Eterna- Thoughts/ Opinions

[nikaiyo2]

Just wondering what the PH collective feeling is towards Eterna? They seem to have some interesting in house movements and the new Kontiki really appeals.

[DS3R]

In the ascendency for sure, but prices for their new in house stuff are.. Optimistic given what they compete against.

I wanted to like the Adventic, but the huge blank space on the RHS of the dial is just daft when you have a date window hiding in the GMT dial. The Madisn 8 day has a fabulous looking movement but is about 12k SFr, which is a lot.

I appreciate the sentiment behind the 5 bearing logo, but can't help but feel it looks like something you'd buy from the Kays catalogue, and not froma serious watchmaker.

Personally I'd buy a Porsche Design (all made by eterna using the name under licence) at a fraction of the cost

[bobbybee]

DS3R said:

Personally I'd buy a Porsche Design (all made by eterna using the name under licence) at a fraction of the cost

Some PD are eterna made, earlier models were made by IWC and Orfina

[DS3R]

bobbybee said:

Some PD are eterna made, earlier models were made by IWC and Orfina

Good point, well made,the current batch I meant having just looked again at the P6612's on offer (permanently) at swiss watch co.

[bobbybee]

DS3R said:

Good point, well made,the current batch I meant having just looked again at the P6612's on offer (permanently) at swiss watch co.

I quite like the look of those, especially the version with the matching Ti face, very much like the way the bracelet is made.
Not sure I could spend that much of a 'fashion' brand though, no matter what is powering it.

[nikaiyo2]

bobbybee said:

I quite like the look of those, especially the version with the matching Ti face, very much like the way the bracelet is made.
Not sure I could spend that much of a 'fashion' brand though, no matter what is powering it.

Why do you say 'fashion' brand? I have always thought Eterna was quality manufacturer...

[DS3R]

nikaiyo2 said:

Why do you say 'fashion' brand? I have always thought Eterna was quality manufacturer...

I assume he meant Porsche Design, and yes, Eterna has a long history, including establishing ETA to make parts to sell to other watch manufacturers (now part of Swatch and of course, current scourge of the industry thanks to their declining sale of parts outside that group). In recent years, as with so many companies, Eterna has changed owners a few times and goodness only knows what is left of that history now, but thats only the same as many brand names (see: rst of swatch group...)

[DS3R]

Oh, and no idea if these are in the current line up, but a bit less "odd triangles on the dial" than the Kontilki, and look prtty good to me, but I'm a sucker for a moonphase

http://www.chrono24.com/en/eterna/soleure-chronogr...

http://www.chrono24.com/en/eterna/tangaroa-chronog...

[bobbybee]

nikaiyo2 said:

bobbybee said:

I quite like the look of those, especially the version with the matching Ti face, very much like the way the bracelet is made.
Not sure I could spend that much of a 'fashion' brand though, no matter what is powering it.

Why do you say 'fashion' brand? I have always thought Eterna was quality manufacturer...

PD is a fashion brand, not Eterna is what I meant.
Like Bvlgari is a jewellery brand, but their earlier Scuba-Pro chronographs were powered by GP.
Or currently Ralph Lauren watches which are JLC inside.

You pay a premium for the fashion house aesthetics , rather than a watch from a watch house so to speak.

[nikaiyo2]

DS3R said:

Oh, and no idea if these are in the current line up, but a bit less "odd triangles on the dial" than the Kontilki, and look prtty good to me, but I'm a sucker for a moonphase

http://www.chrono24.com/en/eterna/soleure-chronogr...

http://www.chrono24.com/en/eterna/tangaroa-chronog...

They are a bit "dress" for me.
http://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/brands/ete...

Is what I am considering. I have wanted an original Super kontiki for ages, but they are either in terrible condition or re-finished or a load of money

To be honest my worry is that they appear to be distributed by Gevril in the USA, so does that mean they are going to become a TV special with retail values of $10,000,000 but today you can get it on E Z PAY for $299.99...

[redchina]

Back in the day ( but not doorin the waar) Eterna's were up there in price with Omega.
Maybe not now, but the old ones...

[Tahiti]

Some of the vintage pieces (the divers in particular) are stunning. A KonTiki Super for example is high up on my drool list (there are military issue ones for those who like that side of collecting too).

[gt6]

Just saw this topic and i am a big fan of eterna watches. owned a Kontiki 1958 model for 15 years having bought it from a local shop who had stopped selling watches, it had been a window display since the early sixties, it has a solid gold bevel and dark blue face with gold numbers (not roman numerals) and a steel bracelet. Only ever seen one like it on any other site and that was for sale for many times what i paid , After the last service it keeps amazing time and losses less than a second a day

[andy tims]

I had a very quick look at their range at Salon QP. The Super KonTiki 1973 Heritage was the highlight for me.

[SVS]

Revived because I recently handled an Eterna Military 1939 Limited Edition and was blown away. If ever a watch was better in the metal than in pictures, this was it. The watch’s finishing and quality feel are significantly above Longines, perhaps on a par with Omega.



I hope we see more from Eterna.