Horological Meandering

Given that I am Chopard-less at the moment (the Chrono One undergoing maintenance, the MM 2014 waiting for a new strap for my wife), the Eterna has been getting more wrist time recently.

The more I wear it, the more I like it, basically. It seems to be keeping excellent time if worn on a daily basis (have conducted no proper measuring but it gained quite a bit less than a minute in two weeks, so certainly respectable for something about 50 years old) and is light enough to not be felt as a constant presence.

It works well enough with formal and casual attire and will easily slip under any shirt cuff. And while the original leather strap adds to the vintage appeal, it is beginning to feel somewhat less comfortable now that the outside temperatures are rising. Will probably need to start looking for alternatives soon, if I am to wear it more frequently this summer.

Regular wear also ensures that one does not have to set the day, which is a laborious process. The date appears to be quick set but the day needs to be done the hard way. Unless there is a trick I have not yet found (the watch came without original instructions, so it was all trial and error there). Not sure about the power reserve but with my rather limited arm movements it usually does not fill up to more than 24 hours worth.

I am still fascinated that the thin strip of lume on the hour and minute hands, as well as the dots placed between the hour markers and the dial rim do a perfectly creditable job of keeping you informed of the time in darkness almost half a century later - certainly not something I expected.

So far, so very happy - a bit of Mad Men chic for in between and all for a price that will probably be less than the service fee for the Chrono One. Definitely an affordable way to add some spice and variety to the watch collection

Love the case, the dial and the applied hour markers.

The "cherry on the cake" is the 36000 bph. The running seconds smoothly "hoovering" over the dial.

Cheers,

Nilo

. . . until learning about it just now from your post. And ensconced in a case and dial design that's immensely appealing - all I can say is, "Wow!"

Stunned,

Art

i have always been more a fan of the 50s and 60s designs, but the 70s produced some really fantastic, chunky watches. and eterna never disappoints:

 

. . . the dial.  "Impressionist brickyard", perhaps? 

Eye-catching indeed, e-f.  Thanks for sharing another model from what I like to describe as my favorite yet needlessly obscure manufacturer.

Best,

Art

What a treat for me - I haven't visited the forum in months, and a classic 36000bph Eterna is on the front page!  For those who don't know me,  I have a large collection of hi frequency watches, and am glad to encounter someone who appreciates those sturdy old reliables.   Here is a slightly less elegant younger cousin to your watch.