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Eska Tank - Turquoise and Black Lacquered Dial

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Details

A Small Watch That Refuses To Be Normal

This Eska Tank may remind you of a Cartier Tank at first glance, then immediately doesn’t. Square case, compact proportions, classic Tank inspiration, but finished in a way that stops you. At 23 mm, it wears small, but the dial gives it presence far beyond the size.

Why The Dial Is So Special

The hand-painted turquoise and black dial is the highlight of this piece. The color contrast is bold, graphic, and very much of its era. It has amazing vintage character with visible spidering and a small spot around five o’clock. Featuring a playful contrast, this watch pairs a gold-plated case with a faux diamond accent near 8 o'clock.

What You Need To Know Before Wearing It

Condition is good overall. The case is in good shape with normal wear for age. The dial shows spidering and a small mark near five o’clock, clearly visible and part of its character. The crystal is in good condition. The watch is fitted to a leather strap with an aftermarket buckle. The manual-wind movement is confirmed to be running properly after passing by our test bench. The watch comes with its original box, which is uncommon for pieces from this tier and era.

Why This Watch Still Works

This is not a substitute for a Cartier Tank. It is something else entirely. A small, expressive watch made by a brand willing to do things its own way. It works for someone who values originality over logos and understands that true one-off dials matter more than reference numbers. 

 

Bracelet extension, cutting, or sizing is available upon request through our professional in-house jewelers.

Key Specs

Series: Tank

Movement Type: Manual wind

Dial: Turquoise & black painted

Size: 23mm

Bracelet: Leather

Case: Gold-plated

SKU: 129

History

Founded in 1918 by Silvan Kocher and his son Erwin in the Swiss watchmaking village of Selzach, ESKA emerged from humble beginnings as S. Kocher & Co. The brand name itself is a phonetic play on the founder's initials—"ES-KA" from Silvan Kocher. What began as a small family workshop quickly evolved into a respected manufacturer known for producing beautifully decorated wristwatches with small, high-quality calibers and exceptional attention to detail.

By 1937, ESKA's success necessitated a move to Grenchen, Switzerland's renowned watchmaking hub, allowing the brand to expand production and strengthen its international presence. Throughout the pre-war and post-war decades, ESKA carved out a distinctive niche with elegant dress watches featuring guilloché and grained dials, often remarkably thin for their era. The brand found particular success in emerging markets, establishing a loyal following in Brazil, the United States, Australia, and Asia. After World War II, ESKA became equally celebrated for their exquisite ladies' jewelry watches and sophisticated complications including full calendars, moon phases, and chronographs.

The brand's most legendary creation came in the late 1950s—the ESKA Amphibian 600, a robust diver's watch that would become a collector's grail. With its distinctive oversized Bakelite bezel and military-grade construction, the Amphibian 600 was reportedly used by the French Navy and famously worn by Roy Rogers himself. Like many proud Swiss manufacturers, ESKA ultimately fell victim to the quartz crisis of the 1980s, ceasing operations in 1987 and slipping into what collectors affectionately call a "sleeping beauty" slumber—but leaving behind a legacy of fine craftsmanship and understated Swiss elegance that vintage watch enthusiasts continue to treasure today.