First Love - KonTiki

My first kiss from the Eterna Kontiki came in San Francisco in 2001.  I had come back to America after nearly ten years teaching English in Japan, Portugal, Finland and Scotland.  If I am honest, I was only aware of watches on a very peripheral level.  I knew Rolex, and of course knew Omega as I had a spiffy yellow Schumacher Speedmaster that I had picked up in Finland with the extra money I had made tutoring a wealthy family's kids English that summer in St. Andrews.  But I really did not know much.

I plumped up for an Eterna Super Kontiki COSC certified, blue dial.  I found it at Seregin's which at that time was just behind the Macy's in Union Square. 

That watch saw me through what were perhaps the two most tumultuous years of my life.  We moved back to the US, I started a job that was way above my abilities to handle and spent 15 hour days struggling to keep my head above water.  

And as I was in the English teaching business with oversight of three schools in California and one in Chicago, 9/11's arrival that bright September morning was something that challenged me beyond belief.  My phone rang off the hook for 36 hours straight with calls coming from concerned parents from all over the world wanting to make sure their children were safe.  I am not a parent, but for the weeks that followed I was a surrogate for a few more than a thousand young people.

Courtesy of Eterna

We don't need watches.  We have cell phones, we have (seemingly) a million ways to know the time without a watch.  But what we wear on our wrists?  It does more than tell time.  In many ways it is personal iconography.  It reminds us of a place and time.  It reminds us of challenges, of difficulties, of triumphs.  It reassures us when we might fear that all is lost.  And all is never lost.  And that Eterna Kontiki while not making me feel invincible, made me confident that things would be okay.  And as it turned out, they were.

The new Eterna Royal Kontiki exudes the same feeling for me.  And if I were in the store "choosing", this would be my choice.  The Eterna Royal Kontiki Chronograph is subdued, but seemingly ready to measure the time the most challenging situations.  It has hit what I have come to refer to as a "memory nerve".  

Here are the details, straight outta' Grenchen -

Royal Kontiki Chronographe

7755.40.50.0280

Movement: Eterna Calibre 3916A
Casematerial: Stainless steel; 42.55 mm
Casefloor: Case back screw-fitted; sapphire crystal opening
Dial: Anthracite
Strap: Stainless steel; folding clasp
Watchfunction: Hour, minute, second, date, chronograph

BaselWorld and Eterna

So hanging out with Bruno, Samir and Evelyne I got to see some cool things at the Eterna booth.

Courtesy of Eterna

One of them was the Eterna Royal KonTiki Chronograph GMT.

A 45 mm stainless steel case protects Eterna's 3927A's movement.   This is based on Eterna's Calibre 39 which is updated with flyback chronograph along with a second time zone and date display (between 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock).

I personally really like the color combination, but I also realize that it might not be everybody's "baby".


Yes, this came out in January, but just a reminder as it was there at BaselWorld.

All Hail the KonTiki!

Well it would seem that yesterday was not a "one off" because what did I find in my in-box this morning but the latest version of Eterna's iconic watch the KonTiki.

Courtesy of Eterna

But this is NOT your average dive watch.  Not even your typical "dive chronograph".  Let me hip you - this is the Royal KonTiki Chronograph GMT.  So that means it's an ETA with module, or maybe a Valjoux?  NOPE!

Courtesy of Eterna

Because under the hood is Eterna's first "proprietary" chronograph movement.  This is based on Eterna's calibre 39 and referred to as the Eterna caliber 3927A.  A flyback chronograph has been paired with a GMT feature and I have to say that it is exciting to see Eterna FINALLY moving forward with their movement making and placing those movements in the KonTiki.  Let's hope this is now a sign that Eterna is ready to roll!

The case is stainless steel, measuring 45 mm in diameter paired with a stainless steel bracelet that is accented with PVD.  The dial is one of the most pleasing features - blue and red and REALLY striking.

I have followed Eterna for years, the KonTiki diver (50th anniversary) was my first real dive watch.  I have what could be considered an "unhealthy" love for the KonTiki.  Well, love can be like that, and I have to say that this is a very, very welcome addition so let's hope that this is a new positive direction for Eterna.

Here are the specs per Eterna -

Royal KonTiki Chronograph GMT / Technical specifications

Movement: 
Eterna calibre 3927A

Case:
Stainless steel, 45 mm

Dial:
Blue and red

Strap: 
Stainless steel with PVD

Functions:
Hours, minutes, seconds, flyback chronograph (with hour, minute and second counters), 24 hour indicator

Tales of the KonTiki

In a triumphant return to BaselWorld, ETERNA has presented one of their most exciting collections ever!

Courtesy of ETERNA

This is the Royal KonTiki.

All Hail the Royal KonTiki Two Time Zones!

Courtesy of Eterna

Now I don't want to mislead anyone, but with the announcement of this newest member of the KonTiki family I almost senses that the team in Grenchen had made a new watch just for me!