With the risk of angering some folks who thought they were in for a steal, I found this Eterna Super Kontiki on eBayPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network that prompted some questions for me. The seller either is playing coy or doesn't know what he's selling.

The bezel is obviously incorrect, but the markings on the back clearly indicate IDF--correct? Can we assume this one was issued to the Shayetet 13, or were these kontikis more widely distributed amongst the IDF in the 1970s? And are replacement bezels easy to come by?

 

Those markings are incorrect. Wrong type face and size. One to avoid. The Super Kontiki on the dial is also in an odd typeface I have not seen before, I think it's a re dial?

 

Agreed with the above. It looks like a laser etched fake.

 

Oh the memories. Back a decade or so My wife and I bought an authentic IDF Super Kontiki from James Dowling complete with original bracelet in spectacular condition and including a paper trail of provenance for the astronomical sum of $1500. After a few months I felt the thing was a bit too chunky, got bored with it and traded it to Pavel at the 26th st. Chelsea weekend market for some random datejust. I still wake up in cold sweats over that blunder.

 

The case back looks like it’s been “aged” with sandpaper. All the scratches are in the same direction.

 

the less obvious red flag is Hebrew engravings that closely follow the circular case back curve. The engravings are always "off" and make for a larger curve.

 

Thanks folks! Upon closer inspection, some things do look off. When comparing the case back markings, to a legit IDF Super Kontiki, a few things stand out:
- The zeroes and nines are quite different
- the curve of the Eterna and IDF markings indeed differs

Furthermore the "super-kontiki" on the dial (instead of Kontiki [full stop] Super) on the legit IDF looks more similar to a 1960s iteration of the same watch—which is strange.

Anyway, thanks for educating me here. I know nothing of Eterna, but have a soft spot for issued watches.

 

The Davidoff Brothers watch in that link is also not a correct military example. Those engravings are also not in the correct format.

Here are two correct examples. The style of the engravings are quite distinct, and unlike other military watches never change in style. The issue number at the top always has curved topped 3 and open 4, while the stock number at the bottom has flat 3 and closed 4 and the 0 never touch.

The other genuine engravings are the drunken m style. These are also very distinctive in style.

 

No kidding! Who can you still trust these days? You obviously have done your research on IDF Kontikis—how have you gathered the required information? I'd be eager to learn.

 

MWR forum is your friend

www.broadarrow.net

 

Hi Simon. Have you read the Michele Galizia book that says the drunken "M" is for Marinah which means Navy. So those pieces were issued to officers or divers. The watch engravings with lots of numbers he says are pieces listed as issued to Shayetet 13. Have you ever had a direct translation of the engravings from Hebrew. I have and the meanings left me with more questions. One being to get another translation done. Whats your understandings of the direct translations? Mark.

 

Here is mine all original


For comparison bezel insert wrong plus marking on the ebay one avoid don's waist your money on it.

 

Havn't read the "Michele Galizia book that says the drunken "M" is for Marinah which means Navy". but the "M" is for MIL, not Marina.
The markings of M issued to S13 as well as "many numbers" (נ xxxxxx צ ). I have both examples, directly from the S13 men, they are at thier 60's -80's . so both versions are Legit for S13. There are additional watches issued to S3 and S7. I'll write someday about the watches issued to IDF .

 

I’m pretty sure there are a group of us that would pay you to drop some issued IDF watch knowledge.