This is a very cool and unusual version of Eterna dive watch the Kontiki.
The history of the watches relate to a raft built by Thor Heyerdahl for a scientific voyage, with all crew members wearing Eterna Matic watches – Matic being Eterna’s term for automatic.
To celebrate the success of the voyage the Kontiki was launched. This watch has a La Plongee bezel that was Eterna’s design for divers to measure their allowed time at certain depths. This watch is further unusual in that the bezel is calibrated for feet not meters.
This watch remains in excellent original condition with lovely bevels on the steel case. This bezel function was explained in Eterna advertisements and required manual setting of the triangle marker in line with the minute hand upon reaching the final dive depth. The diver then had until the minute hand hits their respective depth to stay immersed before returning to the surface.
The case back has the lovely Thor Heyerdahl Kontiki medal. The black dial features gilt printed text and zinc-sulphide tritium lume.
This watch is fitted with a vintage Tropic rubber strap to give dive-vibes to the max !
The automatic movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker.
Specifications:
- Eterna Kontiki 130FTP
- Case serial 531xxxx dates to 1960s
- 40mm stainless steel case
- Thor Heyerdahl case back
- Black dial with gilt text
- Eterna Cal 1489K automatic movement
- Vintage Tropic strap
- Fully serviced by our watchmaker
- One-year mechanical warranty
- Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
- Free worldwide Fedex Priority shipping