Lou has his canons of watch collecting, and one of the most important of these axioms is that watch money must not go unspent. Well, after Jeff bought the Seamaster caliber 591 I had some so I was compelled to spend it on a watch.

Norm is the enabler here. Months ago I mentioned that an Eterna caliber 1466U was in my Top 5 Most Wanted for my ultra-thin collection. The man has a damn good memory because he sent me a link a few weeks back. I've been talking with the seller and agreed to buy one this morning.

A few pics from the seller:








This is Norm's and Lou's fault. I had earmarked that money for paying off the last several hundred of a credit card. Now I'll have to enjoy this watch and work some overtime. So, Norm and Lou, I simultaneously thank you and curse you!

 

Well it was the least could do since I still won't let go of the Longines you're after.

 

I wish I could. I'm lost and have to ask another collector from a different forum for help. Wouldn't mind having a gold dialed model 3000 and a Centenaire too, but this 1466U might be a one and done situation. I'd have to weigh the mild desire for more Eternas against the time & effort to learn the brand to be comfortable enough to pick up more. Never say never, and Eterna made bumpers too.

 

They do have a rather unique history, and many innovations. I just got my first Eterna, and there could some more in the future.

 

This brings up an issue, and it's about another of Lou's axioms: what watch slides into the slot I just filled? My Top 5 Most Wanted ultra-thin looked like this:

1) Piaget 12P microrotor
2) Eterna 1466U (obviously filled with the subject of this thread)
3) Omega 71x (Steve relented and sold me his Constellation 712)
4) Lassale 1200 manual
5) Lassale 2000 auto

With spot #2 and #3 filled, I don't have anything more on the immediate radar. I want... okay, need.... some ideas on other worthy ultra-thins. No quartz! I mean world class vintage mechanical calibers.

*more on Lassale HERE - they're a maintenance nightmare, but they have a place in ultra-thin history since they were the thinnest.

 

I think you have to go UG Golden Shadow or White Shadow with Cal 2-66.

 

I do have a UG microrotor 215-1 already, but any excuse for another!

 

Omega cal 700?

1.73mm

 

The manual wind version didn't even occur to me. Thanks Norm!

 

It's here!







Skinnier than I thought also:



No wrist shot though - the crown unscrewed and it's going to Steve before I mess it up anymore.

 

As if Longinities is not bad enough, you are going to infect me with Eternaculosis.

 

Nice one.

There are quite a few brands that made in-house movements in the pre-quartz days which are undervalued. Personally, I can't understand how these manufacturers offerings are so cheap - but I'm not arguing, just buying. Here's a short article on what I think were the makers that shaped the industry the most:

http://www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/general-discussion-forum/42293.htm

Interesting discussion with opinions from some experienced collectors when it was posted on WUS:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/5-most-influential-important-automatics-428194.html

We haven't even talked about Certina, Benrus, Bulova, or Seiko yet - another handful of undervalued in-house manufacturers. There are lots of bargains if you do your homework.

 

That's on my list too.

 

So far I have several candidates to add to the ultra-thin list. The manual wind Omega 70x, the UG 2-66, and I was just reminded that I don't have a Piguet caliber 21 since selling my Blancpain Villeret.

IMG_3980-1.jpg

 

Uh huh.

 

Just heard back from Eterna with some info on this:

Movement number: 4994569
Caliber: 1466U
Reference: 744
Production year: 1966
Sales price: 730.- swiss franc

Year of manufacture in bold - dumb lucked into another birthyear watch.