Eterna Super Kon-Tiki Diver

Perhaps you've heard of Thor Heyerdahl, or perhaps you think anyone named Thor carries a big hammer. Well, for you unenlightened, Mr. Heyerdahl was probably one of the most badass adventurers the world has ever seen.

So badass, in fact, that in 1947, in an attempt to prove a theory about ancient peoples' ability to make long sea voyages, Mr. Heyerdahl sailed a hand-built raft 8,000 miles across the Pacific. That raft was named the Kon-Tiki.

The inter-webs are replete with differences of opinion about whether Heyerdahl and his crew were actually wearing Eternas when they made the voyage. (According to Eterna's website, they were.) Regardless of the controversy, what we know for sure is that in 1958, in honor of Heyerdahl and his voyage, Eterna created the Kon-Tiki line.

This particular Kon-Tiki, a Diver variant, is housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with an unsigned 'big' screw-down crown, an acrylic crystal, and a screw caseback. It features a wildly cool black Tritium dial with painted 'sharktooth' indices, a matching handset, and the famed Eterna-Matic self-winding movement. Further, it comes fitted to 5-link bracelet with a signed blade clasp manufactured by Gay Freres, perhaps the most famous mid century watch bracelet manufacturer in the world.

Has this Kon-Tiki seen better days? Most certainly. But with all of its wear and patina comes a mysterious aura. It's apparent its previous owners did not believe in the "Safe Queen" mentality and we're sure Mr. Heyerdahl would raise a glass full of a strong beverage to that.

Sure the Rolex Submariner may have been the first dive watch, but did a modern-day Viking wear one while rafting across the Pacific? We think not!