Eterna-matic Kon Tiki 20 Gradient Dial

Thor Heyerdhal is the original badass.  

Sailing across the Pacific on a balsa wood raft to win a bet - (okay, it was actually to prove a complex theory of the seafaring capabilities of early humans) - Thor embodied the kind of explorer spirit that we so admire here at analog/shift.

Despite conflicting reports, Eterna maintains that the timepieces that Thor's small crew wore during their voyage were theirs, and that it was the reliability of those sturdy 1940's Eternas that kept them on track as they crossed the Pacific.  It is no wonder that the brand embraced the ensuing legend and created a whole line of watches in honor of Thor and his incredible accomplishment.  The line, dubbed the Kon Tiki after Thor's wooden raft, was heralded for its robust and reliable tool watches suitable for an array of uses and environments.

This particular Kon Tiki dates to the early 70's and is driven by an ETA 2825 automatic movement tucked into a 38mm cushion-style stainless case.  The watch features a screw-down crown and the classic Eterna case back complete with an applied gold-colored disk bearing a likeness of the Kon Tiki vessel itself.  To top it off, this execution has a gorgeous gradient dial (take that, Deep Sea!) and date window at 3 o'clock, making this tool watch-cum-dress piece an excellent daily wear option capable of withstanding anything you can throw at it, cross-Pacific excursions included.