Tourist Automatic ETA 2784

Tourist Automatic From 1974

This 1974 Tourist Automatic offers a confident blend of 1970s styling and serious vintage Swiss watchmaking. The compact 35.0 mm cushion case gives the watch strong wrist presence without feeling oversized, while the silver dial with coloured details provides an immediately recognisable signature. Green block markers framed in metal sit proudly against the sunburst background, complemented by a vivid central seconds hand that brings a subtle sporting touch. A framed date window at three o’clock adds everyday practicality. On the wrist, the watch feels like a robust, wearable mechanical timepiece rather than a delicate dress piece, ideal for collectors who appreciate characterful mid-century automatics that still perform as reliable daily companions.

Silver sunburst Dial

The dial of this Tourist is a textbook example of 1970s design executed with restraint. Its silver sunburst finish catches the light with every movement of the wrist, giving the watch a dynamic appearance even at rest. Bold rectangular indices, each with a metallic border and coloured centre, create a strong visual rhythm around the dial and make reading the hours effortless. The brand logo appears beneath twelve o’clock with the “AUTOMATIC” designation neatly beneath, while “25 JEWELS INCABLOC” at six o’clock confirms the quality of the movement inside. A slim minute track running along the inner edge provides precise alignment for the hands, reinforcing the impression of a practical, precision-oriented timepiece.

Hands

The handset is designed to maximise readability while reflecting the watch’s slightly sporty character. Broad baton hour and minute hands in a steel tone reach clearly to their respective indices, with lighter central sections designed to house luminous material when new. Their strong contrast against the dial ensures quick time reading in most conditions. A slim central seconds hand in a bright contrasting colour sweeps smoothly across the minute track, adding both visual energy and an immediate indication that the automatic movement is running. The proportions of all three hands are well judged, avoiding the “short hand” problem sometimes seen on cushion-case watches.

Tourist Automatic ETA 2784 - Cushion stainless steel Case

The stainless steel case is one of the defining features of this Tourist Automatic. Its cushion profile, with rounded corners and soft flanks, sits comfortably on the wrist and reflects the design language of the mid-1970s. The polished surfaces give the watch a refined appearance without tipping into formality, and the gentle curvature of the lugs allows the strap to follow the wrist’s shape naturally. At 40.0 mm lug to lug and 18.0 mm between the lugs, the proportions are versatile enough for a wide range of wrist sizes. A domed acrylic crystal completes the vintage look, softening reflections and contributing to the warm, tactile presence that many enthusiasts prefer over modern sapphire.

Crown

Positioned traditionally at three o’clock, the original crown is modestly sized yet practical, with deep coin-edge knurling that provides excellent grip when winding or setting the time and date. Its polished finish matches the case, and the simple, unsigned head suits the understated nature of the watch. Slightly recessed into the flank, it maintains the clean lines of the cushion profile and reduces the chance of snagging during everyday wear. The tactile feel when operating the crown, combined with the smooth action of the automatic movement, reinforces the sense that this is a well-engineered mechanical watch built for long-term use.

Tourist Automatic Leather Strap

This example is paired with a dark blue leather strap that complements the steel case and coloured hour markers. The strap has a matte surface with visible grain and contrasting light stitching near the lugs, underlining the watch’s relaxed dress-sport character. Its 18.0 mm width fills the lugs neatly and keeps the cushion case visually grounded on the wrist. A classic tang buckle makes adjustment straightforward and preserves the period-correct aesthetic. While the strap is a modern replacement chosen for comfort and style, it suits the watch so well that it feels like a natural extension of the original design.

Tourist Automatic ETA 2784 automatic movement

Inside the case beats the Swiss-made ETA 2784, a respected automatic movement from one of the industry’s most important ébauche manufacturers. This calibre features 25 jewels, a high-beat frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and a centrally mounted seconds hand, delivering smooth motion and precise timekeeping by vintage standards. It also includes a quick-set date mechanism operated via the crown, allowing rapid correction of the calendar after periods off the wrist. Incabloc shock protection helps safeguard the balance staff from everyday impacts, contributing to long-term reliability. In this watch the movement has been fully serviced, cleaned and regulated, ensuring that the automatic winding system and manual wind function both operate as intended. For collectors, the ETA 2784 provides an excellent balance of robustness, accuracy and ease of maintenance, making the watch suitable for regular wear rather than occasional display only.

Heritage of the Tourist Automatic in 1970s cushion-case design

The Tourist brand occupied an interesting niche in the landscape of vintage Swiss watchmaking, offering solid mechanical watches with distinctive styling at approachable price points. This Automatic model from 1974 exemplifies the shift towards cushion and tonneau shapes that characterised much of the decade, while still retaining a round dial and traditional three-hand layout. The colourful indices and bright seconds hand express the era’s appetite for bolder details without compromising legibility. In that context, this piece stands as a strong representative of 1970s everyday automatic watches that bridge the gap between dress and casual wear.

12-month warranty and worldwide shipping Condition, Originality, trust signals

This Tourist Automatic is presented as a used vintage wristwatch that has been carefully preserved and recently overhauled. The silver dial shows attractive, even ageing, with the coloured index centres and printed text remaining crisp and legible. The stainless steel cushion case retains its original contours, with only light surface marks consistent with respectful use over several decades. According to the specification, all major components are original, including dial, hands, case and automatic movement. The ETA 2784 calibre is fully serviced and fully operational, backed by a 12-month warranty for additional reassurance. With worldwide shipping available, this collectible mechanical timepiece is accessible to enthusiasts around the globe who value characterful 1970s automatics, and who may also wish to explore our wider selection of 1970s automatic vintage watches for men to curate a cohesive period-focused collection.