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WATCH
ETERNA-MATIC
FREEMASONRY
CIRCA 1960
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Original and unexpected Freemasonic Eterna-Matic watch.
N.B.: Freemasonry designates a set of selective sociability spaces that recruit their members by cooptation and practice initiation rites referring to a Masonic secret and to the art of building.
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Depending on the period, country and form, it is described as an "essentially philosophical and philanthropic association", as a "system of morals illustrated by symbols" or as an "initiatory order". Organized in obediences since 1717 in London, the so-called "speculative" Freemasonry - i.e. philosophical - refers to the ancient duties of the English "operative" Freemasonry formed by the guilds of builders. It draws its sources from a set of founding texts written between the 14th and 18th centuries.
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It provides a progressive education through symbols and rituals. It encourages its members to work for the progress of humanity, while leaving it up to each individual to interpret its texts. Its vocation is universal, although its practices and modes of organization are extremely variable according to countries and times.
Many personalities have belonged to Freemasonry. Among the best known and most often quoted, we can mention Benjamin Franklin, Voltaire, Goethe, Mozart, George Washington, Jules Ferry, Theodore Roosevelt, Simón Bolívar or the Duke of Kent.
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This is a special example with a dial representing the freemasonic symbols for index. They have been painted by hand, on the original dial, with a gilding on the surface. The original inlaid Eterna logo is still visible under the symbol at 12 o'clock.
This example, entirely in 14K Gold filled and engraved on the case back, was attributed to a certain Clifford Cook in 1960. It was part of the Billings Lodge #113 in the United States in Montana. It is a very rare association to have a Freemasonic dial with an Eterna watch.
This example is equipped with an automatic caliber signed Eterna, well known as "Eterna-Matic". In 1948, it entered the history of the automatic movement with its oscillating weight mounted on ball bearings to reduce friction and mitigate the effects of shocks, jolts and blows on the speed of the watch. Exclusive to Eterna, this system remains a world reference while the five spheres have become the Eterna logo.
This watch is in very good condition for its age. Rare.
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