Here we have a clean example of a 1977 Eterna watch. It has the 35mm stainless steel case with the straight lugs and polished finishing. It has a silver sunburst dial with luminous baton hands and applied baton hour markers. It features the neat central second hand with hacking, with quickset date at 3 o’clock. The original acyclic crystal sits above the dial with the Eterna logo to the centre. To the right is the original crown with Eterna logo. The case back screws in place and has the reference number 454.2063.41 with a presentation engraving from M.Thomas Motor Group. Inside is the Eterna calibre 2084 which is manually wound, with a hi-beat rate of 28,800 BPH. It also has shock proofing, quickset date function and hacking central seconds. It is keeping accurate time. The watch is presented on its original Eterna leather strap with Eterna logo steel buckle. It is watch only with no box or paperwork but is a very good original example.

What do you want in a vintage watch as an everyday companion? Legibility, versatility (day/night wear), a robust and compact case, a date function, central seconds, hacking and shockproofing. We would say this Eterna ticks the above boxes and is a complete package, with a beautifully clean design and all the high-quality touches desired.

The dial is the classic silver brushed sunburst, which radiates in the light. The hour markers are the applied silver tone batons which have the black stripe to the centre. They feature the original luminous plots to the base, with the double marker and luminous plots at 12 o’clock. The date window sits at 3 o’clock and has the bevelled edges to the window, with the white base tone and black numerals to the wheel. It is a beautifully proportioned and balanced layout.

Below 12 o’clock is the applied Eterna ball bearing logo with the Eterna name. The base of the dial is marked with the ‘Swiss’ text. The hands are the baton style with luminous in-fill to the tips and the black stripe to the centre, tying in nicely with the baton markers. The central second hand is neat, with the taper towards the tip. There is a silver chapter ring surrounding the dial which reflects the bottom of the markers. Sitting above this is the original Eterna acrylic crystal which has the logo to the centre, above the hand stack.

The case is a good size with the 35mm width, stretching to 38mm with the crown. The lug-to-lug length adds presence at 42mm in length. It maintains a slim depth of 10mm making it a comfortable wear. The 18mm lug width sits nicely at a golden ratio of around half the width of the case.

It is formed of stainless steel and has the polished finish which catches the light. The lugs are the straight, seamless design flowing from the bezel. The bezel is thin, allowing the dial to take centre stage. It has the bevelled edge which falls away to meet the flat case sides. To the right-hand side is the original Eterna crown with the ball bearing logo. It is a well-proportioned crown which is easy to use, whilst being neat. The case back screws in place and has the six notches for opening. It is marked to the base with the reference number 454.2063.41. It has a personal engraving ‘To C.C. Hall from the Directors of the M.Thomas Motor Group in Recognition of His Loyal Service 1950-1977’. Inside it is signed with the Eterna name, stainless steel construction and the repeated reference number.

The movement is the Eterna calibre 2084 which is manually wound, with a jewel count of 17. It has a hi-beat rate of 28,800BPH ensuring the smooth sweeping seconds. It is easy to set accurately with the hacking function pausing the seconds hand. It also has shock proofing, with the quickset date function. The service history is unknown, but the watch is an accurate companion with a daily variation of +5 seconds per day, with an amplitude of 285 degrees and 0.0 m/s beat error.

The watch is presented on its original Eterna leather strap with the Eterna logo steel buckle. It is in good condition and will fit up to a 21.59cm wrist diameter.

The watch is modelled on a 17.78cm wrist circumference
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.

Dial:
The dial is original and is in very good condition. It has some very small spots of dirt associated with age. The hour markers are free of corrosion and the original luminous plots are all present, with the even aged tone.

Hands:
The hands are original and are in very good condition with the intact luminous and black paint. They have the bright polished tone with no noticeable marking. The central second hand has some light marks but is also very good.

Glass:
The acrylic crystal is original with the Eterna etching to the centre. It has a slight dint to the edge between 11 and 12 o’clock, which isn’t very noticeable.

Crown:
The crown is in very good original condition.

Case:
The case is formed of stainless steel with the polished finish. It is in good original condition with only some light scratches.

Caseback:
The case back is in good condition with no noticeable marking. It has the presentation engraving.

Strap:
The leather strap is original with Eterna signing and has the signed steel buckle. Both are in good condition with very little wear.

Movement:
The movement is the Eterna calibre 2084 which is manually wound, with a jewel count of 17.

The service history is unknown, but the watch is an accurate companion with a daily variation of +5 seconds per day, with an amplitude of 285 degrees and 0.0 m/s beat error. The quickset date function is sharp and works as it should.

Case dimensions
Case width: 35mm
Case width with crown: 38mm
Case length: 35mm
Case length lug to lug: 42mm
Case depth: 10mm
Lug width: 18mm