Revisiting Something Awesome

Now in fairness, this piece of horological drip (that means dope, which means tight, which... gentle reader, means good) came out some time ago -

Courtesy of Eterna

I go to a LOT of watch events/shows.  Typically, I am not wandering around gawking. I am manning the tables, talking about the brand I am representing, listening (more often than not) to yet another devotee of all things Rolex go on and on and on and on (sorry, just wanted to give you the flavor) and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about their reference -"ireallygiveashitxjy32skeedoo - you know the one Steve McQueen was wearing while he was taking a bath with his first wife. No, not the one with the Hanhart! No, not the one with the Tag Heuer, the ROLEX one!!!"

The scene, invariably, is Brooklyn or some other similar environ. Ironic tattoos and beer that you didn't want to drink when you were in high school flood your senses with a visceral overload instilling you with an unshakeable conviction that you are truly an alien in a foreign land. COVID-19 is scary enough, don't get me going on Millennialitis!

But I digress...

I think, invariably, we all are looking for something that we identify with. And for better or worse, a strong part of my personal watch identification, my "horological looking glass self" if you will, is intertwined with the Eterna Kontiki. 

Courtesy of Eterna

And this bronze green goodness continues to haunt my waking dreams. But I promise, I will not corner you at a watch gathering wearing a trucker hat with Pabst Blue Ribbon in one hand, and droning on endlessly.  I'll let the watch do the talking ; )

Should you be of a similar mind, 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 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, second

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

Corum and Eterna - Slightly New Ownership

Word made its way to the North Shore offices of Tempus Fugit yesterday that Corum - 

                                                                    

and Eterna -

    

will soon be under new (albeit fairly familiar) ownership.

As most of you know, each brand was purchased by Citichamp.  And I have gone on record several times and will do so again here - the reason why Eterna has struggled is not new. It was struggling long before Citychamp came in, and in fact Eterna would have been dead and buried if Citychamp hadn't placed their bet.

So what's the big news? Mr. Kwok Lung Hon who if my reading of things is correct is the majority shareholder in Citychamp. And as it happens, Mr. Hon decided to purchase the two brands and is now, in effect, the owner.  And in many ways this is big news. At about the same time that Tata decided to eschew its investment in Favre Leuba, Mr. Hon has sacked up and put his marker on the table.

This could mean a few things, but I am a HUGE Eterna fan, which is not entirely unlike being a Cleveland Indians (soon to be a different name) fan.  I come from a city called "Believeland", where sometimes you have to go on hope. And my hope is that maybe, just maybe this is going to mark a turning point.  Maybe Eterna can finally get the CEO they need and deserve.  Maybe Corum will continue to focus on what makes it special and hopefully begin to truly grow again. The pieces are there, and hopefully Mr. Hon's decision to take ahold of these two brands himself will lead to better things ahead.

Time will tell, but at a time where others are throwing in their hands, this Eterna fan is saying thank you, and welcome to Believeland! 

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.

Time to Sack Up - Eterna Can Be Saved

In the city of Grenchen, on the train line from Biel/Bienne to Basel, there is a once mighty watch manufacturer that now lies (mostly) dormant.  A beautiful factory and administration building that evokes memories of Willy Wonka's factory.  An owner with enough money to (if they wanted to) not just save the company, but truly resurrect it.  But just like that fictitious confectioner, the building is a shell of its former self.  It would seem that nobody goes in, and nobody comes out.

And for some of us hard-core Eterna fans?  This is frustrating.  In fairness, a very solid sales network has been created by some very talented people who are out there, every day, preaching the gospel of Eterna and the KonTiki.  So a lot of the pieces are already in place.


So a few simple suggestions -

1.  Eliminate everything on the menu except the KonTiki.  Focus on three different versions with the same "guts".  In essence, a single version with three different "flavors".  As any parent will tell you, you never ask a kid what flavor of ice cream they want.  You will be there all day.  Simply ask them - "Do you want ice cream?  Great, we have chocolate, vanilla or strawberry."

Do this for one to two years.  Simply put?  You are guaranteed to sell a lot of this model, and take that time to revamp and slowly introduce new collections.

2.  Find a real turn-around specialist.  Look beyond the hucksters and the confidence men that you have been turning to.  Sorry, I have to call this one like I see it.  The people making the hiring decisions when it comes to the top spot at Eterna keep making some flawed choices.  And once again, I refer to Moneyball:

 “Managers tend to pick a strategy that is the least likely to fail, rather then to pick a strategy that is most efficient," Said Palmer." The pain of looking bad is worse than the gain of making the best move.”
― Michael Lewis, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

How many CEOs and "interim" leaders do you need to go through before you maybe look in a different direction?  Stop worrying about making a potentially embarrassing decision, because guess what?  That ship has sailed!  You've made enough bad hiring decisions to last the next ten years.

But there is one guy out there, one person out there uniquely qualified to fix Eterna.  Note that I DID NOT say fix Corum and Eterna.  Let's focus on one problem at a time ; )

There is one person out there who could objectively identify the troubles at Eterna, offer honest analysis without being fearful of keeping everyone happy, and would leave his ego out of the equation.  He is perhaps the most influential person in the Swiss watch industry that you've never heard of, and he and a few of his long-term teammates could not only get their hands around this situation, but chart a course to the sea of success.

Citichamp, if you're reading this and you're ready to sack up and try to right the good-ship Eterna?  Drop me a line!  I won't even charge you a finder's fee ; ) 

3.  COMMUNICATE!  Silence, in this particular situation?  Not golden.  Stop waiting for the press and fans to come to you - go to them.

About Love - Lost and Found

This is a story of Boy meets Watch, Boy falls in love with Watch, Boy loses Watch...

Boy finds Watch again!  

Yesterday a rather unexpected surprise arrived here at Tempus Fugit HQ.  Before you ask, no this is not a review.  The Super KonTiki on my wrist is now my own, a gift from a dear friend.

My love affair with the KonTiki is about as long and filled with ups and downs as a romance novel.  Back at the turn of the century, Wendy and I had relocated from Finland to San Francisco.  It was an exciting, yet very challenging time.  The US was my home, but having lived overseas for so many years, I felt like a stranger in my own country.  When I had left the US in 1992 I was 23, young and excited to have found work in Japan.  8 years and 4 countries later I returned married, and with a job as a newly minted operations director for an international education company.  If we were sticking to the romance novel format, you could say I left a boy, but returned a man.  And not only did I come back to the US older (if not necessarily wiser), I also returned with a fascination for watches.

And it was one day while wandering around downtown San Francisco that I stumbled into Seregin's just behind the Macy's store on Union Square.  And there it was, the Eterna Super KonTiki 50th anniversary.  I knew nothing about Eterna, but it winked at me somewhat beguilingly, and I was hooked.  I traded my Tudor Prince (bought and owned long before vintage Tudor became as hot as it is now), and put down my credit card for the balance.  That watch was on my wrist EVERY DAY.  This was back when I believed that you only needed (and should therefore have) only 1 good watch.  It was on my wrist when I got another promotion, it was on my wrist on September 11th when I ran back and forth between the downtown school and headquarters with my cell phone blowing up with calls from concerned parents from all over the world - including my own.  It was on my wrist when we opened two new schools, it was on my wrist when I was informed that my services were no longer required by the company that had brought me to the US from Helsinki.

And it was at this point that I had some tough choices to make, and some realities quickly revealed themselves.  I went from being a self-assured (somewhat smug) decently paid leader of people to being one of the many tens of thousands out of work in the Bay area.  And I realized that given my new financial situation, my Super Kontiki was a luxury I could no longer afford to keep.  So it was with a heavy heart that I sold it, and I moved on.

That was 2002.  Suffice it to say, my employment situation improved after a year or two, and slowly evolved to the position that I now hold and truly enjoy, working with people to help them get back into school, re-start their career, re-start their lives.  I am truly lucky.  And many watches have come and gone over those 15 plus years.  But I never forgot that first KonTiki.

And it seems that maybe, just maybe you can go home again - at least in terms of what is on your wrist ; )

Here's the thing - it doesn't matter if it's a Patek Philippe or a SWATCH.  It's about passion.  A personal, visceral feeling that you have connecting you to your watch. It is at this moment that the item on your wrist is no longer just a time keeper, it is a personal icon.  

So here's to that connection, because after everything is said and done, it's a watch.  But it's that connection that makes it special.

Enjoy your watches!

You Can Go Home Again

A bit about me.  1n 1985 I was seventeen years old, getting ready to start my final year of high school.  My father had remarried and the polite way to reflect back on that time would be to say that his new wife was not a fan of the family that came with her new husband.  Owing to this I moved back to my hometown and was spending the remainder of my summer working at the now (I am assuming) defunct Selenti's Pizza (Oberlin), living on my own and (not always successfully) trying to take control of my life and my future.  And about that time, two of my friends came back from summer vacation with some pretty nifty SWATCH watches.  And I became fairly obsessed.  So I saved up some pizza money, returned some soda bottles, and off I went to the Midway Mall (another long forgotten relic to another time) and did my best to choose.  And I chose this one -

Shamelessly borrowed from Squiggly

The Calypso Diver.  You can, I believe, still purchase an original Calypso Diver from the good folks at Squiggly in the Netherlands.  SQUIGGLY SITE

Spoiler alert - I managed, despite my best efforts, to graduate Oberlin High School in 1986.  From there a misfire at Slippery Rock University, then off to the University of Oregon.  And that Swatch Calypso Diver made the journey with me.  It saw me through high school graduation, it traveled to the Marshall Islands, and made sure (as best it could) that I got to the majority of my classes at U of O on time.

Somewhere along the way, that SWATCH was lost.  And I got older and my tastes evolved to other watches.  A Tag Heuer F1 (red and green rubber), a yellow Omega Speedmaster Schumacher, and perhaps my all-time favorite - an Eterna Super KonTiki 50th Anniversary.  Plenty of other SWATCHES came to me as they are fun, and my wife Wendy has a great eye for picking out a fun SWATCH.  But I always felt a bit of wistfulness about the absence of the Calypso Diver.  It had, in many ways, marked the beginning of my adult life.  It saw me through the type of dramatic highs and lows that only a particularly self-absorbed person can experience ; )

And then, 32 years later, SWATCH has brought out this sweet 
baby -

This is the Hamarace from SWATCH.  And yes, gentlereader, you can go home again. 

But more and more, I have come to learn that home is not necessarily a question of where you're from, it's a statement about where you're at.

Enjoy your watches!

A Brand Ambassador Will Fix EVERYTHING!

So that we are clear:

1.  Eterna by all accounts was in "not exactly great" financial condition just before BaselWorld.  Checks were written, suppliers paid, and FRESHLY minted Eterna CEO David Traxler assured one and all at BaselWorld that everything was just fine.

2.  Two short months later?  Mr. Traxler is out of both Eterna, and the brand he was originally hired to guide - Corum.

3.  It slowly emerges that A LOT OF MONEY has been lost at Eterna.  A LOT OF MONEY.

4.  As is inevitable, layoffs begin to happen, and other functions are absorbed into the sister company - Corum.


So of course, what better time to announce a new brand ambassador!

I am certainly not making any claims to be the smartest guy out there, but this is a PR move that lays bare the fundamental disconnect that has consistently dogged Eterna.  An absolute failure to recognize, understand and adapt to the reality of the situation they are in.  It also underscores a bit of a cavalier attitude towards their (now) departed employees.  I am sure it will give them a nice warm and fuzzy feeling reading about this new partnership as they wait in line at the unemployment office to fill out paperwork....

So, from the Bureau of Completely Misguided PR Moves -

Courtesy of Eterna

Fabio Scherer was announced as a "chum" of the brand towards the end of June.  So while several customers were left chasing their tails in an attempt to confirm that the bronze KonTiki watch that they had pre-ordered would actually be delivered, young Master Scherer was in La-Chaux-de-Fonds (NOT Grenchen, by the way) to be photographed in his newly updated driving gear, replete with the Eterna logo, wearing an Eterna KonTiki (which I would hope in all of the name that is good and correct WAS NOT one of the aforementioned bronze KonTikis).

A great deal of the press that circulated was about the importance of "timing".

I couldn't agree more...

The Transfer Window Opens -

At Eterna And Corum -

Courtesy of Courm

After weeks of speculation, the City Champ version of The Bachelor has ended, and Jérôme Biard has emerged from the final Rose Ceremony holding the final rose.

Whether or not it is a good idea to make a singular appointment to have oversight of two brands is debatable.  But considering that Eterna has lost more staff than Marie Osmond has lost pounds over multiple Nutrisystem campaigns, it seems that Eterna is the needier of the two corporate children for adult supervision.  

Eterna has been a poster child for corporate dysfunction going back longer than I've been writing this blog.  And while there have been some less-than-spectacular leaders at the helm of the flagship in Grenchen, there have also been a few that were hindered from doing as well as they were capable because of the corporate culture that has pervaded Eterna for more than 10 years.  Ownership has changed hands a few times.  Previous CEOs have come and gone.  What has remained consistent?  A pervasively negative internal "company vibe". 

If my math is right, this is the 8th leader of Eterna since 2011.  For many of us, we have equated a promotion to running Eterna with a duck being promoted to a l'orange.  

And as mentioned before, it is profoundly convenient for the xenophobes currently bemoaning Eterna's poor performance to claim that it's all down to the current ownership.  'Cause, you know, they were clearly not born lily white and Swiss.  

Numpties!

Courtesy of the Urban Dictionary:

numpty

Dialect, chiefly scots. A bumbling fool or one who is intellectually challanged.
(plural : numpties)

"they numpties couldnae organise a pissup in a brewery."
In reference to MSPs( members of scottish parliment)

by Gerry K. April 26, 2005

Can Eterna be fixed?  Sure!  But the owners need to realize that the change is not just needed at the top, but bottom up.  Eterna had an amazing PR team for awhile.  Starting in 2014 to now after that person left, it has been run by a largely indifferent group suffering from a major case of millennialitis.  

Some suggestions?

Eterna currently has three valuable assets:

1.  The KonTiki - focus on doing that and doing that well.  Get rid of some of the clutter.

2.  Movements - but maybe try to actually get them out to the brands and microbrands who have committed to buying them rather than leaving them dangling.

3.  A magnificent facility - odd idea, but perhaps lease some of the space of the facility out to an assembler in exchange for a reduced price paid to said assembler.  Otherwise?  Start doing casing and assembly again.  Arrange tours of the facility.  Create a "assemble your own watch" day where people from the general public can come in and take a one or two day program that teaches them the basics, and under supervision they can assemble their own watch.  It's a great corporate activity that companies as well as individuals would be anxious to take advantage of.  Promotes the brand and puts Eterna watches on new "brand ambassadors"

Lastly?  Create an official online store and stop feeding the grey market.  I sincerely wish Mr. Biard good luck and God's speed in his new appointment.  A lot of us really want to see Eterna succeed.  I personally am ready for some actual good news and a little less hyperbole thinly veiled as reassurance.  Let Eterna be all it can be, but perhaps the brain trust at City Champ and the folks at Eterna need to stop trying to be what they are not now, and never have been.



After everything is said and done, you can pump millions of dollars into a brand, but that will never guarantee results.  You have to punch your weight.  Let's hope that this is an approach that Eterna is finally ready to accept and embrace. 

Here is the release as received from City Champ this AM:

Jérôme Biard appointed Director of European Timepiece Division
7th July 2017 - Citychamp Watch & Jewellery Ltd is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jérôme Biard as Director of the Watch Division on the European Board of Directors of Citychamp Watch & Jewellery. 

Mr. Jérôme Biard will take over the management of Corum and Eterna on 1st of September; Which includes the implementation of the overall strategy initiated by the Board of Directors and the general management of the operations of the two brands.

A veteran in the watch industry with more than 25 years’ experience, including 16 years at Richemont in sales and marketing for Vacheron Constantin and Cartier. In 2005, he assumed the role of International Sales Director for Girard-Perregaux and in 2009 was appointed CEO of LPI (Weitnauer Group) - a luxury watch & lifestyle distribution company for the Russian market, as well as Turkey and Brazil, including the creation of a retail division by capitalizing on his vast business development experience. Mr. Biard’s extensive experience in the watch industry will be an asset to the Group’s profitability and diversification. 

Mr. Jacques-Alain Vuille is pleased to continue to share with Mr. Jérôme Biard the experience he has gained during his 37 years in the company.

"The thing about the old days: they the old days."

Disappointing Is pretty much the best word I have to sum up the latest release from Eterna, the newest iteration of the KonTiki.  In this instance it is a ladies model.  And at least from my own perspective, it is what is sometimes symptomatic of the struggles brands go through to try and stabilize the boat in turbulent times.

What is intriguing in the press release is that Eterna goes to great lengths to extol the virtues of the earlier ladies KonTiki, but in looking at the "before" and "after" images, it would seem, to quote Slim Charles in The Wire -

Courtesy of HBO / The Wire

So here is some of the "before" -

Courtesy of Eterna

And to assure you, the customer, of the "bona fides" of the new ladies KonTiki -

Courtesy of Eterna

Well, that was then, this is now -

Courtesy of Eterna

Courtesy of Eterna

Courtesy of Eterna

Courtesy of Eterna

Courtesy of Eterna

There are some very nice touches to this collection, and in fairness, as a man I am clearly not in this particular demographic as a potential customer.  So myself, I'm not feeling it.  But then again, as I said, I am not the target customer ; )

So as ever, here are the pertinents, draw your own conclusions.  

MOVEMENT
Sellita SW200-1, power reserve 38h

CASE
Polished and brushed stainless steel

CRYSTAL
Scratch-resistant, anti-reflective, sapphire crystal

DIMENSIONS
∅ 36.4 mm/11.10 mm

DIAL
White MOP, endowed with 7 diamonds (Top Wesselton, 0.07 carats)

Light silver, Opaline 

STRAP & CLASP
White rubber, alligator imitation, pin buckle

Polished and brushed stainless steel and PVD 4N, Folding clasp 

FUNCTIONS
Hour, minute, second, date 

Just Give Me a Watch

There are times when you want a simple, yet timeless watch.  Hours, minutes, seconds and date.

This is a member of the KonTiki collection from Eterna.

Courtesy of Eterna

Finished off with a stainless steel bracelet.  A gentle reminder that simple doesn't mean dumb.  It means elegant, timeless and something you'll want to wear EVERY DAY.  Water resistant to 200 meters, safe and dry in all environments.

Here are the pertinents -

Movement: 
Casematerial: Stainless steel; 42 mm
Casefloor: Case back screw-fitted
Dial: Silver
Strap: Stainless steel; folding clasp
Watchfunction: Hour, minute, second, date

The Super KonTiki Chronograph

From Eterna -

Courtesy of Eterna

I joined a cult back in 2001.  It wasn't anything I planned.  I had just finished a particularly grueling dentist's appointment.  Not feeling too sharp, I wandered San Francisco's downtown and found

The Lady KonTi­ki Diver

From Eterna -

Courtesy of Eterna

This is Eterna's latest offering of the KonTiki family, a woman's diver.  But this is not a dainty little waterproof cocktail watch.  This is (in my opinion) a sensibly sized dive watch measuring 38 mm.

The case is of polished and brushed stainless steel with a matching bracelet with gold pvd accents.

Courtesy of Eterna

A Sellita SW200 movement sits under the off white dial (featuring 7 diamonds).  The unidirectional rotating bezel bears the traditional count down scale of a true dive watch, and is enhanced by the blue ceramic bezel treatment.  Water resistant to 200 meters, this is a true dive watch, not merely a fashion accessory.

Here are the pertinents -

1280.66.69.1734
Movement
Sellita SW200

Case
Polished and brushed stainless steel PVD 5N, bezel with blue ceramic ring

Dimensions
38mm

Dial
O white, endowed with 7 diamonds (Top Wesselton, SI1, 0.0665 carat)

Bracelet & clasp
Polished and brushed stainless steel and PVD 5N, folding clasp

Functions
Hour, minute, second, date

Price
CHF 1’890.- € 1’950.- 

KonTiki - Another View

Eterna is, of course, known for the KonTiki.  When we think of the KonTiki these days our thoughts tend to jump right to dive watches.

Courtesy of Eterna

But that is a shame, because the KonTiki started life as something other than a dive watch.  So I thought it might be interesting to have a look at the modern KonTiki in a more "traditional" format.

Courtesy of Eterna

These pieces are from the KonTiki Date series.  Hours, minutes, seconds and date.  Clean, easy to read, and nothing superfluous.

Courtesy of Eterna

When you really think about it - what was the watch REALLY worn by the crew of the KonTiki on that first voyage?  Something like this.  Although maybe not with a gold bezel and crown ; )

Courtesy of Eterna

42 mm in stainless steel.  Self winding movement.  Water resistant to 200 meters.

Available in stainless, stainless black PVD, and Stainless with Gold PVD.