This time it’s an Eterna, one if their Majetek pilots watches.
(Click pictures to enlarge)
Military watch enthusiasts will recognise the name ‘Majetek’ which covers a trio of watches issued to members of the Czech Air Force in the late 1930’s and 40’s. In the mid-1930’s the Czechoslovakian Military put out a tender for pilots watches matching their specification, which was met by three companies; Longines, Eterna and Lemania.
Pictured together the three watches are similar in design though the Longines stands out with its cathedral hands, sub-second rather than central second layout and the addition of a rotating coin-edge bezel with pointer.
(Picture: Zaf Basha)
Exact production numbers and dates are unclear but the Longines was produced first and issued to pilots in the late 1930’s and early 40’s, followed by the Eterna and finally the Lemania which was also available to civilians after World War II.
The casebacks of these watches were typically engraved with the words ‘Majetek Vojenské Správy, or “Property of Military Administration”, which gives these watches their ‘Majetek’ moniker. However, this engraving is not always present as it was omitted when demand for watches increased during the war.
(Picture: Zaf Basha)
Some issued Eternas can also be found with crossed swords stamped into the top left lug. The crossed swords emblem was widely used by the Czech military can be found on much of their military equipment, the button below is a typical example.
The watch in this post has no ‘Majetek’ engraving on the caseback, only the military serial number which is repeated inside the caseback.
Inside the watch is an Eterna Cal. 852S, a 15 jewel calibre with a beat rate of 18,000 bph. The quality of the calibre is plain to see and typical of Eterna movements from this period. With broad bridges and the click hidden under the winding bridge, the result is an uncluttered and very pleasing aesthetic.
You may have noticed in the first picture that the dial has lighter patches across most of its surface. When out of the case the condition of the dial was quite alarming as the lighter patches were actually the laquer coating which had dried out, cracked and started to lift away from the dial.
The hands had to be removed and the dial handled with extreme care to prevent any damage to the dial surface.
The watch arrived in running condition and needed no more than a new mainspring and a routine service this time. So with the case cleaned and the watch (carefully!) rebuilt it was soon back up and running.
If finding an original Majetek proves difficult it is worth noting that both Eterna and Longines released ‘heritage’ re-issues of their Majetek watches in 2014. While these watches capture the spirit of the originals they are not exactly faithful copies as both have had a date added (why would you do that?!), so if you can hold out for an original I certainly would.
Rich.
** Many thanks to David Bromilow for letting me feature his watch on the blog. **
