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Eterna Art Deco, Sub-Seconds, Tank Case, Gilt Gloss Black Dial, circa 1932 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Eterna Art Deco, Sub-Seconds, Tank Case, Gilt Gloss Black Dial, circa 1932

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Eterna (maker)
Date
c. 1932
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 22 mm
Stock no.
VWS3145
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (VWS3145)
Catalogue title (original)
Eterna Art Deco - Sub-Seconds - Tank Case - Gilt Gloss Black Dial - c.1932 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number VWS3145), this is a wristwatch by Eterna, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1932. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 22 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 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

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

An Art Deco Eterna with a Stunning Black Gilt Dial and Clamshell Tank Case in Stainless Steel, c.1932 In the picturesque town of Grenchen, nestled at the foot of the Jura mountains in Switzerland, a legacy was born. The year was 1856 when Josef Girard and Urs Schild set out to create what would soon become a bastion of Swiss horological craftsmanship: Eterna. What's on Offer Now this watch is beautiful! This Art Deco piece from Eterna will certainly enjoy some envious glances with its large black gilt dial and tank clamshell case - I want this one myself! We estimate this watch was produced in the 1930s, so it has been very well preserved since then. At 22mm wide and over 34mm in depth, it is an unusually large tank watch for the time of production. The glossy dial is particularly eye-catching with the rich black dial serving as the perfect platform for the gilt furnishings which include bold Arabic numerals, a bold minute track, slim leaf hands and finally a sub-seconds dial which mimics the tank shape. The reverse of the case is simply engaged with 2461057. The watch is paired with a soft black leather strap but you could choose to pair it with a tan colour which may very well bring out the gilt elements of the dial - if this watch is of interest then we would be happy to discuss strap options. This is a beautiful piece that has clearly been well looked after, it is running well and we are pleased to offer it for sale in fine vintage condition. Our photos cannot do this watch justice, we would say this watch is probably a 8-8.5 out of 10 for condition!

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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.

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