
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Eterna Three-Register 18k Rose Gold Chronograph Silver dial, early 1950
- Maker / attribution
- Eterna (maker)
- Date
- early 1950
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- 18k rose gold
- Dimensions
- Case 35 mm
- Stock no.
- W-3879
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-3879)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Eterna Three-Register 18k Rose Gold Chronograph Silver dial (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-3879), this is a wristwatch by Eterna, made in Switzerland, dated early 1950. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: 18k rose gold. 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 — Bulang & Sons
Founded in Grenchen, Switzerland, in 1856 by Dr. Josef Girard and Urs Schild, Eterna is one of the true pioneers of Swiss watchmaking. Throughout its long history, the manufacture has been responsible for numerous technical innovations, most notably the introduction of the ball-bearing mounted automatic rotor in 1948. This ingenious system, supported by five tiny ball bearings, dramatically improved the efficiency and durability of automatic winding movements and went on to influence the entire watch industry. The innovation proved so significant that Eterna adopted the five-ball bearing as its emblem—a logo that remains synonymous with the brand to this day. Some highlights from Eterna's remarkable history: 1914 – Eterna patents one of the world's first wristwatch alarm mechanisms, bringing the complication into series production. 1932 – The company is reorganized into two independent entities: Eterna, dedicated to manufacturing complete watches, and ETA SA, established to develop and supply movements—a company that would become the backbone of the Swiss watch industry. 1958 – Eterna introduces the legendary KonTiki, named in honour of Thor Heyerdahl's famous 1947 Pacific Ocean expedition aboard the Kon-Tiki raft. 1995 – The Porsche family acquires Eterna. The manufacture subsequently produces Porsche Design timepieces until 2014. Presented here is a beautiful 35mm Eterna chronograph in 18k rose gold. The elegant case, fitted with square chronograph pushers and a snap-back case, has developed a wonderfully warm rose-gold tone over the years and remains in lovely condition. The beautifully balanced two-tone silver dial features three sub-dials, printed rose-gold Arabic numerals, a blue tachymeter scale, a red 0–20 graduation, and a black minute track. Blued central hands and matching rose-gold sub-dial hands complete one of the most attractive dial layouts of the period. Powering the watch is the legendary hand-wound Valjoux 71 chronograph movement, fully serviced by our watchmaker and ready to be enjoyed. The watch is fitted with the photographed leather strap, completing this elegant and characterful vintage chronograph. Quiet confidence in rose gold, get in touch! Specifications: Eterna Chronograph 35mm 18k rose gold Case Two tone silvered dial , three sub registers , multi scales Blued hands Serial no 50xxx dating to the early 1950’s Comes on the photographed leather strap Valjoux 71 hand wound movement Fully serviced by our watchmaker
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
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
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.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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