Eterna Watch Co.: Swiss Innovation and Heritage Since 1856

Eterna Watch Company is a historic Swiss manufacturer celebrated for its pioneering spirit and technical innovations that have shaped modern mechanical watchmaking. Founded in 1856 in Grenchen, Switzerland, by Dr. Joseph Girard and Urs Schild, Eterna has a legacy of craftsmanship, precision, and industry breakthroughs.
Key Highlights

Founded: 1856 in Grenchen, Switzerland by Dr. Joseph Girard and Urs Schild

Early Focus: Originally produced watch movements (ébauches), supplying semi-finished and finished mechanical movements to many brands

Name Origin: The name “Eterna” was adopted in the early 1900s, initially for a collection, later for the corporate identity

Innovations:

First Alarm Wristwatch: Patented in 1904 and launched in production in 1914, it was the world’s first series-produced alarm wristwatch

Ball-Bearing Mounted Rotor (1948): Introduced the Eternamatic automatic movement with a rotor supported by five ball bearings, reducing friction and wear, revolutionizing automatic winding mechanisms worldwide; this technology became the industry standard

Split in 1932: Company divided into two entities — one focused on producing movements (later ETA, now part of the Swatch Group) and the other on complete watches, enabling specialization and growth