Although larger than average with its 42 mm in diameter, the Eterna KonTiki Date (ref. 1220.41.63.1183) is still quite elegant and lean and would look really 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 the Swiss brand’s current collection of inexpensive mechanical watches. The refreshed model, which is coming in a stainless steel case, is essentially an affordable version of the last year’s KonTiki Anniversary that was presented in a gorgeous red gold body.
Although much cheaper, the KonTiki Date with its stainless steel body and the elegantly styled white dial with blue triangular hour markers and Arabic numerals looks even more appealing than the Anniversary model. While the former is graphic 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 thanks to an extremely high level of contrast and a generous amount of luminous substance.
The latter covers not only its hour and minute hands, as well as the dots above the stick-shaped hour markers, but also fills the four triangles at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock, which makes the time 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 was delivered with Eterna’s own 3010 in-house caliber, the new watch is powered by a run-off-the-mill Sellita SW 200 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 and is used by such companies as the Swiss-based Oris, as well as the German Limes and its direct competitor Marcello C that, too, makes gorgeous divers.
Simply put, every third “Swiss Made” watch comes powered by a Sellita-made movement, so I wouldn’t worry about KonTiki Date’s inferiority to the gold model.
In fact, a watch with Sellita’s caliber may prove to be even more reliable than its more exclusive predecessor.
By the way, if the name of the company scares you away, you should take into account that the Swiss brand is owned by the German-based F.A. Porsche Beteiligungen GmbH, which is better known under its Porsche Design brand name.
Yes, the expensive (and daringly futuristic) Porsche Design watches are manufactured by Eterna. That says something, right?
See also: Porsche Design Worldtimer P’6750: now in rose gold case
Photos: Eterna
Eterna KonTiki Date (ref. 1220.41.63.1183) automatic watch 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
Dial: White, with a guilloche pattern
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Canvas / Bracelet / Leather strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid, engraved
I bought an Oris Big Crown last Friday (4 days ago) and it has gained around 10 seconds. I think that is very good. The rotor works beautifully and although not a ‘fancy’ looking movement it looks very well finished.
Founder of 5 ball bearing on rotor and used to produce great in-house movement, sad to see that Eterna battle the losing game in term of new product development.
Is the back of this watch transparent, or “solid”?
This watch would look so much nicer in a “classic” size. 38 mm would be better than this oversized 42 mm “show off” watch. I will wait until the oversized-watch fad dies down, and Eterna makes this smaller.
@ Liam,
Yes, it would be nice to see this model in a 38 or 39 millimeter case. Maybe, next year?