At Baselworld 2017, Eterna men’s replica debuted a new limited-edition version of an also new collection of KonTiki dive replica watches for the 70th anniversary of the famed ocean adventure of Thor Heyerdahl on the craft called the KonTiki. The limited-edition Eterna KonTiki Manufacture Bronze Replica (debuted here) might be similar at a glance to the non-limited new KonTiki Diver Gent, but it is different in just about all respects. It has a distinct dial, strap, case, and even movement. Moreover, it is Eterna’s first dive replica watch in bronze, a popular metal these days in replica watches, and particularly well-suited to dive replica watches given the natural corrosion-resistance properties of the ancient metal alloy.
The Eterna KonTiki Manufacture Bronze (reference 1291.78.49.1422) replica watch was a hit of the Baselworld 2017 show for those who discovered this lovely timepiece. It earned a spot on our list of the top 10 replica watches of Baselworld 2017 for its combination of aesthetics, materials, and sheer wearability. Eterna has played around with KonTiki replica watch designs over the years, with the most recent ones very much looking like the vintage models, but in modern form. What I like about the Eterna KonTiki is that it has a timeless appeal to it which hearkens back to “simpler times,” but it also has character. There are a lot of modern dive replica watches which aren’t elegant enough for more formal attire, and there are plenty of vintage-style dive replica watches that lack a coherent personality. For my tastes, the KonTiki is the right blend of character and timeless style. I have plenty of modern-looking dive replica watches that I like, and the KonTiki is among the vintage styles that I earnestly appreciate.
At 44mm wide, the bronze case (steel caseback) is water resistant to 200 meters. I should note that it has an exhibition caseback which allows for a view of the movement – something important in a replica watch with “Manufacture” in the title, implying that the movement is made in-house. At 14.5mm thick, there is a nice substantial feel to the Eterna KonTiki Manufacture Bronze, and given the thickness of the movement, this replica watch is actually thicker than the also new-for-2017 steel-cased Eterna KonTiki Diver Gent. The latter is thinner at 12.2mm thick, meaning that the KonTiki Manufacture Bronze model is 2.3mm thicker. Both are water resistant to 200 meters.
