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The Eterna Super KonTiki Chronograph is a deliberately oversized, retro-styled dive-watch chronograph whose standout feature is its automatic Calibre 3916A flyback movement. Its 45 mm case and roughly 16 mm thickness are substantial; the cushion-shaped profile may help it sit more comfortably than those numbers suggest, but it is not a compact watch. This review concerns the 2016 Chronograph, not Eterna’s separately listed Super KonTiki Automatic models.
What the 2016 Super KonTiki Chronograph is
Eterna introduced the Super KonTiki Chronograph in 2016 in a 45 mm stainless-steel case. Its design combines a dive-watch look—prominent triangular hour markers and luminous hands—with a two-subdial chronograph layout. The watch’s technical centerpiece is Calibre 3916A, an automatic flyback chronograph movement.
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1963 Watch Watchdives WD1863 39mm VK63 Chronograph Watches for Men | $139.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The 2016 launch material and hands-on reviews describe blue- and black-dial versions and configurations with rubber straps or Milanese bracelets. Those details vary by configuration, so they should not be taken as a universal specification for every reference. The dimensions and features discussed here are product-era reports, not specifications for every watch bearing the KonTiki name.
How the flyback chronograph works
A conventional chronograph generally requires the wearer to stop the timer, reset it, and then start timing again. A flyback lets the wearer reset and immediately restart a running chronograph with one action, making it useful for timing successive intervals. Eterna’s launch presentation identifies the 3916A as an automatic flyback chronograph; Hodinkee describes its column-wheel control and the feel of the chronograph action: Hodinkee’s hands-on report.
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- VK63 MECHA-QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH: The WD1863 uses a VK63 mecha-quartz movement with a central 1/5-second chronograph hand, 60-minute counter, running small seconds and a 24-hour display. The pushers control start, stop and reset, combining quartz accuracy with crisp mechanical-style chronograph action for practical elapsed-time measurement.
- BUBBLE SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL & ALUMINUM BEZEL: The raised bubble-style sapphire crystal adds depth above the dial, while a high-clear inner AR coating helps reduce reflections. A 316L stainless steel case and bracelet provide a solid everyday build, and the fixed aluminum bezel creates a defined frame around the vintage chronograph display.
- SUPER BGW-9 BLUE LUME: BGW-9 super luminous material is applied to the hands, hour markers and selected dial details. After exposure to light, these elements produce a blue glow that supports quick time reading in darker surroundings. Coverage follows the individual dial design and remains clearly arranged around the three-register chronograph display.
- 100M WATER RESISTANCE: The screw-down crown and screw-down case back support a 100M water-resistance rating for daily wear and suitable surface-water use. Always tighten the crown fully before contact with water, do not operate the chronograph pushers while the watch is wet or submerged, and avoid hot water, steam and diving. Water resistance should be checked periodically as seals age.
- COMPACT 39MM WRIST PROFILE: The WD1863 measures 39mm across the bezel, with a 41mm mid-case, 46mm lug-to-lug length, 12.9mm thickness including the raised crystal and 20mm lug width. These proportions balance the detail of a three-register chronograph with a wearable footprint. The 20mm bracelet remains proportionate to the case, while the raised crystal adds vintage depth to the compact design.
That function does not establish that the chronograph should be operated underwater. Fratello notes that the pushers are not screw-down and speculates that they should not be pressed underwater; that is the reviewer’s inference, not a confirmed manufacturer instruction. Treat the chronograph as a timing complication, not as permission to use the pushers while submerged.
Case size, wrist fit, and everyday wear
Fratello reports a 45 mm diameter and 16.05 mm case height; Time+Tide rounds the height to 16 mm. Both describe the cushion-shaped case as wearing better than its dimensions might suggest. Fratello found the rubber strap comfortable, while Time+Tide also judged the proportions wearable. These are individual reviewer impressions, not a guarantee of fit: wrist shape, strap choice, and preference for a thick watch all matter.
The height is worth considering before buying, especially if a watch needs to slide under a close-fitting cuff. The broad case and pronounced chronograph layout give the KonTiki a substantial presence. Anyone considering a specific example should check its reference and the supplied strap or bracelet rather than assume that every listed configuration is interchangeable.
Dial and controls
Fratello describes the blue dial as sunburst and the black version as matte. Both versions are reported with luminous triangular hour markers and luminous hands, making the time display visually distinct from the chronograph registers. The two-subdial arrangement keeps the face from becoming a conventional three-register chronograph dial; Time+Tide describes the register at 3 o’clock as a stacked minute and hour totalizer.
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The column-wheel mechanism is part of the movement’s architecture, and Hodinkee’s report is useful for understanding the pusher feel. Feel remains a subjective review observation rather than a measured performance claim.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Published specifications and points of uncertainty
| Item | What the 2016 sources report |
|---|---|
| Movement | Eterna Calibre 3916A, automatic flyback chronograph; identified in Eterna’s launch presentation reproduced by Fratello. |
| Case | 45 mm stainless steel, according to Eterna’s 2016 presentation and the hands-on reviews. |
| Thickness | 16.05 mm in Fratello’s report; 16 mm in Time+Tide’s report. |
| Water resistance | 20 bar in Fratello’s published specifications. This is a reported product specification, not advice to operate the chronograph underwater. |
| Power reserve | Fratello reports 60 hours; Time+Tide reports 65 hours. The cited reports conflict, so neither figure should be treated as definitive for every exact reference. |
| Frequency | 28,800 vibrations per hour, reported by Fratello. |
| Dial and wearable configuration | Reviews describe blue or black dials and rubber or Milanese configurations; verify the specific reference and included equipment. |
The power-reserve discrepancy matters: the available review reports do not establish a single figure for the exact reference. Confirm against documentation for the watch being considered rather than relying on one number as universal.
Why the name is KonTiki
The name refers to Thor Heyerdahl’s 1947 Pacific raft expedition. Eterna’s 2016 presentation says the collection was named for the expedition and that six Eterna timepieces were worn by the crew; that is the brand’s account of its own heritage. Time+Tide reports the voyage as 6,900 km over 101 days. Those distance and duration figures are attributable to that publication, not to Eterna’s product specification.
Availability and buying context
The model-specific coverage cited here dates to 2016 and establishes launch-era product information only. It does not establish current stock, price, warranty coverage, service access, or resale value for the Chronograph. Current official-shop listings for Super KonTiki Automatic watches do not demonstrate that this Chronograph is available today. Check the exact reference and the seller’s documentation before treating a listing as the 3916A Chronograph.
The same caution applies to replacement straps or bracelets: the reviews identify rubber and Milanese configurations, but do not establish a current replacement part number or compatibility across references. Confirm fit for the specific watch before ordering an accessory.
Quick Recap
Who should consider the Super KonTiki Chronograph?
- A good fit: someone who wants a large, vintage-influenced chronograph with a flyback function and distinctive triangular markers.
- Think carefully: if a 45 mm case, approximately 16 mm thickness, or a prominent wrist presence is likely to be uncomfortable or impractical.
- Verify first: the exact reference, included strap or bracelet, movement documentation, and condition—especially when shopping from a listing that does not clearly distinguish the Chronograph from the Super KonTiki Automatic.
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.
