Eterna lovers will be familiar with the Schild family crest that appears on the back of some of their vintage dress watches (linguistics break - unhelpfully, in German that makes it the Schild, er... Schild). But my query is, which models should it be on, or not on? The Kon-tiki, Centenaire, and Five Star casebacks all have their place, logically enough associated with the corresponding models. But the Schild crest does appear on some of the brand's classier productions, chronometres, 18kt, etc, but not on others. I've looked through OF, Eterna-fanatic, and schild-eterna.de on this one, but it's still bugging me. Anyone willing to educate me please (gently of course)? Thanks!

 

I would say that the crest was used earlier than the model lines that you mention. I don't know how ETERNA chose which watches to use it on, but it was clearly not model-specific.

 

I’ve wondered this myself. Have you tried contacting Eterna? I’ve been meaning to do so for mine.

 

Thanks a lot for engaging with this - not least for your beautiful watch pics - I was starting to think it was just me. In fact, you've amplified my initial point, because here you're showing the Schild crest on a Centenaire - incidentally, IMO much nicer than the slightly unimaginative "Centenaire" script usually seen.
This was going to be my last roll of the die before trying to contact someone at the legacy Eterna company, so if any of the big boys of OF can contribute any knowledge at this stage, that would be just great. I am of course aware of the "Eterna Pioneers of the Watchmaker's Art" book which probably tells all, but it's a bit out of my price range just atm, unfortunately!

 

Yes, thanks for that. I hadn't seen one previously. But note that it is a chronometer, so it is very possible that Eterna reserved the crest for higher-end models.

 

Hi,

I have one watch with the Schild crest, it is also a Centenaire / chronometer from around 1965


not much information in the book (Pionniers dans l'art horloger)
one exemple is displayed, also a chronometer, probably from late 50s

As for contacting Eterna, I would not expect much, the answer received last time I contacted them for an historical question was irrelevant

 

I thought the crest was only on chronometre watches.

Dennis @ulackfocus had a thread on another forum years ago about it and Eterna I think

Only have the one Five star myself ( courtesy of Dennis )

 

No, I have one on a non-chronometer automatic. Larger case than most, but not a chronometer.

 

gold ?

 

No, steel. Also has the crest on the dial!

 

Thanks for that. Without wanting to hijack my own thread, just as a matter of interest, is the Pionniers book a worthwhile investment in your view?

 

That's the knockout punch - looks like the crest is on a lot of prestigious Eternas, but not necessarily on any identifiable category. Conversely, perhaps a good Eterna without the crest is still an honest one. That's really helpful, thanks.

 

It really depends on your expectation, the book is about the history of the company, it's not a comprehensive reference on watches

 

The mystery deepens a bit. That illustrated watch - chronometer, same heavy case design, 1958 IMHO - appeared on C24 but in solid 18kt. Also, it had a completely plain (18kt) caseback, which threw me. While I was thinking up my learned article, it got sold - which teaches me something. Saved money though, I guess! But sure would love another run at it... Maybe one for later!

 

My father bought a new 18k Eterna mechanical watch (hand-wound) in 1962, that I now have. No crest on the back.

 

Nice, respect to your dad - good taste (watches and offspring). Any pictures?

 

Another coat of arms example here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/incidental-pickup.5364/

 

Yes! Thanks - very easy on the eye.

 

I am sure there are greater experts than me but recall hearing watches with the Schild crest were special editions and or mainly promotional given to senior managers and longtime employees and sales directors Etc. I look at a lot of eternas and they aren’t common. They turn up mostly on the higher quality models but not necessarily gold.