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Eterna Matic Opinions

sleepyastronaut
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Good day, all,

Looking at picking up an inexpensive vintage piece with a black dial, and I like the look of the Eternas. Found the one below on eBay with dull pics and half a description. Seller says it's from the 50s, original dial, in running order, and is asking $225.

Can anyone comment on how this looks? Since it's eBay, I'm not counting on being able to get better pics from the seller. I adjusted the levels on the pics because they were very dark, but I'm still unsure this signature is any good. I know there are at least two correct fonts on vintage Eternas, but I haven't yet trained to Eternas. Signature here is nicely centered, but I'm not seeing the distinctive font that thins from top to bottom. Could it be the rounded-A font?

Hands have a cutout, possibly for lume, but the dial doesn't appear to have lume, though it has what looks to be empty lume plots. Crown is unsigned, which seller says could be correct, but he doesn't inspire confidence.

I'm willing to take a gamble on a watch without movement pics, but I like to have more confidence in the dial first. I'm guessing this is more expensive than it should be, but black dial, so here it is.

Thanks in advance!


s-l1600-41-02.jpeg s-l1600-41-03.jpeg s-l1600-45-01.jpeg s-l1600-42-01.jpeg s-l1600-43-01.jpeg s-l1600-44-01.jpeg
 
wagudc
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Missing marker at 2:00. To me the hands are a different style than dial, so probably replaced. It would be a pass for me.
 
sleepyastronaut
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wagudc wagudc
Missing marker at 2:00. To me the hands are a different style than dial, so probably replaced. It would be a pass for me.

That's not the marker at 2 in the third pic? I would expect the spot to be darker if the marker was missing.
 
Dan S
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Hands are wrong, crown is wrong, lume has been removed from the dial, horrible engraving on back. I think you can find a nicer example.

Edit: I recently picked up a similar watch with a gray no-lume dial. Posting it for comparison. You may have to be patient to find a good example with a black dial, but when you do find one, it probably won't be terribly expensive. These are great watches, but still not really appreciated.

eternamatic_gray_dial.jpeg
Edited:
 
wagudc
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sleepyastronaut sleepyastronaut
That's not the marker at 2 in the third pic? I would expect the spot to be darker if the marker was missing.

Oops, that little circular mark fooled me. The fact that the hand fully blocks out the marker gives more evidence about the hands being replaced.
 
Spruce
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The one you’re looking at is, as has been said, in poor looking condition.

There are a lot of Eterna out there. This, from Buenos Aires, including tax and postage was $180

CE292899-4B2F-48C0-8241-59A86FA29DA5.jpeg
 
Spruce
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Dan S Dan S
If the listing is correct, it's also quite small.
Snap 😉
 
DaveK
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Spruce Spruce
It is attractive but at only 33mm - ?

Yah, but it is a calatrava ☕
 
sleepyastronaut
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Dan S Dan S
If the listing is correct, it's also quite small.

The Eterna's I've seen from this period have no movement ring, as the case is only as large as it needs to be. In this sense, the size is just right.
 
Waltesefalcon
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DaveK DaveK
Yah, but it is a calatrava ☕

🤦
If only Eterna had ever made a Calatrava model. Some dealers will say anything to get the sale.
 
Waltesefalcon
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sleepyastronaut sleepyastronaut
Any red flags with this one? Seller is in Bulgaria.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255320669618
The dial looks good. The lume is starting to crumble on the minute hand, so that should be addressed. The case looks good. The movement looks good. I'm a little wary of Eastern European sellers but other than that it looks good.
 
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