KonTiki  Chronograph

KonTiki Chronograph von Eterna: Even an adventurer can stop time

The watchmaker has revisited the design of its KonTiki Chronograph.

Grenchen. Eterna is launching a new version of its KonTiki chronograph. The latest one draws inspiration from the time-honoured origins of the KonTiki collection which, with its emblematic triangular indices, has come to characterise Eterna over the past half-century or more. The indices and hands are coated with a luminous material for optimum legibility at all times, even under poor lighting conditions. The watch will be available from autumn 2008. “Kon-Tiki”, a term derived from the Inca tongue, was the name of the famous balsawood raft on which the Norwegian anthropologist and adventurer, Thor Heyerdahl, set off from South America in 1947, determined to sail across the Pacific to French Polynesia. This dar-ing venture using a self-built raft showed that French Polynesia could have been colo-nised by migrants from South America as well as from Asia. The voyage took more than two months, during which time Heyerdahl and his crew wore rugged Eterna watches that kept accurate time throughout. Eterna's line of sports watches bears the name KonTiki in commemoration of this epic crossing. The design of the latest KonTiki Chronograph takes its cue from the KonTiki Four-Hands (which features a date hand) and the 44-millimetre XXL model. They all sport a polished and satin-brushed stainless steel case which is water resistant to between 120 and 200 metres. More extreme depths are catered for by the KonTiki Diver diving watch.

Luminous triangular indices and hands

The latest chronograph's dial – available in black or cream – has been redesigned and once again features the emblematic triangular indices of the early KonTiki models. These are rhodanised and coated in luminous material for optimum legibility. The chrono-graph's hour and minute hands also benefit from a luminous coating for night-time read-ing. The dial is conceived as consisting of three layers for a clearly structured appearance. The chronograph totalisers are rhodanised and framed. They contrast well with the back-ground and help lend the watch its sporty character. The KonTiki Chronograph is powered by the calibre ETA 7750 self-winding movement and features hour, minute, second and date displays as well as a stop-watch function. The timepiece is available on a polished and satin-finished stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp, a brown alligator leather strap with pin buckle, or – for an even sportier look – a black leather strap with embossed textile surface, also with a pin buckle. The leather straps feature cross stitching specially developed for the KonTiki collection, a detail that recalls the ropes deployed to build the raft used in the expedition. Timeless and rugged, the KonTiki Date is sure to impress today's generation of adventur-ers. In particular, though, it will appeal to a younger clientele looking for an attractive watch they can depend on – whatever the occasion.

The Eterna brand

Eterna has been a byword in high-quality mechanical timepieces manufactured by tradi-tional watchmaking craftsmanship since 1856. Numerous major developments have emerged from the company's long history. Revolutionary innovations such as a rotor mounted on ball bearings and a chronograph with mechanical digital stopwatch display originated from Eterna. Other milestones include the recently developed 3030 movement with a cambered big date as well as the calibre 3500 hand-wound movement. This tradi-tional Swiss brand now belongs to Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, and is one of the world's last existing independent watchmaking companies. As a Porsche Design Partner, Eterna is responsible for the popular Porsche Design watch collection.