A Closer Look at the Sherpa OPS Compressor, with the Newest TRTS Edition

This task is no easy feat, for the story unravels like a rich tapestry woven with history, adventure, and revival. The latest Sherpa offering is the uncoated edition of the OPS, a version of a piece we reviewed last year alongside the Ultradive, made in collaboration with The Real Time Show (TRTS, a twice-weekly podcast). These models are nostalgic nods to the glorious Enicar SA Sherpa Ultradive series from the 1950s and 1960s, the golden years of Enicar horological brilliance, and the new Sherpa OPS – stripped of its DLC coating but not its soul – emerging once more as a testament to a bygone era, a tribute to relentless endurance, and a promise of a legacy renewed. Let’s have a closer look at this impressive, rather unique and no-nonsense dive watch. 

A bit of history

This series, bathed in history and redolent of high-altitude heroics, harks back to the 1956 Swiss Expedition to Mount Everest and Lhotse, led by Albert Eggler. Enicar’s Ultrasonic watches joined this ambitious quest, and in a grand tribute to the Sherpas – those indefatigable guides who heroically led the climbers and lugged ten tons of gear, making the conquest of the peaks possible – the company birthed the Sherpa line, securing the name towards the twilight of 1956.

Ah, the golden decades, when Sherpa was synonymous with top-tier quality: unparalleled compressor cases, recognisable designs, and reliable movements. But time, that capricious devil, was not kind. The eighties rolled in like a bad trip, and Enicar, desperate for sales, began slapping the once-hallowed Sherpa name onto lesser watches. The revered moniker became a catch-all, diluted and cheapened. The ensuing industry crisis hit Enicar hard, a ruthless storm that spared no one.

Enter Martin Klocke, a German collector with a heart full of passion and a wrist full of Enicar. This devotee’s unyielding dedication granted the Sherpa watches a renaissance in 2019. But you already knew all of this, right?

The compressor case

The new version of Sherpa OPS, with its 40mm case, flaunts a satin-blasted finish that teases the eye with the illusion of titanium – modern and featherlight. Yet, dear reader, that ethereal lightness vanishes at first touch, revealing the solid, steadfast heft of 316L stainless steel. At 13.5mm thick, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 49.3mm, it stands as a sturdy companion, fortified with a robust EPSA-STOP compressor bayonet caseback.

Now, behold the twin crowns – nestled snugly within its protective bulge, each a marvel of the unique and proprietary compressor crown system inspired by EPSA Monoflex designs and improved. Here’s the kicker: no screw-down feature. Instead, this watch achieves a remarkable 200m water resistance through sheer engineering prowess. It’s a feat that defies expectations, a nod to the watchmaker’s craft, and a tribute to those bold enough to push boundaries.

Ah, the compressor crown at 2 o’clock. With a deft twist, it commands the inner grey bezel with white and orange markings to rotate bidirectionally, an effortless slide marked by the luminous glow of Swiss Super-LumiNova Grade X1 when in the dark. Just south at 4 o’clock sits its push-pull twin, tasked with the more quotidian but equally crucial duties of setting time, date, and winding the watch. It’s a symphony of precision and function, all under your command.

Then there’s the sapphire crystal. Not just any crystal, but the domed glass-box style one with an anti-reflective coating on the inside and an inner black metallisation on the outer rim. This thoughtful touch, a nod to modern practicality, banishes pesky reflections, making reading your watch’s indications as clear as a mountain spring. It’s an elegant solution, a testament to the blend of form and function that defines this interesting timepiece.

A dial made instrument

Since we turned our gaze to the dial, it mirrors the design of the DLC-coated OPS sibling. The centerpiece is a domed black expanse, encircled by a rotating inner dive bezel and with painted luminous indices. The hour and minute hands are faceted, while the orange seconds hand is needle-shaped, slicing through time with precision. At 3 o’clock, a discreet aperture reveals a red date against a white background – functional and unobtrusive. The Sherpa logo perches above the centre, balanced below by the model name and the word “automatic,” with “made in Germany” modestly printed in a smaller font.

The other side

Flip the Sherpa OPS, and you’re greeted by a caseback etched with the haunting visage of a vintage diver’s helmet, TRTS engraved on its chest plate. That helmet is a tribute to Ervin Piquerez SA (EPSA), the geniuses who birthed the compressor case into the world. TRTS? That stands for The Real Time Show, a twice-weekly dive into the murky depths behind the watch industry’s velvet ropes. The hosts of this auditory carnival suggested the blasted steel case for the Sherpa OPS and thus cemented their place in the annals of horological history.

The straps

The 20mm angled, sculpted lugs securely hold the Tropic-style watch strap, made of robust vulcanised rubber and with spring bars for easy change. There are a few colours to choose from (black, olive green, off-white, and orange). Each complements the watch nicely while providing it with a different look.

The movement and vibes of compassion

Despite – or perhaps because of – its ties to the vintage Enicar Sherpas, the OPS piece exudes a contemporary charm that transcends its historical roots with a distinct, modern appeal. Martin Klocke and his cadre of horological savants have fashioned a homage to the storied past of Sherpa timepieces, elevating it with contemporary flair. Sherpa Watches has gone the extra mile, laser-engraving a pair of wheels in the movement (top-grade Sellita SW200-1 base with a 38-hour power reserve) with a microscopic rendering of a traditional Himalayan Buddhist mantra. This piece of esoteric artistry is said to send out vibes of love, wisdom, and compassion from your wrist straight into the world. In addition, the brand commits a percentage of each watch sold to a worthy cause in the Sherpa region of Nepal.

The rabbit hole

Does the blend of good causes, good vibes, unique aesthetics, and exceptional quality justify the steep EUR 6,200 price tag of the Sherpa OPS Compressor? My friends, this is a rabbit hole we can avoid diving into here. The Sherpa OPS is a finely crafted watch, with all parts made in Germany or Switzerland, a joy to handle and a delight to own. Many will eagerly partake in the renaissance of this legendary series without baulking at the price, which, all things considered, is justified. To learn more, visit sherpawatches.com.