Help with evaluation 2 Eterna (Centenaire & Chronometer)

[Andreas-am]

Hello everyone,

I have been offered 3 Eternas by someone who has already sold me an Omega - I have already bought 2. A Kontiki and the Centenaire I'm asking about here. Now he has offered me another Eterna Chronometer. I don't know anything about Eterna, but I like them and you can't find as much information online as with Omega.

Can you please help me with the chronometer in particular? So what do you think about the condition, the crown has no logo, but I'm not sure if it's original anyway. An almost identical one was recently offered here in the forum for 450€ - is that a realistic price?

I would also be interested in your assessment of the Centenaire - I paid around €500, with box and original strap. Was that ok?

Thank you, Andreas

Centenaire:



Chronometer:

 

[Tony C.]

Other than a possible replacement crown on the Chronometer, they look fine. Those recessed crowns were often not signed, but that one may be a replacement.

 

[Andreas-am]

Tony C.

Other than a possible replacement crown on the Chronometer, they look fine. Those recessed crowns were often not signed, but that one may be a replacement.

Thank you Tony!

 

[Tony C.]

You're welcome. Also, the case back design on the chronometre is not common, and to some collectors, would add value to the watch.

 

[Andreas-am]

Do you think that 450€ would be ok? I'm only interested in paying a price that I would roughly get back.

 

[Tony C.]

I believe it to be a fair price, but values are also dependent on broader economic factors.

If you do purchase it, and choose to sell it in the future, be sure to emphasize that the "Schild" case back is uncommon.

 

[707mm2]

Andreas-am

the crown has no logo

Tony C.

Other than a possible replacement crown on the Chronometer

I think it's actually normal for this type of case to have no logo on the crown, I'm quite sure the crown is original since it seems to perfectly fit into the recess. It was made to seem as if it has no crown when seen dial up (see patent CH260128 if you read french), so an embossed logo on the crown would break the effect. There's some examples of Eternal chronometers with this style of case in Osterhausen's book on chronometers, none has a logo.

I also own a watch with this type of case, the patent number is written inside the caseback :

 

[Andreas-am]

Thanks for the info!

I've just bought the watch, when it arrives at the end of next week I'll show some pictures! 😀

 

[Andreas-am]

Hello,

The Eterna has arrived. Just a quick first impression, the kids are on vacation and I don't have time again until tonight .

The case has signs of wear but only a few and has sharp edges. The dial is really very nice, it seems perfect the marks are on the plexi. The movement is sparkling clean and according to the movement number it dates from 1961.

Later I will polish the plexi, insert a gasket and put it on.

Best, Andreas

 

[Fallout Boy]

Good decision to buy 👍

 

[Andreas-am]

Very nice after polish the plexi 😀

 

[Tony C.]

Very nice. Congratulations!

 

[TimeODanaos]

Congratulations, the Eterna chronometers are wonderful watches, and I hope you long enjoy it. Aesthetically both the case and the movement are imho up there with the very best. I am bound to say that of course - mine has a case serial just c.17k earlier than yours and movement c.3k older, and I absolutely love it!

We never did though get to the bottom of exactly which models carried the Schild, er, Schild... but it is definitely an enhancement!

Edited: Dec 28, 2023

 

[X350 XJR]

Andreas-am

Very nice after polish the plexi 😀

Lovely result, congratulations!

 

[Waltesefalcon]

That looks like an extremely nice example you've picked up, congratulations!

 

[Andreas-am]

Thanks a lot guys!

The dial here again in daylight - the perfect dots have a great color (probably radium?!).

Compared to Omega & IWC, you really get a lot of watch for your money here 😀.

 

[Dan S]

Great watch!

 

[Andreas-am]

By the way: I took another Eterna from the same seller as a by-catch. The case is not so nice but the dial is so sensationally beautiful that I couldn't say no 🙄