Service: Eterna Super KonTiki calibre 1424 UD

Eterna Super KonTikiPetter send in his Super Kontiki.

After a hard life this watch is in need of some love.IMG_2328Thor Heyerdahl’s tiny raft Kon-Tiki, on which he crossed the pacific from Peru to Polynesian islands.IMG_2329The movement looks considerably better than the case!IMG_2331I remove the oscillating weight.IMG_2332Movement out of the case and you can see the bent second hand that needs some attention.IMG_2335The dial looks pretty good!IMG_2330Performance is as expected.IMG_2336Tidy date mechanism.IMG_2337There are some scratches her and there but in overall good contition.IMG_2338Here you can see the quick set lever on the set lever that moves in a slot in the base plate. IMG_2341The underside of the automatic winding mechanism.IMG_2342I remove the cap jewels before removing the balance.IMG_2343Train wheel bridge removed so you can see the gear train.IMG_2348Everything clean and ready for reassembly.IMG_2349The cap jewels back in place and testing that the balance moves freely.IMG_2407The movement is coming back together.IMG_2408I put together the winding mechanism so that I can wind the watch without risking to scratch the barrel.IMG_2439As soon the balance goes back in, the movement starts beating.IMG_2440The date mechanism back in place. I like that black date ring!IMG_2442The Automatic winding mechanism back on the movement.IMG_2895Performances is not bad at all;)IMG_2370I manage to straighten the second hand and apply new luminous compound.IMG_2908The hands back on the dial and looking great!IMG_2891The existing bezel ring is not original and has been silver soldered into place. Christian files away the old solder and turns a generic ring to fit.IMG_2893And what a great result!IMG_2886We have also been able to get the original Eterna crystal and crown.IMG_2975Movement back in the case and looking great.IMG_2976And what an amazing transformation. Christian really did a masterfull job on that bezel ring.IMG_2977This must be one of the coolest divers watches around and I was bidding for it online, but lucky for Petter my apprentice budget stopped me;)

 

25 thoughts on “Service: Eterna Super KonTiki calibre 1424 UD

  1. I have the same watch but cannot ‘pop’ the bezel off. Is it just a press fit like early Rolexes and Omegas? Or is there a special technique?

  2. Hello
    I am Gilbert and live close to Paris
    Please, I am looking for the 3 hands for my Kontiki 1424, the same you have repaired.
    Please tell me where i can find this
    Best regards
    Gilbert

  3. Great job!
    Can you tell me how did you remove the movement out of the case. Did you just remove the wining stem and crown or are there other screws holding the movement to the case?
    Also, can you tell me the exact size and other dimensions of the crown?
    Thank you. Best regards,

    Francisco

  4. GREAT JOB!
    I have the exact same watch. Can you please tell me where can I get the original Eterna crystal and crown for this model. Mine does not have a screw down crown either.
    I know it has been awhile since you serviced this fantastic watch but any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you and best regards

  5. How to remove the bezel in thuis model? And how to put it back ofcourse. I want to buff out a scratch from the crystal.

      • Thank you for your answer Christian,

        Im really fan of your blog btw. I used to pop the bezel of my GMT master 2 with a knife to swap bezels. Is the construction of bezel from he Eterna about the same as an older version of Rolex?

  6. really lovely.

    question- the super kon-tiki would have had a screw down crown. that does not appear to be the case here. any thoughts?

    • I know the movement went into production in 1958, and I think the Super Kontiki as well. (Kontiki’s had been around for a while).

      The “first generation” did not have a screw down crown, but a pull-out quick set for the date.

      So, assuming this one is original, it would date to the late fifties/early sixties. I’ve tried to contact Eterna for more info, but their website and me does not communicate very well! 🙂

      Please correct me if I’m wrong, I’m no expert in Eternas …

      • yes, the very first kon-tikis did not have the screw down. but the super kon-tiki is a slightly different animal. it was absolutely intended to be a dive watch. so, if this particular example does not indicate that a screw down assembly was previously present…well, that would be interesting.

  7. Can’t wait to have it back! I must admit I had my doubts about whether it was possible to bring it back from the dead … but you did it! Thank you very much!

  8. Nice job, just a shame you couldn’t match up the lume colour with that of the original and the markers.

    Any more photos of Christian making the bezel? What insert was used?

  9. Fantastic job!!! I love seeing a watch being brought back to life when it’s been in the wars 🙂

    I was wondering next time if you might be able to show us how you re-lume the watch hands. It’s a tough skill to master, but it would be awesome to have some insight into how it’s done.

    Thanks again and best wishes to you both 🙂

    Regards

    Nick

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