Eterna Super Kon-Tiki Diver

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 line.

This particular Kon-Tiki, a Diver variant, is housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with an unsigned 'big' screw-down crown, an acrylic crystal, and a screw caseback. It features a wildly cool black Tritium dial with painted 'sharktooth' indices, a matching handset, and the famed Eterna-Matic self-winding movement. Further, it comes fitted to 5-link bracelet with a signed blade clasp manufactured by Gay Freres, perhaps the most famous mid century watch bracelet manufacturer in the world.

Has this Kon-Tiki seen better days? Most certainly. But with all of its wear and patina comes a mysterious aura. It's apparent its previous owners did not believe in the "Safe Queen" mentality and we're sure Mr. Heyerdahl would raise a glass full of a strong beverage to that.

Sure the Rolex Submariner may have been the first dive watch, but did a modern-day Viking wear one while rafting across the Pacific? We think not!

Few Swiss watchmakers can claim to have influenced the development of the modern wristwatch quite as profoundly as Eterna. Founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1856 by physician Josef Girard and schoolteacher Urs Schild, the company began life as a manufacturer of watch movements before evolving into one of the industry's most inventive and technically accomplished firms. Indeed, its contributions to horology extend well beyond the watches bearing its name.

By the early 20th century, Eterna had established a reputation for innovation, introducing one of the world's first series-produced alarm wristwatches in 1914 and developing increasingly sophisticated miniature movements. In 1932, the company divided its operations into two distinct businesses: Eterna, which would concentrate on finished watches, and ETA, which would eventually become one of the world's largest and most important suppliers of mechanical watch movements.

Perhaps Eterna's greatest contribution came in 1948 with the introduction of the Eterna-Matic, an automatic wristwatch whose winding rotor was mounted on five tiny ball bearings. This ingenious solution dramatically reduced friction and wear, improving the reliability and longevity of self-winding movements. The innovation would eventually become an industry standard, while the five ball bearings themselves were immortalized in Eterna's now-famous corporate logo.

The company also developed a formidable reputation for producing rugged sports watches. In 1947, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl and his crew wore Eterna timepieces during their extraordinary 101-day voyage across the Pacific aboard the Kon-Tiki, a primitive balsa-wood raft. The expedition inspired the launch of the KonTiki collection in 1958, which would become one of the company's most enduring designs. Later Super KonTiki dive watches, including models adopted by Israeli naval divers and commandos during the 1970s, further cemented the brand's tool-watch credentials.

From elegant midcentury dress watches and ultra-thin automatics to robust divers and technically innovative movements, Eterna's vintage catalog offers a remarkable cross-section of Swiss watchmaking. Though less widely recognized today than some of its contemporaries, the company's influence on the industry is difficult to overstate — and its watches remain compelling reminders of an era when genuine innovation and handsome design frequently went hand in hand.

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 two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

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.