Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Exona Lunastar, c. 1970s
- Maker / attribution
- Exona (maker)
- Date
- c. 1970s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 43 mm
- Stock no.
- 40990234
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40990234)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Exona Lunastar (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40990234), this is a wristwatch by Exona, dated c. 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 43 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 — Analog/Shift
Why We Love It There is no doubt that diving watches hold a special place in the hearts of many collectors, ourselves included. In fact, Analog:Shift was founded with its eyes set on vintage divers. So many interesting watch brands have been lost to time. From the well-known to the completely unrecognizable, any number of Swiss brands failed to survive the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s, folding completely and disappearing or being rolled up into conglomerates that pillaged their stores of parts. Exona is one such brand. Frankly, we couldn't find out much about them - other than that this model was also branded 'Lunamar' under the 'Ermano' brand. We imagine that they both were what we would call a "boutique brand" in the watch world today. What we DO know is that this watch from circa the 1970s is just plain cool. Featuring a 43mm stainless steel cushion case with a domed acrylic crystal, an automatic-winding ETA movement, an internal rotating count-down bezel operated by the crown at the 2:30 position, an aqua vignette dial with applied luminous indices and a matching handset - both with a stunning patina - and perhaps one of the coolest casebacks that we have ever come across... Watches such as this one are fun and wonderful timepieces, and there's no telling if and when one of these in any condition, let alone excellent condition such as this example, will surface again. So dont wait!
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
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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