Eterna1000 review

This ETERNA-MATIC 1000 is a man's stainless steel wristwatch dating from the early 1970s. The case is 34.2mm diameter with an overall thickness of 10.7mm.

It is fitted with a cal. 1489 movement which is based on the 1480.

Self winding, 13 lignes (29.3mm dia), 21 jewels.
3 spoke Glucydor balance wheel, Nivarox spring, 21600 beats /hour

This fine example was recently obtained from a collector in Finland and has the original box and outer cardboard sleeve.

It is fitted with an Eterna black lizard strap with signed buckle.

The original signed crown and acrylic crystal are fitted.

The Box is 246 x 65 x 27mm and is dressed in
blue 'leatherette'. It spring snaps shut and is lined in white. The Eterna name and logo are both inside and outside in gold and the white card sleeve has name and logo also in gold.

The Eterna Watch Company is based in Grenchen in Switzerland and has been making watches since the mid 19th century. The famous '5 ball' logo is based on the ballbearing Eterna developed to carry the self winding swing weight

The case is two piece with a screw down rear cover with the common 6 tool engagement points. The watch and strap weigh just under 50 grams. The crown carries the '5 ball' logo and measures 4.4mm in diameter. The crown drapes over a case pipe and has an 'o' ring seal. The strap width is 18mm and the case is 39.5 lug to lug tip.

The Dial is a light silver with a faint radial grain. The hour and minute hands and the indexes are steel with black paint trim. The seconds hand is very fine and is all steel.

The luminous index dots and infill on the hands is tritium based and is almost extinct in the dark. - tritium is a beta emitter with a half-life of 12.6 years.

The silk screened print and minute markers are black and the logo is gold.

The original acrylic crystal carries the '5 ball' logo etched into the inside directly over the hub of the hands. (very difficult to see)

The case has had its finish gone over with 0.5 micron diamond polish to restore the brilliance. There are no marks of any real significance. I will clean and oil the movement soon.

Timekeeping is about +3 seconds / 24 hours worn constantly on wrist.

Eterna watches have not yet realised their potential in the collectors market and in my opinion are a good investment as well as fine pieces to have and enjoy.