The Eterna Calibre 1408 stands as a pinnacle of mid-20th-century Swiss horology, captivating vintage watch enthusiasts and hobbyist watchmakers with its innovative manual-wind design. Introduced in the 1940s as an evolution from the Calibre 1407, it reflects Eterna’s forward-thinking engineering, prioritizing larger components for superior performance amid an era shifting toward automatics.
Historical Context
Eterna, founded in 1856, pioneered the self-winding movement in 1948, but the 1408 exemplifies their mastery of manual calibres. Its gear train mirrors the esteemed Zenith Calibre 135, featuring indirect minute wheel drive via a large dial-side wheel. This allowed for a bigger mainspring barrel and balance wheel, enhancing power reserve and stability—rarities in compact movements of the time.
Technical Specifications
Type: Manual wind, sweep seconds
Diameter: 11.5 lignes (approximately 25.6 mm)
Height: Around 3.5 mm
Frequency: 18,000 A/h (5 Hz)
Jewels: 18–19
Balance: Glucydur with Eterna-U shock protection (in-house system)
Power Reserve: Approximately 45–50 hours
Gear Train: Modern indirect drive for efficiency
Finish: Signed bridges, blued screws, signed rotor elements in variants
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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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