1970s Eterna Sonic Electronic Integrated Bracelet Fume Blue
Ref: 172 TB
Specification
Lugs : 10mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Eterna box or paperwork. The watch comes paired with a flowing tapered integrated stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp. The watch is from Circa. 1970s and is sold in worn, vintage condition. The watch comes with our 12-Months Non-Waterproof Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 1970s Eterna Sonic Electronic with a classic TV-shaped 37mm stainless steel case. The lines flow around the case towards the integrated lugs, a lug-to-lug length of 43mm and a case thickness of 10.5mm sitting like a cushion ensuring a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side is a signed crown, the shape of the crystal follows the same lines as the case sitting above a ‘fumé’ blue dial. An outer minute track has applied baton indexes with chamfered edges and positioned at a slight angle towards the centre of the dial drawing the eye inwards marking the hours. At 3 o’clock a framed date window. Steel baton hands have a strip of luminance and are complemented by a tapered sweeping second hand, at 12 o’clock we have the Eterna motif with “Sonic” printed in white underneath at 6 o’clock in lower case “electronic”. On the reverse is a screw-down case back, inside an electronic Eterna Cal. 1550 (ESA 9162) has an electrically controlled tuning fork. The movement was produced from 1973 until 1977. F300Hz is considered one of the very best tuning fork movements. Designed by Max Hetzel, who had previously worked for Bulova; he was also responsible for the Accutron 214, which was released In May 1972. This is the same movement that is used in the Omega f300 tuning fork watches. The watch comes fitted on its original integrated stainless steel bracelet with a signed folding clasp.
Personal Note
This is what I love about the 1970s, the designs are so futuristic and the colours bright and bold! The designers were clearly full of the possibilities for the future after we landed on the Moon, for those who weren't around back then we can only imagine the excitement of the entire world and the endless creativity and imagination that was running wild. The designs clearly speak to this and this Eterna is no exception.
The Brand
Eterna was founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1856 by Josef Girard and Urs Schild. Jointly founding the famous ébauche factory. The company was formerly known as Schild Fréres, starting by producing ladies’ wristwatches. In 1905, the company changed its name to Eterna. In 1932, Eterna set up a subsidiary company, ETA SA, which made movements for itself and other Swiss watch companies in 1948, Eterna created the advanced self-winding movement called the Eterna-Matic automatic. They used five ball bearings that were placed in such a way to make the movement very efficient. Its popularity was such that in 1948 Eterna adopted the image of five balls as its corporate logo. After 1982, Eterna was sold several times. In 1999, Eterna produced a range of watches marketed under the Porsche Design label. Porsche Design sold Eterna to International Volant Ltd, a subsidiary of China Haidian in June 2012. China Haidian was later renamed in 2014 to Citychamp Watch & Jewellery Group Limited where they continue to own Eterna.