The Compact Ebel Sport Classic 37mm Automatic

Ebel, founded in 1911, was one of the few Swiss watch brands that prospered during the quartz crisis. One of its most popular and enduring collections was the quartz-powered Sport Classic. Introduced in 1977, the Ebel Sport Classic was a slim, sporty chic model with a rounded, hexagonal case, a distinctive bracelet composed of wave-shaped links and a flat bezel with five screws. Cleverly marketed with leading figures of the day, some of you might remember the original slogan associated with Ebel as the architects of time.  Enjoying something of a comeback, Ebel recently launched a 37mm diameter reference of its Sport Classic with a Swiss mechanical movement and an attractive green dial (among other colours).

While the collection still offers quartz-powered models, the mechanical representatives of the Sport Classic are available in 29mm and 40mm cases with a larger 42mm skeletonised model. In line with current trends, Ebel expands its offer with a unisex 37mm diameter reference with time and date functions. The good news is that the stainless steel case upholds the original slim profile of the family and has a thickness of just 8.63mm. On the other hand, the 50m water-resistance is a little disappointing for a sporty-looking watch, but the thinness of the case helps to make up for this. 

Still retaining the defining features of its 1977 ancestor, but toned down and modernised, the rounded hexagonal case is satin-brushed with a crisp polished bevel. The tapering wave-shaped links feature a horizontal brushed finish with polished bevels that emphasise its sleek, flowing contours. A defining trait of the Sport Classic is the round polished bezel and five polished screws (not aligned).

The attractive galvanic green dial has a silky-smooth sunburst finish with fine lines radiating from the centre creating a play of light at different angles. Prominent rhodium-plated Roman numerals add a classical touch, while the date window at 4 o’clock stands out with its white background matching the minutes scale on the periphery. The faceted hour and minute hands and the central sweep seconds hand steer clear of luminescent accents. While the green dial version has been the focus of this article, there are two other models with equally attractive ‘earth brown’ and ‘mint blue’ dials.

A sapphire crystal on the screwed-down caseback offers a view of the 4Hz Sellita SW 300-1 automatic movement (an alternative to the ETA 2892) with a 56-hour power reserve, quick-set date, stop-seconds device and a customised openworked rotor.

The Ebel Sport Classic 37mm Automatic retails for EUR 2,900. For more information, please visit Ebel.com.