The 2017 Eterna KonTiki Bronze Manufacture is a 44 mm, 200 m-rated diver limited to 300 pieces, with a no-decompression-limits bezel and automatic calibre 3902A. It is distinct from Eterna’s currently listed green-dial KonTiki Bronze Diver, reference 1291.78.51.1430; the available evidence does not establish that the current listing is the same watch or that the 2017 edition remains in stock.
What the 2017 Bronze Manufacture is
Eterna introduced the KonTiki Bronze Manufacture in 2017 to mark the 70th anniversary of Thor Heyerdahl’s KonTiki expedition. Fratello’s launch coverage described a 300-piece limited edition with a 44 mm bronze case, no-date dial, ceramic bezel, and automatic Eterna calibre 3902A. The model was reported with 200 m water resistance and a 65-hour power reserve. Fratello’s March 2017 launch report gives a launch price of €2,990.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
ADDIESDIVE Bronze Automatic Dive Watch Mens Wristwatch 200 M Waterproof | $179.49 | Buy on Amazon |
That description refers to the historic Bronze Manufacture edition—not automatically to every bronze KonTiki Eterna lists today. The distinction matters when comparing dial color, water-resistance claims, edition status, or availability.
2017 Bronze Manufacture specifications
| Specification | 2017 Bronze Manufacture |
|---|---|
| Edition | 300 pieces, commemorating the KonTiki expedition’s 70th anniversary, according to Fratello’s 2017 coverage. |
| Case | 44 mm bronze. Fratello described the alloy as copper and tin, without aluminum. |
| Movement | Automatic Eterna calibre 3902A; 28,800 beats per hour; 65-hour power reserve. |
| Dial | No date; Fratello’s later owner review describes an anthracite, textured dial with luminous indices. |
| Bezel | Ceramic, unidirectional, with a no-decompression-limits scale and Super-LumiNova numerals. |
| Water resistance | 200 m, as reported in Fratello’s launch coverage and WorldTempus’s 2018 field test. |
| Strap and buckle | Brown waterproof leather strap, reported as 22 mm wide, with a bronze pin buckle. |
| Launch price | €2,990, reported by Fratello in March 2017; this is not a current-market price. |
Specifications and release details are reported in Fratello’s launch article; the later dial and ownership observations appear in Fratello’s December 2017 owner review.
#1 Best Overall
- Material: CUSN8 bronze case, bezel, stainless steel case back, synthetic sapphire crystal, suede leather band, stainless steel buckle
How it wears, according to owners and reviewers
At 44 mm, this is a substantial watch on paper. Gerard Nijenbrinks, writing for Fratello in December 2017, said it fit comfortably on his 18 cm wrist. That is one owner’s fit report, not a guarantee of how the case will sit on another wrist; case shape, strap choice, and individual proportions all affect the result. Nijenbrinks also described the dial as anthracite and textured, with a straightforward no-date layout and luminous markers.
Michael Stockton’s March 2017 Fratello article followed a meeting with Eterna at Baselworld and discussed the model ahead of the group’s order. His report provides the launch-era specifications and impressions rather than a long-term wear test. Taken together, the dated accounts suggest a large, legible tool-watch design, but they do not substitute for trying the watch on.
What the no-decompression-limits bezel does
The bezel’s no-decompression-limits scale is the watch’s most distinctive diving feature. It is intended to help a diver track time against no-decompression limits; the field-test account frames it as a backup to a dive computer, not a replacement. Divers should follow their training and use appropriate dive equipment rather than treating a mechanical watch as the primary source for dive planning or safety-critical timing. WorldTempus discusses the scale in its May 2018 Caribbean field test.
How the bronze case changes with wear
Bronze develops a surface patina over time, and the appearance can vary with exposure and use. In a Caribbean saltwater field test of numbered watch 048/300, WorldTempus journalist Olivier Müller reported that the case became duller and more matte, with nonuniform patina and little verdigris. That account records one watch under one set of conditions; it is not a promise that every case will age in the same way. Nijenbrinks likewise noted that bronze cases can age differently from one wrist to another in his 2017 owner review.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
How it differs from Eterna’s current Bronze Diver listing
Eterna currently lists a green-dial KonTiki Bronze Diver, reference 1291.78.51.1430. The official product page identifies its own specifications, but does not say it is the 2017 Bronze Manufacture edition. The visible technical information also does not list a water-resistance rating for this current variant, so the historic edition’s reported 200 m figure should not be transferred to it.
| Detail | 2017 KonTiki Bronze Manufacture | Current official KonTiki Bronze Diver listing |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Historic 300-piece limited edition, reported in 2017 coverage. | Reference 1291.78.51.1430; the official listing does not establish it is the same edition. |
| Dial and bezel | Anthracite textured dial described by the 2017 owner reviewer; ceramic bezel with no-decompression-limits scale. | Green shiny dial and green ceramic bezel ring, per Eterna’s product page. |
| Case dimensions | 44 mm diameter reported; thickness not stated in the cited launch coverage. | 44 mm diameter and 14.05 mm thickness, per Eterna’s official listing. |
| Movement and reserve | Automatic calibre 3902A; 65-hour reserve; 28,800 beats per hour, per Fratello’s launch coverage. | Eterna EMC 3902A; 65-hour reserve; 28,800 v.p.h.; 30 jewels, per the official listing. |
| Water-resistance evidence | 200 m reported by Fratello and WorldTempus. | Not stated in the visible technical information on Eterna’s official page. |
| Availability and price evidence | €2,990 launch price reported in March 2017; Fratello said all 300 pieces had sold out by December 2017. | Current price and inventory are not established by the cited official listing. |
Eterna’s official page lists the current variant’s brushed bronze case, sapphire crystal, rotating bezel, brown waterproof leather strap, bronze pin buckle, and hour, minute, and second functions. Consult the official KonTiki Bronze Diver 1291.78.51.1430 page for that model’s listed details.
Availability: what the dated reports establish
Fratello reported in December 2017 that all 300 Bronze Manufacture pieces had sold out. That establishes the reported status at that time, not present-day stock or a current resale value. The historical €2,990 figure was the launch price reported in March 2017; the sources cited here do not establish a current price. Eterna’s current green-dial listing is a separate product identity unless the brand confirms otherwise.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems
