Ebel is not the most active brand, to say the least. But if the product is okay, it helps a lot. Ebel was a force to be reckoned with in the 1980s and early 1990s. The brand was everywhere, from the wrists of the world’s best tennis players to the wrists of children who had just turned 18. I have never done any solid market research that would lead me to a statement like this: So this is just my intuition, but that’s what I’m going to do. Let’s make it anyway. Ebel was an 18th birthday, graduation, and retirement watch. why? That’s because the brand had a good advertising campaign, the price was right, and the curvaceous look was appealing and easy to recognize. The 2024 Ebel Sport Classic is a modern explosion from the past.
Ebel Sports Classic reminds me of the 90’s and everything I loved about that era. Looking back, in the carefree days before social media, when I was a student, I went to see Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and listened to Jeff Buckley’s Grace in 1994. It gave me plenty of time to do things. I wasn’t wearing an Ebel, but a Baume & Mercier Formula 1 chronograph that looked great with my black 1991 Air Jordan 6s. At least that’s what I thought. Still, Ebel watches were everywhere, and the then-newly installed watch radar found them everywhere. For the past 30 years, not much has remained of Ebel’s workshop. Although the brand has gone silent, it continues to create new watches, but they are not entirely new.
“New” 37mm Ebel Sport Classic
Picking up the Ebel Sport Classic brings back memories of the ’90s, but it’s worth mentioning that it debuted in 1977. The 2024 Ebel Sport Classic you see here is essentially a 47-year-old watch. The model has evolved slightly over time, but the vibe remains the same. The galvanic green dial with sunray finish is a recent addition to the “new” 3-hand Sport Classic.
The rounded, brushed case has moderate proportions, measuring 37 mm in diameter from 10 o’clock to 4 o’clock (40 mm from 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock including the crown) and 8.85 mm thick, from the lugs to It is 41mm to the lugs. The relatively small 29mm dial has reflective rhodium-plated Roman numerals, polished sword-shaped hands, and a date window at 3 o’clock that displays the date in black on a white background. Also, the back is under a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment. The composition is rich, but not too cluttered, and to some extent it subdues the shiny green dial.
Show off your imperfections*
The “imperfect” five screws around the polished bezel looks perfect to me. I don’t like functional things used for decoration. The misalignment of the screws gives it a subtle look (this is one of the reasons I prefer vintage IWC Ingenieurs over modern versions). And the Sport Classic’s elegantly thin steel wave link bracelet has a polished and brushed surface.
It perfectly matches the shape of the case, and the way the polished parts shine is probably why this watch still works decades after it was first introduced. With a design this great and original, who needs a massive marketing campaign? Don’t answer that. That’s a rhetorical question.
Ebel is marketed to women, but don’t let that deter you
Full transparency here. There’s not much to say about the Ebel Sport Classic. I must mention the folding clasp. It’s small and comfortable, and the square center section with the Ebel logo ties it all together. The Sellita is equipped with an SW300 automatic movement housed in a 5 ATM waterproof case, visible through the transparent case back. This caliber has an average power reserve of 42 hours, which helps keep the watch case nice and thin.
The 37mm Sport Classic has a modern look, a nostalgic feel, and even better, it fits my wrist perfectly. Currently, Ebel’s website describes it as “designed for women,” but I objected to this. A classy and sporty 37mm watch with smooth, flowing lines and dazzling touches, it’s perfect for men like me who appreciate a warm, nostalgic vibe.
Now, if you take a closer look, you’ll find that Ebel also lists this watch in the men’s section. In any case, don’t let others dictate your style. And the reason to buy or not buy this watch is the style. Of course, you don’t buy this watch for the sublime and unique movement. Of course, you can also buy one just because your relative turned 18. But before you go online or head to your local Ebel dealer, you might want to know the price. The price of this Ebel Sport Classic is 2,900 euros. Please let me know if it is a fair price. After listening to another great album from the 1990s, Alice in Chains’ Dirt, my brain couldn’t handle financial matters.
*Flaunt the Imperfection is a 1985 album by China Crisis that featured the hit song “Black Man Ray.”
