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Horological Meandering

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Comments:

Eterna Kontiki Super

 
 By: Ludi : March 4th, 2012-08:15
Hello,

 Made circa 1965...


... gilt markings
    


... mine is Gen 1 Mark III
 


Caliber in house High grade Eterna 1498k
 


This model is similar to the one which has been issued to the famous Shayetet 13, the Israeli Navy Seals (frog men units) in the beginning of the 70's

 


Easy to spot, the issued watch have specific maks on the caseback (mine is a civilian model)

 


From right to left, read "y" (Tzade) for Tzahal, then serial number, the "J" (nun). Unfortunately, there is a large number of fake caseback around...


 Quick look over the previous gen 1models: 


 Mark I

Mark II 


 


Next Kontiki diver generation is very 70's in its design 


 




My conclusion: Eterna, a brand which deserves to be look at more closely ...

 






... don't you think wink 


 Best regards


 Fred

i totally agree with you Fred

 
 By: G99 : March 4th, 2012-09:14

i had the MKII with allegedly S13 markings on it a number of years ago. they looked well engraved and quite possibly correct, but it left the fold a fair while ago and i no longer have pics of it. i think they were great watches in their day, not sure whether the modern ones are worth bothering about apart from a couple of models, but the vintage pieces should be looked at much closer,

so should Certina and other smaller brands.

we all look at Submariners and SM300's as the iconic dive watches of the 60's, but there were many others with the same 200m WR and usability, but they frequently get overlooked. if i could find a 64 model i'd have it in a heartbeat. the question is, how did you date yours ?

great review with excellent adverts.

best

Graham

Well, about the date...

 
 By: Ludi : March 4th, 2012-11:59
... I have no clue whatsoever but I think the watch was produced mid 60's, so circa 1965....

These "forgotten" brand are very interested indeed, not too much sought-after, sometimes undervalued... Are they last opportunities around ???

Best regards smile

Fred

i think it wont be...

 
 By: G99 : March 4th, 2012-12:12

i think it wont be long before these forgotten brands have been consigned
to the scrap pile so we should be buying them to preserve their heritage.
i have a Bulova deep sea 666 which was only a very small % of the cost of
an SM300, but essentially has the same capabilities.
 
we should have a thread on these forgotten vintage dive watches from the
60's or before. min WR 200m
 
best
G

 

Great idea ...

 
 By: nilomis : March 4th, 2012-13:23
Let's see if I can borrow a couple of Bulovas from my daughter.

She has a Bulova 666, mechanical. Great watch.

Cheers,

Nilo

i actually made an error,...

 
 By: G99 : March 4th, 2012-13:25

i actually made an error, mine is a Snorkel not a deep sea, but they are
pretty much the same,
 
G

 

My daughter also own a Snorkel. [nt]

 
 By: nilomis : March 4th, 2012-14:47
No message body

Eterna has long been one of my favorite manufacturers, too, Fred . . .

 
 By: Dr No : March 4th, 2012-12:05
. . . almost like a smaller and humbler version of Omega.  The aesthetics of the KonTiki Super hits all the high notes of the SM300, FF, Sub, and Polaris, but manages to exude its own unique presence. My hunch is that its thickness and depth is what sets it apart from the other vintage dive watch classics.  Yours may be half a century old, but looks more contemporary than its rivals. 

As much as I appreciate the genre, I've never been driven to own a dive watch, but a chance discovery of one as well preserved as yours would be impossible to pass up. 

Cordially,

Art 


Classic KonTiki Super ...

 
 By: nilomis : March 4th, 2012-12:15
A true object of desire.

I own one, but is a "Sonic" (turning fork version) that I'm chasing the correct bezel insert.

Thank you for this post.

Eterna was a very important brand with bold designs during the 70's.

Cheers,

Nilo

I love a lot the model from the 70ies, with its nicely patined indexes.

 
 By: amanico : March 4th, 2012-12:37

Thanks for feeding the madness!

wink

Best,

Nicolas

Thank you for this presentation, Fred!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : March 4th, 2012-14:47

Very nice watch!

Here is another old ad from the same brand...

1959: When a man's life depends on his watch...

 

 

Best

Blomman

I've wanted this Eterna...

 
 By: jporos : March 6th, 2012-10:32


for quite some time.

Nice Kontiki

 
 By: Ubik : March 8th, 2012-09:14
Always really loved these models.

In terms of collectability though, I think you're being a bit hard on them, one in nice condition would have
many people after it.

About eight years ago I bid on an Israeli issued one at about £500 Sterling and just lost out and I thought that was a crazy price then!
Trying to find a good one now would be a lot more of an expensive proposition.