Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch honoring the 70th anniversary of the famed KonTiki expedition.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of scientist and explorer Thor Heyerdahl’s legendary KonTiki expedition across the Pacific in hand-made crafts. To celebrate, Eterna marks the occasion with a limited edition timepiece, KonTiki Bronze Manufacture.
The 1947 KonTiki expedition was an undertaking to prove that ancient civilizations could indeed traverse the Pacific Ocean in hand made crafts. The crew was only equipped with rudimentary tools except for a radio and six Eterna time pieces. The nautical experiment was a success and in addition the six timepieces remained intact, proving their durability against salt water, temperature fluctuations and a host of other stresses. Since that time, Eterna has produced KonTiki watches that recall the adventurous and pioneering spirit of the expedition.
KonTiki Raft from 1947 expedition, which Eterna honors this year with the new KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch.
The Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture Watch Details
The features on the face of the Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch remain true to the iconic line. Large luminescent triangular markers denote the 3,6,9 and 12 positions and smaller luminescent triangular markers indicate the remaining hours. The look immediately jumps off the dial, thanks to the shimmering jet black granite pattern — providing contrast and added legibility. The watch is framed by a unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel, equipped with a decompression limits scale as a backup instrument for divers (it indicates how long they can stay under water without needing to decompress). It is water resistant to 200 meters and is presented on a water-resistant durable leather strap with vintage look in chocolate brown to bring out the warmth of the bronze case and lugs. The watch is powered by the Calibre Maison Eterna 3902A that beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers 65 hours of power reserve.
The KonTiki Bronze Manufacture will be limited to 300 pieces and makes for another consideration in the recently increasing and competitive bronze line of watches we have seen from a number of manufacturers. The nautical history of Eterna and the KonTiki line pair well with the historical use of bronze in maritime activities. Bronze has long been used for ships, as it is durable and resistant to the corrosive effects of salt water.
The dial of the Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch is jet-black granite pattern and features luminescent markers for easy underwater reading.
Because bronze oxidizes, giving it a greenish/brown copper layer that protects it from the elements, it has been both a coveted and not-so-coveted material for timepieces. In recent years, though, a handful of watch brands recognize that each watch case forms its own patina based on the wearer — making it a very personal accessory or tool. It also offers a rugged, vintage look — one that Eterna smartly utilizes for this commemorative watch.
Impressions, Price of the Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture Watch
The 44mm Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch is a bold study of history, vintage appeal, functionality and modernity. All in all, this is a worthy competitor in the somewhat-rare bronze watch market. The KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch will retail for a super price of $2,650. But remember, just 300 pieces are being made — so i would run, not walk, to the nearest authorized retailer.
