The Eterna Calibre 1469 is a compact, in‑house automatic movement that Eterna produced in the 1960s, mainly for its smaller men’s and larger ladies’ watches in the Eterna‑Matic line. It’s a no‑frills, reliable workhorse with a solid build and a clean, well‑finished layout that appeals to vintage watch and hobbyist collectors alike.
Why vintage watch enthusiasts like it
As a classic mid‑century Swiss in‑house design, it represents Eterna’s long tradition of well‑made automatics, free from ETA or Peseux clones.
It’s unusually compact for its time, with a 17.2 mm (approx. 7′′′) diameter, making it ideal for smaller dress watches and compact cases.
The movement is fully signed “Eterna” and “Swiss,” and many examples still run reliably today with proper servicing.
For hobbyist watchmakers, it’s a good example of a true in‑house automatic architecture, with clear gear train layout and typical Eterna finishing touches like bevelled bridges and screw‑set index.
Key points for hobbyist watchmakers
The movement is prone to magnetization and aging lubricants, so a full service (cleaning, re‑oil, demag, and beat rate check) is recommended before daily wear.
Replacement parts are scarce compared to ETA or Seiko calibres, so careful disassembly and handling of small parts (like the jumper spring and date setting levers) is wise.
The rotor is ball‑bearing mounted and winds smoothly bi‑directionally, typical of Eterna’s automatics of that era.
When setting the date, it’s best to avoid the “danger zone” (approx. 10 PM to 2 AM) to prevent jamming the quick‑set mechanism.
Technical specifications (Eterna Calibre 1469 / 1469U)
Type: Self‑winding automatic with centre seconds and date
Diameter: 17.2 mm (approx. 7′′′)
Height: ~4.6 mm
Jewels: 21 jewels
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: Around 42 hours
Stem height (T): 1.7 mm
Functions: Automatic winding, centre seconds, date at 3 o’clock
Mounting height (F): 1.1 mm
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Watch Parts Enquiry
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Stem, Crown, Hands & Spares might be available for this movement.
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