Larger than average with its 42 mm in diameter, the 2009 Eterna KonTiki Date (ref. 1220.41.63.1183) is still elegant and lean. It will look great on a hand of a guy who spends three nights a week in a gym while keeping a low-carb diet.
Named after Thor Heyerdahl’s most famous raft, the KonTiki line represents the ‘sports’ branch in their current collection of inexpensive mechanical watches.
The refreshed model, which is coming in a stainless steel case, is essentially a more affordable version of the last year’s KonTiki Anniversary that came in a red-gold body.
Although much cheaper, the KonTiki Date‘s elegant white dial with blue triangular hour markers and Arabic numerals looks even more appealing than the Anniversary model. While the former is sober and modern, the latter was fussy and archaic.
The choice of the color scheme not only makes the dial look more interesting but also greatly increases its legibility. Not only thanks to its high level of contrast, but also because a generous amount of Superluminova.
The latter covers the hour and minute hands, as well as the dots above the stick-shaped hour markers. But wait: there is (literally) more! The luminous substance also fills the four triangles at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock. This makes the dial especially easy to read even in total darkness.
The timekeeper’s only problem is, perhaps, the date aperture. Placed between four and five hours, the simple calendar window looks small, blending too much into the layout of the dial.
The differences, however, are not completely visual.
While the Anniversary edition featured Eterna’s own 3010 in-house calibers, the KonTiki Date uses a run-off-the-mill Sellita SW200 automatic movement.
Being a slightly modified clone of the ever-popular ETA 2824 movement, this little engine has a good reputation for its reliability and accuracy.
Under its belt, the SW200 has such big wins as attracting many Swiss-based independent brands. Among them is, of course, Oris. They used it power their limited-edition Oris Thelonious Monk and many other models.
There is also JeanRichard with their Aquascope Diver Monocoque, and its direct competitor Marcello C.
Simply put, every third “Swiss Made” watch comes sports a Sellita-made movement, so I wouldn’t worry about KonTiki Date’s inferiority to the gold model.
In fact, a watch with a Sellita caliber may prove to be even more reliable than its more exclusive predecessor.
Does the name of the company scares you away? Well, then you should know that the German-based F.A. Porsche Beteiligungen GmbH, aka “Porsche Design”, is the current owner of the brand.
Yes, the expensive (and daringly futuristic) Porsche Design watches are manufactured by Eterna. That says something, right?
Photos: Eterna
Eterna KonTiki Date 1220.41.63.1183 specification
Price range: CHF 2250 (MSRP) / USD $3500 (Retail)
Movement: Caliber Sellita SW 200, 26 jewels, automatic, Swiss Made
Complications: Date
Power reserve: 38 hours
Case: stainless steel
Size: 42.00 mm
Case height: 12.00 mm
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective
Back: Solid, engraved
Luminous hands and hour markers
Dial: White, with a guilloche pattern
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Canvas / Bracelet / Leather strap