The Eterna 1401 calibre stands as a pinnacle of mid-20th-century Swiss horology, captivating vintage watch enthusiasts and hobbyist watchmakers with its elegant engineering. Produced in the 1950s and 1960s, this automatic movement powered many Eterna-Matic dress watches, embodying the era’s shift toward self-winding reliability without sacrificing slim profiles.
Historical Context
Introduced during Eterna’s innovative automatic phase, the 1401 featured the groundbreaking Eterna-Matic rotor system for efficient bi-directional winding. Hobbyists prize it for its role in affordable luxury timepieces, often found in 1960s models with clean dials and refined cases. Its compact design suited slim vintage watches, making restoration projects rewarding due to abundant spare parts availability.
Technical Specifications
Type: Automatic self-winding with sweep seconds
Diameter: 7.25 lignes (approximately 16 mm)
Height: Around 4.5-5 mm, ideal for thin cases
Jewels: 21, reducing friction in high-wear pivots
Frequency: 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz) for smooth seconds hand motion
Power Reserve: Approximately 40-45 hours when fully wound
Shock Protection: Proprietary Eterna-U system for balance staff durability
Balance: Glucydur with flat Nivarox hairspring; screwed design for adjustability
Rotor: Ball-bearing mounted, bi-directional Eterniflex mainspring winding
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds; no date complications
For any Watch Spare Parts inquiry, Email us for rate and availability: [email protected]
Watch Parts Enquiry
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Stem, Crown, Hands & Spares might be available for this movement.
Email us for rate and availability: [email protected]
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