Eterna Kon-Tiki Bronze Manufacture Watch
Eterna is a Swiss watch brand that we are very familiar with. The brand was highly popular in the United States throughout the 20th century and was increasingly of interest after the famed Kon Tiki expedition. Founded more than 160 years ago in Grenchen, Switzerland, the brand is known for its top-notch mechanical watches, including its famed invention, the Eterna-Matic rotor — the first wristwatch with an integrated alarm, and the Eterna Spherodrive ball-bearing-mounted barrel. This year, the brand surprised and delighted us with the new Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch.
The Kon Tiki expedition took place in 1947, and the explorers wore Eterna watches.
We wrote about the Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch back in March during BaselWorld 2017, but now this splendid timepiece is in stores — just in time for the holidays. Because 2017 marked the 70th anniversary of the famed 1947 KonTiki Expedition (whereby scientists and explorers crossed the Pacific in rudimentary hand-made rafts to prove that ancient civilizations could have done it), Eterna — which is the timepiece worn by the sailors on their stressful adventures — unveiled several important KonTiki and Super KonTIki watches this year — but the bronze is our favorite.
Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture Watch
The Eterna KonTIki Bronze Manufacture watch is highly affordable and houses a Manufacture movement.
There are so many reasons we love this watch, not the least of which is — of course — the fact that the case is crafted in bronze. As a diver watch, water resistant to 200 meters, this good-looking watch packs a powerful punch. The dial, which remains true to the Eterna KonTiki styles, is crafted in a grainy jet-black finish that resembles stone and that will not reflect sunlight. It features triangular luminescent hour markers for easy reading under water, and an outer minute track with luminescent finish. The look is at once both simple, bold and dynamic.
The Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch is also fitted with a ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel, equipped that features a decompression limits scale with large triangular marking for easy reading. The vintage-inspired leather strap is also water resistant and offers a grand finish to the watch and a look of balanced tonality. Of course, the 44mm bronze case will oxidize over time and wear.
As to the movement of the Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture watch, i is an in-house-made caliber, Eterna 3902A, that beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers 65 hours of power reserve. Now for the true good and bad of the piece. The good (or great) is that this watch retails for an incredible price of just $2,650. But the down-side is that just 300 pieces are being made. Dive in fast.
Eterna KonTIki Bronze Manufacture watch, photo courtesy of our good friends at Monochrome-Watches.com.
I remember watching some of the previous films of the Kon Tiki expeditions and found them ( as a boy! ) fascinating. Now as a guide for watch enthusiasts and collectors the interest in the rafts and their adventures is renewed thanks to Eterna.
Interesting article thank you ! Roy Slater Hill at Swiss watch tours