Grenchen. In the manner of a barometer, Swiss watch manufacturer Eterna's Soleure collection reflects current tastes and expectations in timepiece design. With their ergonomically redesigned cases, Soleure chronographs now provide improved comfort to slimmer, more feminine wrists. A metal bracelet is henceforth available while redesigned hands and dial faces add a further touch of refinement. Here and elsewhere, details are everything and today's Soleure timepieces are sure to appeal to new generations.
Soleure is the French name of the Canton where in 1856 Eterna was founded. It owes its considerable contributions to the advancement of horology essentially to the talent and commitment of its own watch-makers and designers. But over and above its professional achievements, Eterna owes its enviable reputation in good part to the Canton itself. Its population, entrepreneurial spirit and backing have from the start favoured the company. What, then, could be more normal than for Eterna to honour its place of origin by giving to its attractive and most accessible collection the name of the canton it has called home for over a century and a half?
Refashioned and restyled for today, Soleure watches are aimed first and foremost at younger male consumers – although now at younger women buyers as well – who have an equal sense of style. Their specific features, the choice of models, their positioning in the marketplace easily identify Soleure watches as enduring value items.
Soleure Automatic – essential chic
Its slim polished stainless steel case houses a self-winding mechanical movement with date calendar that provides 38 hours of reserve power. With its case back secured by four screws and a scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the Soleure Automatic is water-resistant to 50 metres (~ 165 feet). Silver-toned or black, the Soleure Automatic dial features a “Clous de Paris” cobbled centre plus baton hour markers, along with three Arabic numerals on some models, and hour and minute hands inlaid with a luminous compound. A polished and satin-finished stainless steel bracelet now joins the choice of white, brown or black Louisiana alligator straps – all with folding clasp.
Eterna's own traditions have always included an independent-minded streak, of which its single-pushpiece Soleure Moonphase Chronograph provides a telling example. A proprietary adaptation of ETA's Valjoux 7751 calibre, it provides up to 48 hours of power reserve. Along with hours, minutes and seconds and chronograph functions, it shows the date on the dial rim along with the day and the month at 12 o'clock. The Soleure Moonphase Chronograph furthermore features a small seconds and a 24-hour indication at 9 o'clock and displays the phases of the moon at 6 o'clock. Its case provides the same degree of refinement as other Soleure designs and it offers a choice of metal bracelet and Louisiana alligator strap colours.
Both the Soleure Automatic line and the Soleure Moonphase Chrono-graph models embody proven technology and updated design. Together, they provide Eterna with particularly competitive models for its mar-kets, stimulating consumer interest in the Eterna collection as a whole.
From its foundation in 1856, Eterna has been turning out fine, high-quality timepieces highlighting the workmanship and professional commitment of generations of craft watchmakers. Their notable contri-butions to horology include the design of the Eterna Matic winding rotor on ball bearings as well as the first wristwatch featuring an alarm device. The 2009 launch of the Eterna Spherodrive also ranks among the milestones of the brand's history. Today Eterna stands among a handful of full-fledged watch manufacturers who bring to bear the finest materials and craft methods to their quest for new developments while maintaining traditional workbench production. Over the years, it has often come up with innovative answers to centuries-old challenges. Today one of the last remaining independent manufacturers, Eterna is owned by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. Alongside its traditional production, it has been assigned the licence for the acclaimed Porsche design collection.
Technical specifications
Movement: Sellita calibre SW 200; self-winding mechanical movement; 38-hour power reserve; 28,800 vph; 26 jewels; diameter 25.6 mm (11 ½ lines); hours, minutes and seconds, date display.
Dial/hands: silver or black, “Clous de Paris” motif; rhodium-plated or gold-coloured baton hour markers or rhodium-plated or gold-coloured Arabic numerals and baton hour markers; rhodium-plated or gold-coloured centred hour and minute coated with white luminous material; rhodium-plated or gold-coloured centred seconds; date aperture at 3 o'clock.
Case/back: polished stainless steel case; anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal; case back secured by four screws; water-resistant to 50 m (5 bar) / ~ 165 feet; diameter 42 mm; height 9.4 mm.
Bracelet/clasp: brown, black or white Louisiana alligator leather with polished stainless steel folding clasp or polished and satin-finished stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp.
