
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Eterna-Matic Chronometer, Automatic, Tropical Dial, circa 1955
- Maker / attribution
- Eterna (maker)
- Date
- c. 1955
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 35 mm
- Stock no.
- vws3014
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3014)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Eterna-Matic Chronometer - Automatic - Tropical Dial - c.1955 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3014), this is a wristwatch by Eterna, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1955. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 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
A Beautiful Eterna-Matic Chronometer with a Stunning Tropical Dial in Fantastic Original Condition and Sold with its Original Box, c.1955 Eterna Watches, a renowned Swiss watch manufacturer, traces its origins back to 1856 when it was founded by Dr. Joseph Girard and Urs Schild in Grenchen, Switzerland. Initially named "Schild Frères," the company specialized in producing pocket watches before transitioning to wristwatches. Eterna made significant contributions to watchmaking technology; most notably, in 1948, it introduced the Eterna-Matic automatic movement featuring a rotor system with five ball bearings to minimize friction - a symbol still represented in its logo today. Over the years, Eterna has been synonymous with innovation and craftsmanship, pioneering advancements while maintaining its commitment to the Swiss watchmaking tradition. What's on Offer If you appreciate the beauty of a tropical dial then this beautiful Eterna chronometer might be right up your street! The dial has aged to a beautiful deep ivory colour with a very even patina. There are applied hour markers and beautiful Dauphine hands. There is also a central seconds hand in blood-red. The dial is completed with the Eterna signature and ball-bearing emblem. The dial is encapsulated underneath a shatterproof acrylic crystal and encased in stainless steel which has been very well preserved. The case number is engraved on the caseback and reads 3965098. The watch is paired with a classic brown leather strap and is sold with its original box which is rather rare! It wears beautifully on the wrist, is understated but stylish and at 35mm is subtle enough to wear for any occasion from everyday to formal attire.
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.
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