Horologii

Discovering the Eterna Military 1939!

The beautiful cushion shaped Eterna Military 1939….

If not to be admired for its technical intellect and dedication to high precision, the instrument’s undeniable sleek reputation still manages to win the hearts of many wristwatch enthusiasts today.  Since the watch was conceived just last year, the Eterna Military 1939 is still considered a relatively new timepiece – correct. But what strikes many as a remarkable observation, is the watch’s ability to transport the wearer straight back to the era when Eterna was called upon by the Czechoslovakian authorities for an urgently needed wristwatch for their military pilots. Unlike just any pilots watch, the demand for a new instrument came with its own set of specifications and “must haves”. Eterna, happy to oblige began to build a timekeeping tool with the required integrations as ordered by those technical experts within the military field. The Eterna Majetek was developed with a black dial, a sturdy stainless steel casing and three hands and minute indexes that had been coated with a green luminous paint for high legibility.

 

1939 2Today, all of us with a weak spot for a beautifully engineered pilots watch are graced with the Eterna Military 1939, whose stark black dial and crisp appliqués are a constant reminder of those pivotal days for the brand where precision, reliability and technique were paramount for the health and safety of their military companions. The Eterna Military 1939 is a subtly improved design with successfully captured features and characteristics that hark back to the timepiece’s original spirit. The reissued military weapon offers the same mixture of brushed and polished stainless steel effects to the robust case which embraces a 40mm dial. Similar to the initial model, the hour, minute and seconds hands are coated with a luminous paint as are the Arabic hour numerals which decorate the periphery of the face. The overall design of the watch is symmetrical, professional even, with a strong streamlined appeal. The indices have been carved to perfection, meticulous being the one word which jumps out from the watch face whilst admiring its clean cut lines and angular sculptures. The understated details found within the off-white contrast stitching which completes the black leather strap only add to its vintage charm, whilst the use of a wide open dial not only satisfies the desire for clear and easy readability, but remains in-keeping with current preferences.

 

1939 3

Now moving on to the mechanical craftsmanship of the Eterna Military 1939 – the beating heart takes the name of the ETA2824-2. A self-winding mechanism that vibrates at 28, 800 vph. The incredibly accurate movement features 25 jewels plus a ball bearing which takes the place of the original 1939 vintage Eterna 852S calibre. A date aperture sits nobly at the 6 o’clock location, dressed in front of a jet black background for optimum legibility and a flair of professionalism. The brown leather strap version of the Eterna Military 1939 is delivered on a black PVD coated case for a significantly stronger military influence, yet offers the same functionality and accuracy in regards to dimension, movement and core design.

If you pay particular attention to the Eterna Military 1939’s beautifully groomed aesthetic and incredibly well thought out design, it becomes increasingly more enjoyable to appreciate the many tributes paid to the glorious model. The timepiece is an illustration of the brand’s rich historical success not only as a “watch tool” but as a leading example of many mechanical pilots watches to come.

 

More information on the Eterna Military 1939 can be discovered here.