Kontiki Chronograph (1500-41)

This watch stands out because it combines a rare manual-wind chronograph movement with the KonTiki’s famous exploration heritage. It offers a clean, purposeful design, strong build quality, and a connection to one of the most iconic adventure stories in watchmaking

The KonTiki 1500.41 presents a clean, matte-black dial that gives the watch a subtly serious, vintage-sport look. The markers appear as simple baton or stick indices (rather than ornate numerals), which keeps the face uncluttered and legible — a style that suits a classic chronograph well. The case is round stainless steel, modest in size (around 40 mm, according to listings), with a fixed bezel and a screw-down caseback, giving it a robust and understated charm. A sapphire or hard-wearing crystal (as with many KonTiki models) protects the dial, helping ensure scratch resistance and clarity. The watch is mounted on a stainless-steel bracelet with a folding clasp, which complements the utilitarian, timeless design and suits both casual and dress settings

Inside the 1500.41 ticks a manual-wind chronograph movement — according to one listing, the calibre is a seldom-seen Valjoux 7765. That means you wind the watch by hand, which offers a more direct, mechanical feel and connection to the watch’s heritage compared with modern automatics. As a manual chronograph, it lets you operate the stopwatch function without an automatic rotor — a feature often appreciated by enthusiasts who prefer simpler, traditional mechanics. The movement’s mechanical nature, plus the quality finishing expected from the house behind the brand, gives the watch a genuine vintage character and appeal

The 1500.41 belongs to the broader lineage of the Eterna “KonTiki” series, a line inspired by the legendary 1947 expedition of explorer Thor Heyerdahl, who crossed the Pacific on a balsa-wood raft named “Kon-Tiki.” The original KonTiki watches were purpose-built for rugged expeditions — water-resistant, durable, and easily readable, with bold, luminous triangular markers. Over decades, Eterna expanded the line into various iterations: automatic versions, divers, quartz, and chronographs. The 1500.41 represents one of the rarer manual-wind chronograph variants — appealing for those who value vintage mechanics over modern convenience. As such, it carries with it not just a functional legacy, but a spirit of adventure and a nod to the history of wristwatches built for exploration.

The watch appears to be in very good condition, with a clean dial, sharp hands and markers, and no visible scratches on the crystal. The case and bracelet show only light surface wear, while the caseback engraving looks crisp and well-defined.

What do the different grading scores mean?

• BN 9.9: Brand new and unworn, with no signs of use.
• UN 9.5: Like new and unworn, but may lack original packaging or materials such as the box, links, tags, or bezel protector.
• LN 9.0: Like new and unworn, but only includes the watch without papers, box, or accessories.
• MT 8.5: Mint condition, lightly used with minor surface scratches or wear. Unpolished.
• VG 8.0: Moderately used, with scratches and one or two nicks on the case or crystal. Shows signs of polishing. The bracelet remains snug with minimal wear.
• GD 7.5: Shows signs of daily wear but is not abused, with noticeable polishing on the case. The bracelet shows clear signs of daily wear.

Watches with a rating below GD 7.5 are not listed for bidding to ensure that only high-quality timepieces are available to our members.