Eterna - Tre-Tacche Automatic Bumper Cal. 835 (first automatic small seconds) - Men - 1943

Eterna Automatic “Bumper” – Movement No. 3007734 – ca. 1943 – Pre-Eterna-Matic – Stainless Steel – Men

A highly collectible early Eterna Automatic from the brand’s important pre-Eterna-Matic bumper era, preserved with its original vintage character and backed by a movement serial number that places production at approximately 1943. Eterna serial number references place 3,000,000 in 1943 and 3,050,000 in 1944; this watch carries movement no. 3007734, making 1943 the most credible dating. 

For collectors, this is exactly the kind of technical and historical detail that matters.

This watch belongs to Eterna’s early automatic generation, before the famous Eterna-Matic free-rotor system of 1948. Grail Watch’s Eterna reference notes that Eterna’s first automatic movement was cal. 835 in 1939, and that between 1940 and 1945 the brand produced automatic movements with bumper winding systems, not yet Eterna-Matic branded. That fits this watch perfectly: the dial is correctly signed “Eterna Automatic”, not Eterna-Matic, and the movement architecture clearly shows the desirable early bumper automatic construction. 

The caseback engravings are also exactly what seasoned buyers want to see on an early Eterna:

* Waterproof
* Antimagnetic
* Shockabsorber
* Stainless Steel

These period details reinforce the watch’s originality and place it firmly in the early 1940s Eterna automatic story. Eterna’s broader history also supports this, with brand references highlighting the 1930s–1940s period as the formative era of its automatic development, before the watershed Eterna-Matic system arrived in 1948. 

The movement is from Eterna’s early bumper family. From the photos, it appears consistent with the small-seconds bumper generation, though I would avoid claiming an exact caliber number without the caliber stamp being fully legible in hand. Public references show cal. 1158H as a known small-seconds Eterna bumper caliber from the mid-1940s, which is the correct family and style for watches of this type. 

At 31 mm, this is a classic wartime / immediate post-war men’s size, today also very wearable as a refined unisex vintage piece. The Arabic numeral dial, small seconds, and compact stainless-steel case give it the understated elegance collectors look for in honest early Swiss automatics.

Why this watch matters
This is not just another vintage dress watch. It is an early Eterna bumper automatic, from the years before the company’s most famous technical breakthrough. That makes it an important collector’s piece for buyers who appreciate the development of Swiss automatic watchmaking and want something more historically interesting than a generic 1950s automatic.

Specifications

* Brand: Eterna
* Model: Automatic
* Era: ca. 1943
* Movement type: early bumper automatic
* Movement number: 3007734
* Dial: Arabic numerals with small seconds
* Case material: Stainless steel
* Case size: approx. 31 mm
* Caseback engravings: Waterproof / Antimagnetic / Shockabsorber
* Strap: Leather strap
* Gender: Men / unisex by modern standards

A very attractive opportunity to acquire a genuine pre-Eterna-Matic Eterna from the brand’s earliest automatic period — the kind of watch advanced collectors notice immediately once they understand what they are looking at.

Disclaimer

1. Photography Notice: All photos are taken with high-quality macro lenses to highlight every detail. This may exaggerate minor imperfections. The watch looks significantly better in person.
2. Functionality Disclaimer: The watch runs well and keeps time. However, for perfect accuracy or long-term reliability, an overhaul by your trusted watchmaker is recommended.
3. Shipping & Import Instructions: The watch will be shipped via registered and insured express courier. Import duties, VAT, customs fees, and any additional charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
⸻
#supercoolwatches.tr