don’t mind and knew I can’t go wrong with the legendary workhorse inside and actually loving the center chrono minute hand for its top functionality. (Already had good experience with it on my Sinn 142)

The watch is rather tall with its 14,6mm but it’s sporting a lovely high dome box type acrylic crystal.

The lug with is a very useful 20mm allowing endless possibilities for strap variations.
(In fact planning to get two racing type leathers from watchgecko. One with red accents and a tan rally will be perfect.)

I was lucky to get an example which was advertised as new. I would say it really is close to NOS condition showing only swirls from storage.
Also these things are offering real good value comparing to the nonsense prices from other brands.

Overall I think this is a nice little addition to my small collection. I think it’s time for a SOTC soon before I reorganize or simply come to my mind. (Having 8 chronographs and 6 is automatic out of them so don’t really make sense.)

Enough of words, let the pictures talk for themselves:






















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[seabiscuit]

Great catch! Also love the Breitling Transocean 7102 you have. Would love to see your SOTC.

[RustyBin5]

Nice watch. Has a Tudor big block look about it.

[Lampoc]

That is a stunning little watch from a very underrated brand. Continuing with the Eberhard racing theme, I've got a 42mm Tazio Nuvolari myself - probably too big for your 6.75" wrist but there is a 39mm version.

[witti]

Great catch! Also love the Breitling Transocean 7102 you have. Would love to see your SOTC.

Thanks, trying to get around to shoot some half decent photos soon.

Nice watch. Has a Tudor big block look about it.

Thanks, absolutely but for the fraction of price, I guess.

That is a stunning little watch from a very underrated brand. Continuing with the Eberhard racing theme, I've got a 42mm Tazio Nuvolari myself - probably too big for your 6.75" wrist but there is a 39mm version.

It’s definitely one underrated brand.
I don’t think the Nuvolari would be too big for me. Anyway the Speedy is the same size and wearing even larger monsters sometimes.


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[lasz]

Amazing, a truly beautiful watch, with my favourite mechanical chronograph movement. I usually bemoan the lack of day when it's missing but this one is better off without it, and you've got the Sinn anyway. Congratulations on your purchase.

[cirotti]

Very nice piece..congratulations

[number2]

Very nice Breitling

[witti]

Amazing, a truly beautiful watch, with my favourite mechanical chronograph movement. I usually bemoan the lack of day when it's missing but this one is better off without it, and you've got the Sinn anyway. Congratulations on your purchase.

Thanks, yes I don't mind the lack of day on this (or in general) and you can't go wrong with the 5100.

Very nice piece..congratulations

Thanks

Very nice Breitling

That Breitling is an important piece for me. I bought it from the UK, then sold it back on this very forum and regretted ever since.
Then one day by chance I spotted it on SC and bought it back for basically the same price I sold it for years before.
(Not even mentionning the extra links for the bracelet when came back.)
TZ-UK at its best!

[Foxy100]

Nice, I like that.

[learningtofly]

Lovely. In fact, all three are.

[Steelgecko]

I really love the Champion. Was looking at one on eBay but the condition is nowhere near as good as yours.

One question I have is that all the other examples I have seen in the 90s Champion range appear to have an aeroplane style tip to the running minutes hand; yours seems to have a Tissot-style tip. Are you aware of the reason for this?

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[witti]

Nice, I like that.

Lovely. In fact, all three are.

Thanks for the kind words guys.

I really love the Champion. Was looking at one on eBay but the condition is nowhere near as good as yours.

One question I have is that all the other examples I have seen in the 90s Champion range appear to have an aeroplane style tip to the running minutes hand; yours seems to have a Tissot-style tip. Are you aware of the reason for this?

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Then wait until this hits the SC :))
But joking apart if you search for ref. 31012 you get some beautiful examples with the same type of hand. It seems that they used it for a limited period and mostly togeter with this specific crown shape.
(I find it similar to Sinn where the “straight wing” chrono minute hand was used only in a certain period on the Lemania 5100)

These are pictures a quick google search throw up:

[andy111s]

Really tidy - some of the more left-field 5100s are interesting, some are dire - but yours is a cracker. Nice one.

Another 'left-field' -

[Redwolf]

Wow that’s lovely, very refreshing to see something a bit different.

[Mr Curta]

That's a lovely addition, and gorgeous trio

[witti]

That's a lovely addition, and gorgeous trio

Wow that’s lovely, very refreshing to see something a bit different.

Thanks just put it on new tan leather rally strap for now.

Really tidy - some of the more left-field 5100s are interesting, some are dire - but yours is a cracker. Nice one.

Another 'left-field' -

Thanks but that Eterna is lovely for a ‘left-field’ 5100


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[Steelgecko]

Ah okay thanks for that. Yes I can see several when i search in addition to the ones you posted. Interesting they had two shapes for the hand, I wonder which came first and why they changed.

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[aikiman44]

That’s a beauty. How old is that?

[witti]

That’s a beauty. How old is that?

Thanks, I believe these are late 80s early 90s models.

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