*Unpolished* 1950s Eterna-Matic Automatic Dress Watch 'Cal. 1412U' W/ Original Tags

In the 1900s, when wristwatches were just starting to become fashionable, Schild Fréres, as the company was then known, started to produce ladies’ timepieces based on modified pocket watch movements. Five years later, Schild Fréres changed its name to Eterna and went on to operate at the leading edge of watch development, including designing the first alarm wristwatch in 1908.

In 1932, the brand also created ETA SA, a subsidiary that made movements for Eterna and other Swiss watch companies. Today, ETA is the largest Swiss manufacturer of automatic, mechanical and quartz movements that serve as the base caliber movements for many of today's top tier brands to this day.

This lovely automatic from the '50s is a stellar example of the brand's commitment to beautiful, timeless watch design. Featuring a strong case with beveled lugs, a matte silver dial with double-arrow hour markers at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock and the five-dot Eterna logo at 12 o'clock, a seconds hand with a fun red tip, and the original tags from the 1950s, this is a perfect blend of dress watch and tool watch, and would be an excellent first foray into the world of vintage watches or a fantastic addition to a growing collection.