FeatureAn Eternal Saga: Introducing Eterna And Their Top Watches

Since 1856, Swiss watch company Eterna have been helming the production of some of the most outstanding timepieces that marry tradition and innovation in a quest for horological excellence. These watches are great exemplars of meticulous attention-to-detail and outstanding craftsmanship, which have stood the test of time as a testament of the brand’s unwavering commitment towards crafting high-quality timekeepers with remarkable precision and accuracy. The brand forged its way forward in a manner where no one could question the reliability of their movements. And this was driven by the passionate desire to ace challenges as well as to continuously improve the existing features in their watches. It all started when Josef Girard, a physician, and Urs Schild, a school teacher, founded a movement-blank workshop on November 7, 1856 and named it ‘Dr. Girard & Schild’, which was renamed ‘Eterna’, some decades later and it was only around in 1889 that the name Eterna appeared on a watch dial for the first time.

Eterna: Built On Tradition, Driven By Innovation, Inspired By Emotions

Over the years, the brand have continued to produce some ground-breaking innovations that have changed the horological landscape. Eterna are credited with introducing the Eterna-Matic in 1948, which was different when compared with other automatic movements of that era. This innovative self-winding calibre featured a ball-bearing mounted rotor system, which greatly improved the efficiency and durability of automatic watches. This was also the time when the brand pioneered the creation of the five-ball-bearing rotor system, which has become a standard in modern automatic watch movements. This design enhances the rotor’s stability and reduces friction, resulting in better accuracy and improved performance.

Since 1856, Eterna have been helming the production of some of the most outstanding timepieces that marry tradition and innovation in a quest for horological excellence

These watches are great exemplars of meticulous attention-to-detail and outstanding craftsmanship, with remarkable precision and accuracy

Eterna KonTiki Explore the Collection

Prior to the invention of the Eterna-Matic, the brand garnered attention for its KonTiki timepiece, which survived 101 days of Pacific winds and currents, and travelled all the way to Polynesia from the coasts of Peru. It wasn’t until the late 1950s that the KonTiki acquired its badge of serial production. In 2004, Eterna designed and built the 6036 movement for the Porsche Design P’6910 Indicator. Composed of 800 components, it displayed elapsed time spans digitally and featured four barrels, which made it one of the most complex series-manufactured movements of its time.

Today, Eterna is still characterised by this ingenious creativity and the current collections are built upon respect for Swiss fine watchmaking traditions along with the zeal to pioneer new design and technology. Here’s a look at some of their outstanding watches from the top collections.

KonTiki Collection

The KonTiki collection is inspired by the legendary Kon-Tiki expedition led by Thor Heyerdahl in 1947, and celebrates the spirit of exploration and adventure. Launched in 1958, the collection comprises timepieces that showcase robust and durable designs, apt for outdoor activities and sports. There are certain distinctive characteristics of these bold and sporty watches such as intricate dial patterns, luminescent hands and markers, and robust, yet elegant, straps. Some models also incorporate elements inspired by the KonTiki expedition, such as engraved casebacks depicting the famous KonTiki raft or other symbols of adventure and exploration.

The KonTiki collection is inspired by the legendary Kon-Tiki expedition led by Thor Heyerdahl in 1947, and celebrates the spirit of exploration and adventure

₹3,20,000

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Launched in 1958, the collection comprises timepieces that showcase robust and durable designs, apt for outdoor activities and sports

₹3,00,000

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There are certain distinctive characteristics of these bold and sporty watches such as intricate dial patterns, luminescent hands and markers, and robust, yet elegant, straps

₹3,20,000

Check Our Selling Price

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They are built of tough materials, in most cases stainless steel or bronze and have an impressive water resistance of up to 200m, making them apt dive watches as well. The collection also includes some exclusive timepieces such as the KonTiki Automatic Four-Hands—a unique piece, which features four distinctive hands to display time and is also equipped with a date function. This watch is driven by a Sellita movement with a power reserve of approximately 38 hours, operating at a frequency of 28,800vph. The collection also has a rich reserve of basic three-hand timekeepers, robust chronographs, and quartz watches.

Eternity Collection

The Eternity collection embodies timeless elegance that the brand is known for and these watches feature simple yet sophisticated designs, suitable for both formal and casual occasions. For this, the brand have played up on the nostalgia of the 1950s and 60s—an era when dress watches were a rage. The timepieces in this collection borrow heavily in terms of the design codes and feature round cases, clean-and-clutter-free dials, with three-hand timekeeping. The sophisticated watches, crafted in stainless steel also feature a minimalist design with slender dagger hands and index markers. There is a traditional timepiece with two hands and a date window positioned at three o’clock, while the other is an elegant chronograph, equipped with three traditional sub-dials, positioned at three, six, and nine o’clock respectively.

The Eternity collection embodies timeless elegance that the brand is known for and these watches feature simple yet sophisticated designs, suitable for both formal and casual occasions

The line also has elegant chronographs, equipped with three traditional sub-dials, positioned at three, six, and nine o’clock respectively

Eterna Eternity Shop the Collection

Adventic Collection

The Adventic collection pays homage to Eterna’s rich history in fine watchmaking. These timekeepers often blend classic design elements with modern innovations and sporty elements, resulting in watches that exude the brand’s collective idea of heritage and refinement. The watches featured here come in sleek, polished cases with sword-shaped hands. The dial features a blend of Roman numerals and index markers, along with a small seconds sub-dial, positioned over six o’clock and a date window placed under the 12 o’clock marker. The split date window defines the heritage language of the brand which was taken from some of the earliest models created by Eterna.

The Adventic watches blend classic design elements with sporty elements, and the watches featured here come in sleek, polished cases with sword-shaped hands

The dial features a blend of Roman numerals and index markers, along with a small seconds sub-dial, positioned over six o’clock and a date window placed under the 12 o’clock marker

Eterna Adventic Shop the Collection

This collection also has a GMT variant, where the small seconds counter is replaced by the second time zone at six o’clock and the seconds are displayed at nine o’clock, along with a date aperture positioned at three o’clock.