It's Hard Not To Be Romantic About Watches - The Kontiki Bronze Diver

Courtesy of Eterna

I realize that the world of watch fans can be pretty tribal - Paneristis, Speedmasters, Doxaholics.

Watches are pretty personal, and it goes without saying that not unlike the Sorting Hat at Hogwarts chooses your house for you, in many instances you don't choose your watch, your watch chooses you. And the sorting hat (in tandem with Seregin's of San Francisco back in 2001) chose the Kontiki for me.

The version then was the 50th Anniversary Super Kontiki and it was soooo drip! (according to the young people awaiting sneaker drops in front of Bodega, drip = good). Regular readers will recall that career "trauma" and the realities of living in the most expensive city at the time compelled me to let it go. Regular readers will also recall that a very dear friend gifted me with a 1973 model -

And it remains a valued, trusted companion -

So it is safe to say that I am a committed ; )

But back to today's topic, the Eterna Kontiki Bronze Diver -

Courtesy of Eterna

While the current output of new models from Eterna is not nearly as robust as it once was, hope springs eternal for a comeback, and the Bronze Diver is as good a "spokeskontiki" as you will find ; )
The case is of bronze and measures 44 mm in diameter. The movement is Eterna's manufacture EMC 3902A.

To quote that other great commentator on watches -
Rakim (William Michael Griffin Jr.) of Eric B and Rakim from Follow the Leader:
"Am I eternal or an eternalist?"

It is, quite simply, the shit that killed Elvis!

And safe to say, I'm an Eternalist!"

Should, like me, you be so inclined?  Here are the pertinents -

Ref: 1291.78.51.1430

 

MOVEMENT
Calibre Maison Eterna EMC 3902A, power reserve 65h, 28’800 v.p.h, 30 jewels, 1 ball bearing

 

CASE
All brushed bronze, rotating bezel with green ceramic ring, case back secured with screw, sapphire crystal opening in stainless steel
 

CRYSTAL
Scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire crystal
 

DIMENSIONS
∅ 44 mm / 14.05 mm
DIAL
Green, matt structured
 

STRAP & CLASP
Brown waterproof leather strap, bronze pin buckle
 

FUNCTIONS
Hour, minute, seconds

Feeling Blue (and Bronze) with the KonTiki

From Eterna -

Courtesy of Eterna

Despite the prolonged "Sleeping Beauty" that continues in Grenchen, there are still some wonderful time machines on offer from Eterna, and this is one of my favorites.

The KonTiki is one of those wonderful watches that seems to endure, and the latest options in bronze are definitely special.

The KonTiki Bronze Diver is of bronze and measures 44 mm in diameter. It is water resistant to 200 meters (if the legend on the dial is anything to go by).  The dial is particularly beguiling with a "frosted" texture and white applied indices.  The movement is Eterna's very own EMC 3902A, self-winding with a power reserve of 65 hours.

Should you be so inclined, the suggested retail is $3,580.  

Here are the pertinents -

MOVEMENT
Calibre Maison Eterna EMC 3902A, power reserve 65h, 28’800 v.p.h, 30 jewels, 1 ball bearing

 

CASE
All brushed bronze, rotating bezel with blue ceramic ring, case back secured with screw, sapphire crystal opening in stainless steel
 

CRYSTAL
Scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire crystal
 

DIMENSIONS
∅ 44 mm / 14.05 mm
DIAL
Green, matt structured
 

STRAP & CLASP
Brown waterproof leather strap, bronze pin buckle
 

FUNCTIONS
Hour, minute, second

You Never Get Over your First Love

Eterna, on the whole, reminds me that we very seldom operate from a place of rationality.  And if we're being honest with each other, that runs true in pretty much every facet of the luxury industry.  Common sense tells you that, in essence, it's just a watch.  Calm down, collect your thoughts, be reasonable...

Courtesy of Eterna

Now my common sense tells me that Eterna is, at the moment, not exactly living its "best life".   If my inside sources are to be believed, there is no actual CEO pulling the levers, but rather a consultant who is, well... consulting.  And in the big scheme of things?  Nothing wrong with that, as my understanding they are in "Sleeping Beauty" mode, waiting for Prince Charming to plant one on them.  The head of the movement division has "moved on", and suffice it to say, nobody is entirely sure as to what's next.

But obsession is a very curious thing, and so long as it is kept in a relatively healthy perspective, I suppose that there are worse things to be obsessed about than the Kontiki Bronze Diver.  I can rationalize all that I want, but for me Eterna has always been a romantic connection.  Something that I have never been able to adequately explain in black and white.  It is, I guess, my own sense of Eterna sais quoi.

Although it was a limited edition a few years back, it appears to still be available.  For those so inclined, here are the pertinents -

Ref: 1291.78.51.1430

MOVEMENT
Calibre Maison Eterna EMC 3902A, power reserve 65h, 28’800 v.p.h, 30 jewels, 1 ball bearing

CASE
All brushed bronze, rotating bezel with green ceramic ring, case back secured with screw, sapphire crystal opening in stainless steel
 

CRYSTAL
Scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire crystal
 

DIMENSIONS
∅ 44 mm / 14.05 mm
DIAL
Green, matte structured
 

STRAP & CLASP
Brown waterproof leather strap, bronze pin buckle
 

FUNCTIONS
Hour, minute, second

I for one would really like to see a feel-good, love story-triumphant comeback.  But for now I will live with my obsession.