Eterna Kon-Tiki
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Why We Love it
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Why We Love it
–Perhaps you've heard of Thor Heyerdahl, or perhaps you think anyone named Thor carries a big hammer. Well, for you unenlightened, Mr. Heyerdahl was probably one of the most badass adventurers the world has ever seen.
So badass, in fact, that in 1947, in an attempt to prove a theory about ancient peoples' ability to make long sea voyages, Mr. Heyerdahl sailed a hand-built raft 8,000 miles across the Pacific. That raft was named the Kon-Tiki.
The inter-webs are replete with differences of opinion about whether Heyerdahl and his crew were actually wearing Eternas when they made the voyage. (According to Eterna's website, they were.) Regardless of the controversy, what we know for sure is that in 1958, in honor of Heyerdahl and his voyage, Eterna created the Kon-Tiki 20 line.Â
This particular Kon-Tiki is housed in a 37mm stainless steel case with a recessed crown, an acrylic crystal, and a caseback with a gold medallion. It features a wildly cool black Tritium dial with applied indices and an almost galaxy-like patina, a matching dauphine handset, and the famed Eterna-Matic movement with trademark five ball-bearing rotor system powering the piece within. It comes fitted to brick-link bracelet with a signed blace clasp manufactured by Gay Freres, perhaps the most famous mid century watch bracelet manufacturer in the world.Â
Whether you’re spending the day at the beach or crossing the Pacific in a balsa-wood boat, you can count on this beauty to get the job done, and look good doing it!
Brand Story
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Brand Story
+Some of the company’s earliest triumphs were in the realm of chronographs, including the debut of a double-pusher model in 1935 and a one with a rattrapante function in 1939. The eruption of World War II saw watches made by Eberhard, like many other manufactures, on the wrist of the world's militaries — a chronograph with a flyback complication was worn by officers in the Italian Navy. Civilian models from this period, with their distinctive 1940s stepped cases and short, curved pushers, are incredibly beautiful examples of contemporary design and rival those from the likes of Universal Genève and even Patek Philippe.
After the War, Eberhard expanded into wristwatch production geared toward practitioners of new sports such as SCUBA diving. Their Scafograph line, first released in 1958, featured 100, then 200 meters of water resistance. The Scafograf 300, which debuted in 1965, featured twisted lyre lugs similar to those of the Omega Seamaster 300, as well as a quirky asymmetrical date window and 300 meters of water resistance. The elegant Scafodat model of the 1960s, meanwhile, is not dissimilar in design to the Polerouter, though it was often equipped with a fine, matching flat-link bracelet and is much more difficult to find on the vintage market.
Though Eberhard exists today under new management and produces interesting, complicated watches, it’s their vintage wares from the 1940s through the late 1960s that best, to our mind, encapsulate the innovative design sensibilities of the original firm.
A:S Guarantee
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A:S Guarantee
+Our Pledge
Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.
Condition
Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.
Warranty
We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.
International Buyers
Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.
Shipping & Returns
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Shipping & Returns
+All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.
Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.
We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.
Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.
We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.
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Eterna Kon-Tiki
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