Here is a gent's ETERNA-MATIC wristwatch dating from the early 1950s. The case is of stainless steel with
a screw back and has a Eterna signed Crown (5 balls). The movement is 12.5
lignes (27.6 mm) cal 1247 selfwinding 17 jewels, 18000 beats per hour. The watch was obtained in working condition but the case had been buffed in an attempt to minimize scratches, resulting in a dull finish. The dial was discoloured but in fair condition. The hands were very slightly corroded. The acrylic and movement were removed from the case which was polished using 0.5 micron diamond paste on a Dremel and the acrylic polished with metal polish by hand and refitted. The movement was dismantled, cleaned and oiled. There is some wear on the mainspring arbor bushes but generally the movement is fair for its age. The blued steel hairspring appears to magnetized (coils tending to stick together) and will later be de magnetized. The re assembled watch is gaining 70 seconds overnight - probably due to slight magnetization of the balance spring. The case measure 32.8 mm diameter, 11 mm thick, 41.6 mm lug tip to tip and the strap size is 17 mm. With strap it weighs 45 gm. |
The case is fairly 'sharp' despite having been subjected to buffing in its past.
The back is plain and has only the 6 point tool recesses and the 7 digit
serial number still visible. The signed crown is worn but very much authentic.
The acrylic does not have the 5 ball logo in its centre so may not be original
- did Eterna mark crystals in the |
The dial has an anodized finish and cleaned up very well from a dirty yellow to a
two tone champagne colour. The hands are silver and have corroded a bit,
especially the seconds hand which show signs of having had a red tip. All
in all the dial and hands are good enough to be left thus maintaining the watches
true character |
Scratching inside the rear cover indicate only one watch maker's mark. The
condition of some of the movement screw heads indicate a rather poor skill - I
have seen worse. The movement generally shows scratches and small blemishes
which are purely cosmetic but indicate several handlings. All the pivots
were 'bone dry' and the watch was lubricated with Synta - Lube oils. The
balance wheel has poising screws and a steel spring. Incabloc shock protection
is fitted. Eterna use the 5 ball bearing for the rotor, which they invented, as their logo |
Here is an image of the watch as it was received from the dealer. It was a very good buy considering its age and the condition was good, despite the case buffing ! |
From a vintage collectors point of view I believe that Eterna watches are good to
get due to their not yet having been taken up seriously. They do represent an important part of Swiss watch history. |