A famous slogan from 1956 was ‘faithful and relentless as a Sherpa’. Virtually no expedition to the Everest and neighbouring mountains could do without the Sherpas - even today.

It’s the heart that ticks

Every timepiece created by Sherpa Watches has a story.
Because every watch is hand built and represents the craftmanship of all the German and Swiss watch makers, case manufacturers, dial creators and mechanical engineers involved. Their love for the iconic watches that explored oceans and conquered Mount Everest in the 1950s reflects in every detail.
We combine the revolutionary watch case designs from the past with modern techniques and the highest quality materials to ensure our watches will stand the test of time.

Sherpa Watches is dedicated to bringing back the most legendary watch models. We relaunch designs that have become true treasures among vintage watch collectors and offer something remarkable for anyone who has yet to discover the Sherpa heritage. Sherpa Watches pays tribute to the achievements of the original Enicar S.A. brand that conquered the watch world during the golden age of tool watches.
And at the same time, we honour the humble Sherpa people that inspired the Swiss pioneers in naming their most ambitious model line from 1956 on.

Iconic design meets state of the art engineering.
Imagination meets perfectionism.
Devotion meets emotion.
It’s not only mechanics that makes Sherpa Watches tick.

It’s a heart.

It’s the heart that ticks

Every time piece created by Sherpa Watches has a story. Because every watch is hand built and represents the craftmanship of all the German and Swiss watch makers, case manufacturers, dial creators and mechanical engineers involved.

Sherpa Watches pays tribute to the achievements of the old Enicar S.A. brand that conquered the watch world during the golden age of tool watches. And at the same time, we honour the humble Sherpa people that inspired the Swiss pioneers in naming their most ambitious model line from 1956 on.

Iconic design meets state of the art engineering.
Imagination meets perfectionism.
Devotion meets emotion.
It’s not only mechanics that
makes Sherpa Watches tick.

It’s a heart.

A famous slogan from 1956 was
‘faithful and relentless as a Sherpa’.
Virtually no expedition to the Everest and neighbouring mountains could do without the Sherpas - even today.

Old Enicar SA Lengnau building
Sherpa Ultradive compressor dive watch
Old Enicar SA Lengnau building
Sherpa Ultradive compressor dive watch

Sherpa Ultradive and OPS

Sherpa Ultradive and OPS - true compressor dive watches

We are proud to introduce the first two Sherpa Watches models, now available for order: the Ultradive and the OPS. Both inspired by the models created in the mid-sixties by Lengnau based watch manufacturer Enicar S.A. and revisited to grace the wrists of everyone with a passion for classic dive watch designs and an eye for quality and durability.

The Sherpa Ultradive and the OPS sport a robust bayonet compressor case that measures 40 mm in diameter, excluding the crowns and crown protection. Both case size and crown protection guards are identical to the original Sherpa models from 1968, just like the revolutionary water-resistant technology as developed by Ervin Piquerez S.A. (EPSA) – yet updated to today’s technologies.

Finally, after more than 60 years, the true ‘Compressor Dive Watch’ is reborn.

Sherpa Ultradive and OPS

We are proud to introduce the first two Sherpa Watches models, now available for order: the Ultradive and the OPS.
Both inspired by the models created in the mid-sixties by the original Lengnau based watch manufacturer Enicar S.A. and revisited
to grace the wrists of everyone with a passion for classic dive watch designs and an eye for quality and durability.

The Sherpa Ultradive and the OPS, wrist favourites of countless professional deep-sea and military divers from the past, cult actors like Alain Delon and now world-famous musicians like Ed Sheeran, sport a robust bayonet compressor case that measures 40 mm in diameter, excluding the crowns and crown protection. Both case size and crown protection guards are identical to the original Sherpa models from 1968, just like the revolutionary water-resistant technology as developed by Ervin Piquerez S.A. (EPSA) – yet updated to today’s technologies.

Even the unique bayonet compressor case back construction, originally named EPSA-STOP, and the re-invented MONOFLEX compressor crowns are present in our Ultradive and OPS to grant you the full authentic ‘Compressor Dive Watch experience’. Finally, after more than 60 years, the true ‘Compressor Dive Watch’ is reborn.

Sherpa Ultradive and OPS - true compressor dive watches
Sherpa OPS
Durable satin black DLC coated stainless steel case - rotating inner diver’s bezel - Domed dial with printed indices
EPSA-STOP bayonet compressor case back construction - Re-invented MONOFLEX compressor crowns (no screw-down)
MORE INFO/ORDER HERE
Sherpa Ultradive
Polished stainless steel case - rotating inner diver’s bezel - domed dial with applied indices and diamond polished facets
EPSA-STOP bayonet compressor case back construction - Re-invented MONOFLEX compressor crowns (no screw-down)
MORE INFO/ORDER HERE
Sherpa x TRTS OPS
Stainless steel, satin blasted stainless steel finish - rotating inner diver’s bezel - Domed dial with printed indices
EPSA-STOP bayonet compressor case back construction - Re-invented MONOFLEX compressor crowns (no screw-down)
MORE INFO/ORDER HERE
Sherpa Ultradive & bracelet
Polished stainless steel case - rotating inner diver’s bezel - domed dial with applied indices and diamond polished facets
EPSA-STOP bayonet compressor case back construction - Re-invented MONOFLEX compressor crowns (no screw-down)
MORE INFO/ORDER HERE
Sherpa OPS
Domed sapphire boxglass crystal that withstands 20 bar of water pressure - Mantramatic MM01 automatic movement with fine decoration and gilt finish - Tropic style watch strap, made of robust vulcanised rubber - Price: 6200€ incl. 19% VAT
MORE INFO/ORDER HERE
Sherpa Ultradive
Domed sapphire boxglass crystal that withstands 20 bar of water pressure - Mantramatic MM01 automatic movement with fine decoration and gilt finish - Tropic style watch strap, made of robust vulcanised rubber - Price: 6400€ incl. 19% VAT
MORE INFO/ORDER HERE
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Mantramatic: the world’s first good vibes watch

Sherpa Watches has embraced the craftmanship and high-quality engineering from the Swiss pioneers. We have made every effort possible to elevate the concepts and techniques from the golden age of watch making into the present. The timeless designs of the Ultradive and the OPS did not need much finetuning, as their look and feel are as outspoken today as they were half a century ago. On a technical level, our watches surpass their predecessors in terms of accuracy, water tightness and durability. And as a world’s first we added a hidden gem of minuscule proportions, for large impact.

The mechanical movement inside the Ultradive and OPS is not a regular automatic. It is a Mantramatic! We microscopically laser engraved a traditional Tibetan Buddhist mantra OM MANI PEME HUNG, which is very commonly used in the Sherpa region on two of the wheels, (using a custom created Tibetan font). Following widespread Himalaya Buddhist tradition used in prayer-wheels, the wheels in the movement rotate constantly, sending out vibes of love, wisdom and compassion from your wrist straight into the world – 30 million times per year. With the naked eye you will not notice the mantra is there. Instead, you will feel it.

The drive for happiness is vital. It’s what keeps us in motion.

Richard Gere, actor, Buddhist and Tibet-activist

Mantramatic: the world’s first good vibes watch

The mechanical movement inside the Ultradive and OPS is not a regular automatic. It is a Mantramatic! We microscopically laser engraved a traditional Tibetan Buddhist mantra very commonly used in the Sherpa region on two of the wheels, (using a custom created Tibetan font).

Following widespread Himalaya Buddhist tradition used in prayer-wheels, the wheels in the movement rotate constantly, sending out vibes of love, wisdom, and compassion from your wrist straight into the world – 30 million times per year. With the naked eye you will not notice the mantra is there. Instead, you will feel it.

The drive for happiness is vital.
It’s what keeps us in motion.


Richard Gere,
actor, Buddhist and Tibet-activist

Europa Star
“My brand was born from the watch archives.”
Fratello
"The Sherpa Ultradive and Sherpa OPS are two of the most intriguing watches I’ve laid eyes (and hands) upon recently.“
"Sherpa Watches: Über die abenteuerliche Reise eines Uhrenliebhabers."

A journey through time

1953 
Ervin Piquerez S.A. introduced the brevet 314962 bayonet compressor case design with the diver’s helmet logo, later known as “EPSA-STOP” or “Seapearl”.

1956  
Ervin Piquerez S.A. introduced the brevet 337462 compressor crown design, later known as “MONOFLEX”.

A Swiss expedition team sponsored by Enicar S.A. Lengnau reached the summit of the Mount Everest and Lhotse. To pay tribute to the Sherpas that guided them, their watch models were renamed ‘Sherpas’.

1964  
Enicar S.A. introduced the Sherpa Ultradive with clever guards on the case in between the crowns. The Sherpa OPS was introduced shortly after.

1977  
The Swiss watch industry was in deep crisis. Seiko on the other hand had the largest revenue stream of any watch company in the world.

2019
Sherpa Watches officially registered the tradename ‘Sherpa’ in the EU and the iconic EPSA diver’s helmet logo.

2020
The development and redesign of the OPS and Ultradive models and underlying technology were started.

2021
The Sherpa Watches OPS and Ultradive are introduced at the WatchTime event in Düsseldorf.

2022
Since July 2022, the Sherpa Watches OPS and Ultradive are in production and being sold. They are made in a limited series of 150 pieces each in our watchmaker’s atelier.

The case is ceasing to be a mere device for protecting the watch movement. It is now fully integrated with the watch.
Mr Ervin Piquerez, founder of EPSA, 1972

1953

First bayonet
compressor case
Ervin Piquerez S.A. introduced the brevet 314962 bayonet compressor case design with the diver’s helmet logo. This was later known as “EPSA-STOP” or “Seapearl”.

1956

The Sherpa
is born
A Swiss expedition team led by Dr Albert Eggler and sponsored by Enicar S.A. Lengnau reached the summit of the Mount Everest and Lhotse. To pay tribute to the Sherpas that guided them, their watch models were renamed ‘Sherpas’.

1977

The Quartz
Revolution
The Swiss watch industry was in deep crisis. Seiko on the other hand had the largest revenue stream of any watch company in the world.

2020

Re-inventing
the classics
Sherpa Watches changed into a GmbH and the development and complete redesign of the OPS and Ultradive models and underlying technology were started.

2022

OPS and Ultradive
in production
Since July 2022, the Sherpa Watches OPS and Ultradive are in production and being sold. They are made in a limited series of 150 pieces each in our watchmaker’s atelier.

1956

MONOFLEX
crown design
Ervin Piquerez S.A. introduced the brevet 337462 compressor crown design, later known as “MONOFLEX”.

1964

Enter the OPS
and Ultradive
Enicar S.A. introduced the Sherpa Ultradive: their first super compressor dive watch with clever guards on the case in between the crowns. The Sherpa OPS was introduced shortly after.

2019

Sherpa
as a brand
Sherpa Watches officially registered the tradename ‘Sherpa’ in the EU and the iconic EPSA diver’s helmet logo and started from scratch with research, mechanical engineering and product development.

2021

OPS and Ultradive
reborn
The Sherpa Watches OPS and Ultradive are introduced at the WatchTime event in Düsseldorf, including the re-invented EPSA-STOP bayonet case back and the MONOFLEX compressor crowns.

Dive in deeper...

Alain Delon and Lino Ventura wearing a vintage Sherpa Ultradive in "Les Aventuriers"

Alain Delon and the Ultradive –

Alain Delon, Anthony Delon and the Ultradive watch The Sherpa Ultradive and the Delon family share a fascinating common history.In the legendary French movie „Les Aventuriers“ from 1967 all three male protagonists wear Sherpa Ultradive dive watches made by the original Enicar SA company from Switzerland. Alain Delon, Lino Ventura and Sergio Reggiani all wore at

Read More »
EPSA Ervin Piquerez compressor patent drawing

Compressor system

The EPSA (super) compressor rediscovered and re-invented A water-resistant watch with two crowns is a (super) compressor watch, right? Not quite. In a way, this could be true for vintage watches, but in fact, not always. And for today, this is even more doubtful, as nearly all double crown &

Read More »
The original MONOFLEX compressor crown by EPSA, Ervin Piquerez SA, original illustration from an advertisement

Compressor crown

The MONOFLEX crown As hinted in our last blog post about the Compressor principle invented and widely used by EPSA for cases of various watch brands of the 1950s and 1960s, also the crowns used in the EPSA cases featured the compressor principle. EPSA called them MONOFLEX crowns and they

Read More »

Sherpa Watches
and the Sherpa people

At Sherpa Watches, we pay respects to the heritage of the great Sherpa watch models from the past. We also honour the Sherpa people whose reliability and toughness, yet at the same time friendly, relaxed and happy attitude are still well known around the world.

We believe that we should give something back. Sherpa Watches will donate a percentage of every watch sold and give it to a good cause in the Sherpa area in Nepal. We chose “Sagarmatha next” in the Khumbu region and the Nepal Himalaya Sherpa foundation in Kathmandu, both supporting different projects in the Sherpa regions of Nepal.

Sherpa Watches and the Sherpa people

At Sherpa Watches, we pay respects to the heritage of the great Sherpa watch models from the past. We also honour the Sherpa people whose reliability and toughness, yet at the same time friendly, relaxed and happy attitude are still well known around the world.

Virtually no expedition to the Everest and neighbouring mountains could do without the Sherpas. And even when there are no expeditions going on around the high mountains of the region, the Sherpas are active: regular cleaning expeditions, transporting masses of expedition relics, trash, and left debris down from the sacred mountains.

Because we chose to use their name as a brand, and thus profit from their reputation, we believe that we should give something back. Sherpa Watches will donate a percentage of every watch sold and give it to a good cause in the Sherpa area in Nepal. For our first two watch models, we chose “Sagarmatha next” in the Khumbu region and the Nepal Himalaya Sherpa foundation in Kathmandu, both supporting different projects in the Sherpa regions of Nepal.

The creative force behind Sherpa Watches

Every Ultradive and OPS watch is constructed from either Swiss made or German made watch parts, only including partners and suppliers that have earned their respect in the international watch world. Key-values like sustainability, authenticity, innovation, and supreme engineering is what our team unites. And last but not least: the passion for the iconic watch designs from the past.

Martin Klocke,
founder of Sherpa Watches

Martin Klocke is a Swiss born passionate engineer, Buddhist, and long-time admirer of iconic watch brands like Roamer, Certina, Bulova, Enicar, Junghans and Favre-Leuba. He studied the now classic Sherpa watches from the past and is dedicated to have these celebrated models reborn and made available to a world-wide audience.

In Switzerland, Martin unravelled the secrets of highly respected watch case producer Ervin Piquerez, to stay true to the original technology, style, and quality. Together with a dedicated team of Swiss and German craftsmen, he is the driving force behind the first Sherpa Watches OPS and Ultradive models: divers that proudly show their heritage and meet the today’s demands in terms of accuracy and durability.

The creative force
behind Sherpa Watches

Every Ultradive and OPS watch is constructed from either Swiss made or German made watch parts, only including partners and suppliers that have earned their respect in the international watch world. Key-values like sustainability, authenticity, innovation, and supreme engineering is what our team unites. And last but not least: the passion for the iconic watch designs from the past.

Martin Klocke,
founder of Sherpa Watches

Martin Klocke is a Swiss born passionate engineer, Buddhist, and long-time admirer of iconic watch brands like Roamer, Certina, Bulova, Enicar, Junghans and Favre-Leuba. He studied the now classic Sherpa watches from the past and is dedicated to have these celebrated models reborn and made available to a world-wide audience.

In Switzerland, Martin unravelled the secrets of highly respected watch case producer Ervin Piquerez, to stay true to the original technology, style, and quality. Together with a dedicated team of Swiss and German craftsmen, he is the driving force behind the first Sherpa Watches OPS and Ultradive models: divers that proudly show their heritage and meet the today’s demands in terms of accuracy and durability.

Laurent Auberson,
(watch) designer

Switzerland
With lots of experience in the watch industry and an incredible feel for proportions.

Cyrano Devanthey,
Bumont GmbH

Switzerland
Established watchmaker, constructor (designer) and movement designer, mechanical mastermind.

Family Reisch / Rongen,
Cador GmbH

Germany
The family led company behind the finest dials made in Germany.

Frank Lipkow,
L-Tec Brabender GmbH & Co. KG

Germany
Fine and precise laser engraver and creator of the world’s first Tibetan Buddhist mantra on an anchor and seconds wheel.

Albert Zeller, RC Tritec, Swiss Super-LumiNova

Albert Zeller Jr.,
RC Tritec

Switzerland
Responsible for the custom-made Sherpa Orange Swiss Super-LumiNova and all luminous material in our watches.

Tobias Renz,
Uhrmacherei

Germany
Experienced watchmaker who assembles each watch and ensures highest standards to the final finish.

Laurent Auberson,
(watch) designer

Switzerland
With lots of experience in the watch industry and an incredible feel for proportions.

Cyrano Devanthey,
Bumont GmbH

Switzerland
Established watchmaker, constructor (designer) and movement designer, mechanical mastermind.

Family Reisch / Rongen,
Cador GmbH

Germany
The family led company behind the finest dials made in Germany.

Frank Lipkow,
L-Tec Brabender GmbH & Co. KG

Germany
Fine and precise laser engraver and creator of the world’s first Tibetan Buddhist mantra on an anchor and seconds wheel.

Albert Zeller, RC Tritec, Swiss Super-LumiNova
Albert Zeller Jr.,
RC Tritec

Switzerland
Responsible for the custom-made Sherpa Orange Swiss Super-LumiNova and all luminous material in our watches.

Tobias Renz,
Uhrmacherei

Germany
Experienced watchmaker who assembles each watch and ensures highest standards to the final finish.

Nicolas Dörflinger,
Kaiser Ingenieurbüro GmbH

Germany
Micro-injection moulding and high precision tool making, illustrating their vast experience in this area.

Sebal SA

Switzerland
Supplier of high-quality sapphire box glasses, 100% swiss made from raw sapphire to last finishing.

René Gschwend,
RGB X-Tech AG

Switzerland
Passionate and experienced precision engineering and manufacturing company, responsible for our custom rotor.

Rolf Koch,
RM Lifestyle GmbH

Germany
Watch case maker par excellence with long standing experience in high-end watch cases.

Estima SA

Switzerland,
Watch hands supplier with a long tradition, already involved with the old Sherpa series by Enicar S.A.

Martijn van der Ven
Eliska Slováková
Maarten Coolen

Netherlands
Immensely creative team and project support, responsible for communication, website, photos and booth.

Nicolas Dörflinger,
Kaiser Ingenieurbüro GmbH

Germany
Micro-injection moulding and high precision tool making, illustrating their vast experience in this area.

Sebal SA

Switzerland
Supplier of high-quality sapphire box glasses, 100% swiss made from raw sapphire to last finishing.

René Gschwend,
RGB X-Tech AG

Switzerland
Passionate and experienced precision engineering and manufacturing company, responsible for our custom rotor.

Rolf Koch,
RM Lifestyle GmbH

Germany
Watch case maker par excellence with long standing experience in high-end watch cases.

Estima SA

Switzerland,
Watch hands supplier with a long tradition, already involved with the old Sherpa series by Enicar S.A.

Martijn van der Ven
Eliska Slováková
Maarten Coolen

Netherlands
Immensely creative team and project support, responsible for communication, website, photos and booth.