Eterna redial?

__ryan__ · Jul 10, 2021

I'm about 90% sure this has been redialed, but wanted to check-in with the experts. It's a hand winding movement (cal. 14xx) and the serial number dates to 1961.

I would think the dial is too flawless for a watch of this age. And although there does appear to be some variation in the typeface used by Eterna, this one seems off. There doesn't seem to be enough line thickness variation, the spacing between the E and R looks to be too close, and the A seems different from other variants.

Thanks for any input that can be provided.

Radiumpassion · Jul 10, 2021

Looks original to my eye, hands too.

Etenally Rick · Jul 10, 2021

I would be happy with that. Looks genuine to me.

S.H. · Jul 10, 2021

I may be wrong, but it looks OK to me. Just a watch that was kept dry.

Servius · Jul 10, 2021

I’m about 90% sure this dial is original 😉

Waltesefalcon · Jul 10, 2021

Looks good to me. I'd be really happy with it.

Tony C. · Jul 10, 2021

Likely original. Lume and minute/second markers look correct as well.

cineaste · Jul 10, 2021

Don’t be too surprised about Eternas in great condition, especially the movements can often be found in almost mint condition! Here is mine with original buckle, also from 1961

eternalover · Jul 10, 2021

I am a little anxious about the fonts on the logo as well. Final A style and the e ‘s look unusual I agree.I think It may have had some attention

ghce · Jul 11, 2021

Looks original to me too either that if its a redial it is indistinguishable from original.
I have many watches in my collection from the 60's that after lens changes come out as new as the day they were minted.
Wish that one was in my collection! 😁

__ryan__ · Jul 11, 2021

Thanks everyone. This was a first vintage buy for me. I liked the case and hands, so decided to pull the trigger. I'm still not sure if the Eterna font is genuine, so please chime in if you have an opinion.

In either case, I do very much like and appreciate this watch. I was pleasantly surprised to find the ball bearing logo etched into the crystal and the movement looks to be in pretty good shape. I've not done any testing, but winding/setting is fairly smooth and the power reserve is better than 24 hrs.

Tony C. · Jul 11, 2021

Congrats. I see zero evidence of it being a redial.

Like all manufactures of the time, there were slight variations depending on which companies were contracted to produce the dials.

__ryan__ · Jul 11, 2021

Servius
I’m about 90% sure this dial is original 😉

Well hey, I'd be happy to be incorrect here 😀

__ryan__ · Jul 11, 2021

cineaste
Don’t be too surprised about Eternas in great condition, especially the movements can often be found in almost mint condition! Here is mine with original buckle, also from 1961

I'm diggin' the radial texture on your Eterna-matic

Etenally Rick · Jul 12, 2021

__ryan__
Thanks everyone. This was a first vintage buy for me. I liked the case and hands, so decided to pull the trigger. I'm still not sure if the Eterna font is genuine, so please chime in if you have an opinion.

In either case, I do very much like and appreciate this watch. I was pleasantly surprised to find the ball bearing logo etched into the crystal and the movement looks to be in pretty good shape. I've not done any testing, but winding/setting is fairly smooth and the power reserve is better than 24 hrs.

Congratulations! Looks like a nice watch. I would be very happy with the dial, as has been said by more knowledgable folk than me, the fonts can vary somewhat but they all seem to have a flat top to the "A" and the top horizontal lines and left to right diagonals are always thicker during this period. re-dialers never seem to get this quite right. Also, as has been said previously, the lume dots are right and "Swiss" is perfectly correct. All things to look for.
My rather later version says "Hello"

Waltesefalcon · Jul 12, 2021

The font is nothing to be concerned about. Here are two of my vintage Eternas both from the late 60s. You can see the differences in the fonts pretty easily.

Tony C. · Jul 12, 2021

E Etenally Rick
but they all seem to have a flat top to the "A" and the top horizontal lines and left to right diagonals are always thicker during this period

You should use more care when asserting "always" in the context of vintage watches. There were different styles of the "A" (see the first image below), and the thicker tops to the fonts were definitely not always present, or especially pronounced, during the period in question (see the second image, also from the early '60s like the OP's example).

It is true that the style you describe was common, but certainly not invariable.

eternalover · Jul 12, 2021

SocTony C’s looks very similar. Mine says hello.

Spruce · Jul 12, 2021

My very first Eterna arrived this morning - can I please join this thread?

Etenally Rick · Jul 12, 2021

Tony C.
You should use more care when asserting "always" in the context of vintage watches. There were different styles of the "A" (see the first image below), and the thicker tops to the fonts were definitely not always present, or especially pronounced, during the period in question (see the second image, also from the early '60s like the OP's example).

It is true that the style you describe was common, but certainly not invariable.

Thanks for the correction Tony. I accept that I should not be so definite and use the word always. Maybe I should have said but they all seem to have a flat top or at least a rounded top to the "A" ( I don't think I have seen an original "A" from this period with a pointed top). On your second image I still think I can discern thicker lines on the top of the "e" and also on the diagonal of the "n" although, indeed, not so pronounced. Correct me if I am wrong but the watch in your first image I would guess, without seeing the serial number, dates rather earlier, maybe 49/50?
Thanks again for your help.
Rick.

Eterna redial?

ryan

Radiumpassion

Etenally Rick

S.H.

Servius

Waltesefalcon

Tony C.

cineaste

eternalover

ghce

ryan

Tony C.

ryan

ryan

Etenally Rick

Waltesefalcon

Tony C.

eternalover

Spruce

Etenally Rick

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