Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Eterna 140T Automatic Date 34.9 mm Stainless Swiss Watch Cal. 1486K Runs, c. 1960s
- Maker / attribution
- Eterna (maker)
- Date
- c. 1960s
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Auction house
- LiveAuctioneers auction archive
- Lot
- Item 218514969
- Credit line
- Auction lot record: lot 337, EXCLUSIVE WATCHES AND POCKET WATCHES 3, Sphere Auctions LLC (2025), via LiveAuctioneers
- Catalogue title (original)
- Eterna 140T Automatic Date 34.9 mm Stainless Swiss Watch Cal. 1486K Runs (English)
View the source record (auction lot) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by LiveAuctioneers auction archive (lot Item 218514969), this is a wristwatch by Eterna, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Lot description — Sphere Auctions LLC
fine vintage Eterna 140T automatic wristwatch, circa 1960s, showcasing Eterna’s renowned in-house Swiss engineering.This example houses the Eterna Caliber 1486K automatic movement, featuring 21 jewels, signed Eterna on the rotor, and known for its robust and smooth winding design. The silver sunburst dial displays minimalist baton indices, a framed date window at 3 o’clock, and baton hands under a domed acrylic crystal.The stainless-steel case is cleanly designed with sharp lugs and measures 34.9 mm in diameter. Caseback is signed Eterna Watch Co. Swiss – Acier Inoxydable – 140T and numbered 5420236. The watch runs and keeps time; service is recommended for long-term accuracy. Fitted with a brown stitched leather strap.---DetailsBrand: EternaModel: 140TMovement: Eterna Caliber 1486K automatic, 21 jewelsEra: Circa 1960sCase Size: 34.9 mm (round)Case Material: Stainless steel (Acier Inoxydable)Dial: Silver sunburst with baton markers and framed date windowCrown: UnsignedCrystal: Domed acrylicBracelet/Band: Brown leather strap with stitchingCondition: Running and keeping time; service recommended; light surface wear consistent with ageSerial No.: 5420236Case Ref.: 140T
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Automatic (self-winding) watches
Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.
What to look for
- A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
- 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
- A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.
Dating clues
- Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
- Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
- Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Related records
Wristwatches · 1945
Wristwatch by Eterna, 1945
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · 1900–1999
Wristwatch by Eterna, Sweden, 1900–1999
Nordic Museum Foundation
Wristwatches · c. 1930s
Eterna wristwatch, c. 1930s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Pocket Watches · 1934
Pocket watch by Eterna, Switzerland, 1934
Turun kaupunginmuseo
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Breitling Premier, ref. 790, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Universal Genève Uni-Compax, ref. 22492, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1950s
Baume & Mercier wristwatch, c. 1950s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1950
Jaeger Lecoultre Triple Calendar, c. 1950
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva