The stainless steel case is very wearable at 38mm in diameter and 12.2mm in height (46.2mm lug-to-lug) and comes with a brushed/polished finish or 18k yellow gold plating (7 microns) This is a hair thinner than the 2023 model The octagonal bezel has eight exposed screws (some Royal Oak inspiration) and the solid case back has the brand’s logo embossed A double-domed sapphire crystal protects the dial and water resistance is rated at 100 metres The redesigned (more ergonomic) integrated three-link bracelet comes standard with a tool-free micro-adjusting clasp and drilled lugs allow for an easy swap to optional straps The Onyx dial has applied stick indices and new Dauphine hands that replace baton(ish) hands from the 2023 model The optional date window from the F77 has also been removed along with the lollipop-style seconds hand that’s now straight There’s an applied logo below 12 o’clock and a simple minute/seconds track spans the outermost perimeter with Super-LumiNova dots after each index The black dial is flat compared to the basket weave meteorite and other designs available on the earlier F77 which also had an optional black ceramic case and bracelet Powering the new Nivada Grenchen F77 Mark II is the same Soprod P024 automatic from 2023 beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) and comes with a 38-hour power reserve and there’s also a date complication that isn’t utilised here EUR 1,665 or CHF 1,440 in steel and USD 1,690 For more information and to place an order, please visit Nivada Grenchen’s website An ingenieur knock off for about 1/10th price. That’s literally the only thing holding me back from buying one especially with the gorgeous dial options that were in the previous iteration Does the 18k plating look better than PVD Fake Gold I tried on the new model at a watch fair and it definitely wears better than the prior model I’m not usually a fan of integrated bracelet watches but after trying this new one on Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more Yet one watch that often gets overlooked in this discussion is the F77 line from Nivada, now known as Nivada Grenchen Here’s everything you need to know about it Nevada Gretchen’s absence from the integrated sports watches debate cannot best be blamed on a lack of historical provenance The Swiss watch brand’s roots date back to 1879 and the original F77 was first produced in 1977 However, the brand was also one of many watch companies that fell victim to the quartz crisis and lingered largely in obscurity for decades The result was while the Nivada name remained relevant with value-focused vintage buyers throughout that time the company’s obscured role in the new watch scene undoubtedly created a blind spot for the brand among younger watch enthusiasts Then, in 2020, Guillaume Laidet, a man with a Midas touch for watch brand revival, rebooted the brand the 38mm case is made entirely from 316L stainless steel It’s also slightly thinner at 12.20mm than the first F77 reboot references launched in 2022 the watch lugs have also been reworked to provide more bend to the bracelet addressing a common shortcoming of integrated sports watches that surprises many first-time wearers The slight change allows the watch to hug the wearer’s wrist more tightly But if integrated bracelets aren’t really your thing the F77 Mark II is also available with a velcro or black rubber strap Anyone interested in a bigger statement piece that’s still affordable may gravitate more toward the new F77 Mark II Gold It combines all of the improvements of its stainless steel sibling with an 18K yellow gold-plated case that’s guaranteed to catch attention Both Nivada Grenchen F77 Mark II references are now available from the brand’s website deliveries for the new model are expected to begin in early July How To Wear It The Cartier Tank Cintrée In-Depth Examining Value And Price Over Time With The ‘No Date’ Rolex Submariner Watches In The Wild The Road Through America, Episode 1: A Model Of Mass Production the king of digging through historical archives the brainchild behind the modern revivals of Nivada Grenchen and Vulcain the inspiration comes from a 1960s Antarctic GMT our site had offered many years ago and says that it's the only place he's seen one Two standouts on the watch were the Ervin Piquerez S.A (EPSA) compressor case and a funky red-and-black straight GMT hand this late 1960's example sold on Hodinkee a few years back Laidet tells me that this revival was completely designed based on the photos and dimensions in the old Hodinkee vintage listing as he was never actually able to buy the one to handle in person But when you are the head of a watch brand you can make your dreams come true and produce one out of thin air The two versions being released November 14th are a limited edition "Tropical" dial variant and the standard production black dial resembling the original reference Both are priced at $1,600 on the leather strap but there are other bracelet and strap options as well The case is largely faithful to the dimensions listed in that original shop listing – 36mm in diameter the modern variant is actually thinner than the original model in a sea of vintage reissues that never manage to get thickness and diameter right This is most likely because it's not a true "compressor" case that uses a sealing system for the case that tightens under higher pressure underwater – though the two signed screw-down crowns may lead one to assume so it's a slightly more geometric take on a cushion case especially for the vintage compressor fans out there but the fully polished broad shoulders of the case give it a fantastic presence even at 36mm This thing is certainly a strap monster – a Tropic strap or suede would be perfect The Antarctic GMT is water resistant to 5ATM the internal bezel is black for the night-time hours and yellow for the daytime hours all set in a plexiglass insert that accentuates the vintage aesthetic I noticed that the crown provided light tactile feedback rotating clockwise but didn't have as much of a feeling going counter-clockwise – stronger tactility both ways would have been better since I found it sometimes difficult to align the bezel perfectly Inside the watch is a Soprod C125 GMT movement with 42 hours of power reserve which means that the first position of the crown is to independently adjust the GMT hand (clockwise) and the date (counter-clockwise) Nivada is no stranger to using Soprod movements the Nivada Grenchen logo sits at 12 o'clock and the stylized "Antarctic GMT" logo sits below the handset at six o'clock the "Antarctic GMT" is printed on a slightly raised surface giving a three-dimensional look rather than just a standard printed logo Applied metal indices serve as the hour markers and the facets on the square indices catch light very well and make the dial quite legible with a date window at three o'clock and a printed minute track between the applied indices The handset is also quite faithful to the original down to the diamond shape of the seconds hand at the center post While I had assumed the black sections of the hour and minute hands interrupting the center stripes of white lume a quick UV test showed me that they are in fact lumed though fading much faster than the white SuperLuminova the star of the show here is that black and red checkerboard GMT hand One of the big stylistic choices to continue on the modern version is the use of a plexiglass crystal the dial looks great in bright light with the prominent box crystal providing much less distortion than sapphire would I much prefer a sapphire crystal on a modern reissue since it's a material advantage that equates to a much more reassuring wearing experience I completely understand the brand's decision to go plexi but in the few days that I've had the watch I've already accumulated two pretty visible scratches and have developed a fear of door handles and you see a prominent gold-tone engraving of the Nivada Antarctic logo with a penguin It's a slight departure from the much more subtle iteration on the original but this is one of those stylistic choices that I really quite enjoy The watch comes on a perforated rally-style strap though Nivada's entry is a lot bolder in its retro-vintage styling For more information on Nivada Grenchen and this watch, click here Introducing The Doxa Sub 200, Now With A Steel Bezel Introducing Seiko Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT 60th Anniversary Edition SPB519 Watch Spotting The Watches & Fashion Of Met Gala 2025 Business News Rolex Will Raise U.S. Prices In Response To Tariffs Six Of The Coolest CPO Rolex Watches I Saw In London's Old Bond Street Rolex Boutique Reference Points The Cartier Tank Louis Introducing The Christopher Ward C12 'Loco' (Live Pics) Hands-On Tudor's Black Bay Pro Gets A Surprisingly Dramatic Facelift With An Opaline Dial ShareSaveCommentLifestyleWatches & JewelryNivada Grenchen Experiments With A Striking Chrysocoll DialByMatthew Catellier Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights I cover watches and the world of haute horlogerie.Follow AuthorFeb 28 12:00pm ESTShareSaveCommentChrysocoll Dial Nivada Grenchen expands its integrated bracelet sports watch lineup with the new F77 Chrysocoll Special Edition This latest iteration of the F77 introduces a unique dial made from Chrysocoll a copper-based mineral known for its deep blue-green tones and intricate natural patterns shaped and finished to complement the distinct case geometry of the F77 the F77 has been revived with a near identical yet modernized construction The 37mm case is crafted from 316L stainless steel and paired with a sapphire crystal featuring anti-reflective coating The case sizing in combination with the unusual and striking dial makes this watch a sought after concept for collectors At the core of this special edition is the Soprod P024 automatic movement delivering a rather small 38-hour power reserve making it a capable everyday sports watch while still offering refinement with its mineral dial ensuring that each piece in this limited run is completely unique Matthew Catellier is the founder of leading online watch publication WatchReviewBlog.com Our editors carefully select every product we recommend. We may earn a commission from these links. Learn more In the watch world, we talk a lot about bezel materials. Just yesterday, we covered the new Panerai Navy SEALs collection, in which one of the models featured a titanium case with a carbon fiber composite bezel These rings on the outside of the dials are fun because they can add (or subtract) dimension and character from a given timepiece They can also a great deal of function as an extension of the dial itself such as with a graduated divers scale or a tachymeter Nivada Grenchen resurrects a vintage catalog piece called the Colorama VI It’s now transposing the idea to the modern scene with special editions of Chronomaster and Chronoking chronograph models Across three different references — the Chronoking Mecaquartz, Chronomaster Broad Arrow, and Chronomaster Paul Newman — the Interchangeable Bezel Kit comes with five different colors per model, each with plexiglass inserts. What’s more is the bezels can be snapped on or off tool-free and still provide you with bi-rotating tachymeter scales on each, which help to approximate your speed when driving a car They lock in with a super secure four-ball locking system to make sure they don’t come falling off I’ll be curious to see if the swappable bezel concept will be added to other Nivada Grenchen watches Paired with the matte black textured dial with orange accents the bezel colors that come with this watch are gray Next we go to the two vintage-inspired Chronomaster watches with the former sporting a black dial with red and gold accents and the latter featuring a white panda-style dial While these 38mm stainless steel watches are highly similar to the standard versions they do swap in the Landeron 70 manually-wound chronograph movement for the regular Sellita one These also come in the same nine strap options but there’s one that comes in the bezel lineup which includes red you do get to choose if you want an open or closed caseback which is a pretty unique customization option the Chronoking Mecaquartz starts at $579 and the Chronosport models start at $1,975 when they drop next month Head over to Nivada Grenchen’s website to learn more By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy For Nivada Gretchen’s latest unveiling, the independent watch has brought back a rare Antarctic GMT model from its archives with many of its design cues being borrowed from the ’60s and ‘70s Touted by its maker as being “expedition-ready,” the timepiece arrives in an EPSA-developed watch case which is best known for its patented “Super-Compressor” technology that leverages water pressure at depth to compress the case against its gasket First presented with a classic matte black dial it now comes back with a green dial and some more updates to note was a rather faithful evocation of the past with proportions lightly updated to match the current trends thanks to a brightly coloured dial – and some minor design updates to take into consideration too What remains is the case and the overall list of specifications We still look at a classic skin-diver watch with a fairly compact diameter of 38mm a reasonable thickness of 12.9mm and a shape that’s typical from the late 1950s The crown is unprotected and the lugs are fairly elongated with a unidirectional ceramic bezel (with a fully-graduated 60-minute scale) and a double-domed sapphire crystal Thanks to a screw-down crown and a solid steel back there’s the obvious; the emerald green colour and the sunray-brushed pattern The distinctive handset of the original black model has been kept with its bold rectangular hours and minutes hands and the old-school Antarctic Diver in cursive font is still there as the crosshair of the black edition is gone with a combination of applied and painted rectangles a simpler minute track and cream-toned SLN Nivada gives you the choice between a no-date or a date display and the latter doesn’t feature a magnifier anymore Power comes from a modern Soprod P024, Festina group’s clone of the ETA 2824-2 This simple automatic movement runs at 4Hz and stores 38 hours of power reserve It’s nothing extraordinary but it keeps the costs down the brand offers the watch with a variety of straps (leather Released as part of the permanent collection, the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver Green is fairly priced, coming at EUR 955, CHF 890 or USD 995. For more details, please visit NivadaGrenchenOfficial.com this is a remake of the 1970s Antarctic Sea model – the same distinctive lume/applied markers combo It has nothing to do with the 50s diver or the 2023 reissue so why the constant references to them in the article with no mention of the 70s model that inspired this Very nice dial and overall for the price a steal this is what I was looking for in this over priced market The second design of the series sees a splash of color in a limited edition of 150 pieces Ever since Nivada Grenchen released the Antarctic Diver back in 2023 the assortment page has remained largely stoic with the vintage-inspired black dial remaining as the brand's singular SKU in its skin-diver assortment But if you've been following what they've been up to you know that founder Guillaume Laidet is always sniffing around archives and private collections to find the next inspiration for the brand's historical self-homages and recreations Guillaume cites a 70's Nivada Antarctic-Sea While the original watch featured a more unconventional cushion case its emerald green dial finds its place within the modern Antarctic Diver platform in a new limited edition with a saturation that keeps it so even in darker environments with the metallic texture of the dial visible in bright light This brushing intensity also means that even in darker settings the dial manages to always remain dynamic with lighter and darker sections without really going flat While I was worried that this coloring would come across as a bit cheap I think the result in person is far more impressive than I would have hoped Surrounding the dial within the printed white minute track are large horizontal and rectangular indices – at three these manifest in chunky faceted applied metal indices At the rest of the hours are what the brand calls "cream latte-colored patina" indices in lume they are more of a green-yellow than anything in person the shapes are all chunky and wide and contribute to the unique proportions of indices on this specific design To complement these indices are some of the widest hands I've ever seen on a watch exaggerated in the smaller 38mm diameter case The rectangular hour and minute hands are beveled on all four sides but not faceted in the middle making their presence very prominent on the dial It's a good choice to take from the original vintage inspiration though I think they would have seemed much more appropriate if the watch had a round cushion case to counteract the blockiness of these hands that these hands are also on the standard black dial variant of the modern Antarctic Diver But with the rectangular indices of this watch The vintage inspiration doesn't stop there – the original typography also makes it onto this modern iteration The icon over the Nivada Grenchen branding is taken from the original vintage catalog listing and the cursive "Antarctic-Diver" is printed above six o'clock While I got to spend some time with the no-date version Guillaume has also opted to produce an arguably more accurate version with a framed date window pretty much everything is the same as on the standard Antarctic Diver The stainless steel case has a diameter of 38mm with a thickness of 12.9mm with the sides polished and the top and bottom brushed which often have sharper edges and more defined lines the transition from the top to side of the case is softer and may come across as feeling a bit overpolished it doesn't feel like it just came out fresh from the CNC mill which does nicely to feel a bit more premium than most of the more historically faithful aluminum bezels usually seen at this price point meaning that it operates bidirectionally with no click system and the resistance is firm enough to hold the bezel in place – I'd assume not many are truly relying on this watch as a proper dive tool The overall dimensions of the watch make for a very wearable dive watch that offers a water resistance of 200 meters and the tropic rubber strap makes for an impressively comfortable fit on my wrist Inside the watch is the Nivada-standard SOPROD PO24 caliber with a power reserve of 38 hours which equates to a less-than-ideal ghost-date position on the no-date variant and you'll see the stamped caseback with a penguin on the back I'll never complain about a fun design like that This edition of the Antarctic Diver is limited to 150 pieces with 75 pieces made of the no-date version and 75 pieces made of the model with a date window With the retail price remaining the same as the standard edition the green serves as an interesting colorway with enough unique design elements to let it stand out as a limited run Is it any bit groundbreaking or revolutionary But as a hyper-stylized and saturated offering from Nivada it's a good option to compel someone who might want something a bit more off the beaten path Stainless steel case with a diameter of 38mm and thickness of 12.9mm Green dial with no date and date window variants available Soprod PO24 caliber with automatic winding Available in several strap or bracelet options If you’re in the market for a vintage-inspired chronograph watch that’s also affordable, the Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster is probably the best you can do That’s been the case ever since the brand was resurrected back in 2020 with the design of its current versions of the quirky Chronomaster being so faithful to the original 1960s watches that they’re nearly indistinguishable from one another But what would happen if you took the Chronomaster, which has only ever looked like a vintage watch and gave it a thoroughly contemporary makeover It’s crazy how something as simple as a color change can so drastically alter the look of a watch — though Nivada has taken the standard Chronomaster Broad Arrow and turned nearly every aspect of the watch black transforming the retro icon into something that feels very different The stainless steel case and beads of rice bracelet both feature a glossy black DLC coating The dial is matte black with the majority of its markings — all text running seconds and most of the 30-minute chronograph counter — in dark gray minimizing contrast and giving the watch a stealthy look The only contrast you’ll find on the dial comes courtesy of the white chronograph hands the yacht timer markings — which add a daring touch of red along with white — and the lume All indices and the hour and minute hands are filled with stark-white Super-LumiNova rather than the fauxtina present on many of Nivada’s offerings This high-contrast lume gives the Chronomaster Full Black an even more hypermodern look and it matches the bright white markings on the dual-use It also makes the normally busy Chronomaster dial exceedingly legible The bracelet has quick-release spring bars as do the two other available straps: a black leather one with contrasting white stitching and a very modern-looking black rubber option The rubber version comes fitted with a folding deployant clasp adding to the contemporary feel of the watch Nivada has recently revamped its Chronomaster line switching all models to its new interchangeable bezel system The brand also isn’t currently offering any automatic versions of the watch with all other Chronomasters outside of the Full Black housing manually wound chronograph movements I’m sure at some point Nivada will bring back automatic Chronomasters with ratcheting bezels that can’t be swapped out I love it when a familiar watch is able to reinvent itself so thoroughly But its blacked-out colorway makes it feel so much more modern and daring that it feels like a complete reinvention of the watch The only downside that I can see is the watch’s availability Nivada is making just 50 examples of the Chronomaster Full Black with some available online and some reserved for the brand’s “best retailers.” That’s a tiny amount and I have no doubt they’ll sell out quickly and you’ll see that almost everything is based on a historic design a watch that is modelled after Nivada Grenchen’s first GMT watch is not going to change this rather successful recipe Here’s the new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT a timepiece that’s all about bringing back 1970s Jet Age vibes Just like the recent Chronosport the story behind the creation of this Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT involves historical research and a bit of luck While searching Nivada’s past collections to complete the book dedicated to the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Guillaume Laidet (CEO) came across a rare gem for sale on a famous online shop most likely dating from the late 1960s or early 1970s Nivada joined the ranks of many brands producing such watches sparking demand for GMT watches among frequent travellers the historic Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT came in a 200m dive-ready case developed by Ervin Piquerez S.A with its classic twin-crown design (here with one to control the 24-hour bezel the other to actuate the movement) and the patented technology that leveraged the water pressure at depth to compress the case against its gasket which didn’t yet allow for independent adjustment of the 24-hour hand it moved in sync with the 12-hour hand (like an early GMT Master by Rolex) using its now classic theme of reviving past icons in a relatively faithful way Nivada Grenchen introduces a deliberately vintage historically relevant and compact watch with many attributes of the past watch and faithful dimensions – 36mm in diameter 11.1mm in thickness and about 41mm in length – that echo the vintage watch Nivada has opted for a domed plexiglass crystal instead of a sapphire crystal thus enhancing its retro charm (there’s a unique warmth to plexiglass) and avoiding the distortions commonly seen with thick have been made regarding the case’s construction which is now a classic 2-part architecture with a traditional screw-in caseback and a rather limited 50m water-resistance It might retain the look of an old EPSA Compressor watch with its emblematic two crowns but it’s not a real compressor watch anymore but it’s also how Nivada manages to offer its watches at highly competitive prices It nevertheless retains the unique flair and feel of the original model as the Antarctic GMT now features an independent 24-hour hand which can separately track an additional time zone the bezel becomes a third time zone indicator We’re not talking about a true GMT function with one-hour increment adjustments on the local hour hand but it’s certainly a major improvement over the vintage model with a 4Hz frequency and a 42h power reserve Nivada always offers multiple options and this new Antarctic GMT is no exception with either a perforated leather strap in light brown or black a tropic-like rubber strap or a steel beads-of-rice steel bracelet 50m are enough and acrylic as a deliberate option is not a cost-cutting measure That GMT hand though… a deviation from the original wouldn’t have been a bad thing in this case from afar the gmt hand looks like a red snake 😛 No excuse for 50m WR minimum of 100m WR should be standard given the amount of pressure that could be exerted on a watch from daily use Nobody walks around boasting about his watch having an acrylic crystal and some underwhelming 50m of water resistance (no screw in crown!) because only that assures the original vintage flair visual design and movement choice will do that screw in crown and and at least 100m water resistant so that you can actually wear it in all situations I applaud this release by Nivada and wish Hong Kong based Enicar would do the same one day with their immense catalog (or any other brand with a passion for these classics There are more than a few similarities between the late 1960s Enicar Sherpa Jet 4 hand pilot watch (36mm EPSA case AR1146 in house movement) and the original Nivada GMT movement type: it certainly looks like this was either a colab avant la lettre or a case of one brand being heavily inspired by the other Both watch factories were located in the same region too (they were practically neighbors) but I cannot find information about the movement that was used The webshop mentioned in this article does not state the movement version either but I would love to see the definite proof please open it up and look for the AR1146 signature on the base plate I am a huge fan of Nivada past and present and you seem to know a lot about the brand I just acquired what seems to be a very rare Nivada C1 diver from the 1970s (only the second I have ever seen available online) and would love to see what you know about it and the C1 line I can DM an image of it if you are interested Nivada Grenchen is no stranger to bringing back vintage concepts models taken straight from the past like the Chronomaster and Chronoking anchor the lineup Guillaume takes inspiration from a very different Nivada creation from the early 1960s – the COLORAMA VI watch and applies it to the iconic chronographs from the brand each accompanied by a kit of five different interchangeable bezels and snap-on bezel kits for this release on three watches – the Chronomaster "Broad Arrow," Chronomaster "Singer Paul Newman," and Chronoking Mecaquartz the Chronomaster "Broad Arrow" remains essentially unchanged This to me is one of the defining models of Nivada's modern revival and it makes sense to leave unchanged here for the bezel kit With the Chronomaster "Broad Arrow," you get five aluminum bezels: black and red bezels with minute and hour markings and a dual-color black and red bezel with minute markings in the black portion and city names on the perimeter in the red The other Chronomaster model features a Singer-style dial for the first time in a lower-priced entry from the brand While this model is by no means inexpensive it is a lot cheaper than the Valjoux 23-based limited edition that came in 2021 at $4,900 The dial features a heavily contrasting black and white dial and the base of the dial as well as the subdial printing in stark white the same five bezels as the ones with the "Broad Arrow" will be included The new "Red and Black" bezel works so well with the Singer-style dial on this Chronomaster While Nivada's modern Chronomasters utilized the manually-winding Sellita SW510 chronograph movement in their mechanical variants these two Chronomasters utilize Landeron 70 manually-winding movements an homage to a movement supplier of Nivada in the past The movements will be in full view with the option of sapphire casebacks on these models but it's nice to have a choice for the modern version especially since there are still plenty of solid caseback options on the site Both the "Broad Arrow" and "Singer Paul Newman" variants come in at 38mm in diameter and a thickness of 13.75mm Last but certainly not least in the new lineup is a new take on the Chronoking Mecaquartz The Chronoking Mecaquartz has seen great success in the past year and this time around Nivada introduces another vintage-inspired dial The Chronoking has received the most attention in terms of bezels as there are in total 10 different options you can choose between two sets of bezels – GMT or tachymeter The GMT bezels feature plexiglass inserts and have an outer black ring with city names The inner ring features different colors behind a tachymeter scale: orange The tachymeter bezels come in solid colors just like all of its other Mecaquartz versions comes in at 38mm in diameter with a 13.4mm thickness with a quartz timekeeping element and a mechanical module on top for the chronograph functions the three o'clock subdial features a fixed 24-hour time indicator surely on account of the five interchangeable bezels This isn't the first time we've seen Nivada Grenchen embrace the idea of giving the customer what they want through customization Nivada has offered customization options for both the Depthmaster and Chronomaster customers were able to create their own combination of bezels Guillaume seems to lean into the idea that "the customer is always right" with those programs though there were sure to be some not-so-nice-looking combinations Guillaume is giving customers a pre-established framework in which they can customize their watch since the only thing we can usually change up after the fact on a watch is the strap With the Chronomaster variants, I'm curious to see how the Landeron 70 movement will perform when compared to the Sellita SW510. The SW510 seems to be the de facto manual chronograph movement in this price range, and up until now, I had zero idea that anything by the name of Landeron still existed. Some Googling shows a company called Landeron Swiss Movements I've learned that Landeron is back in this new form but I'm assuming this is not the Landeron of old so I guess time will tell to see how these chronograph movements perform I think I would have preferred the peace of mind of a Sellita movement the most exciting one of these three is the Chronoking Mecaquartz and a key trait among all the Chronoking Mecaquartz variations is the sunken-in subdials There are quite a few layers if you look closely at the dial and all that dimension makes a $579 watch punch way above its weight The plexiglass GMT bezels are also interesting since they seem to provide the watch with more visual interest It's a situation in which leaning into the busyness works well These interchangeable bezels seem like a lot of fun and Nivada Grenchen has mentioned that additional models are currently under development we'll see Guillaume and company work on bezel-only releases which will be a great way to give new life to watches collectors already own It's a great way to offer another point of customization through accessories as well as a smart way to keep the conversation going with interchangeable bezelsReference Number: 86056M01LO (Broad Arrow); 86054M01LO (Paul Newman Dial); 87042Q01 (Chronoking Mecaquartz) Diameter: 38mmThickness: 13.75mm (manually-wound Chronomasters); 13.4mm (Chronoking Mecaquartz)Case Material: SteelDial Color: Black (Broad Arrow); white (Paul Newman); black (Chronoking)Indexes: Applied (Paul Newman and Chronoking); printed (Broad Arrow)Lume: YesWater Resistance: 100mStrap/Bracelet: Various Caliber: Landeron 70 (Chronomasters); VK63 Mecaquartz (Chronoking)Functions: Hours 24-hour indicator (Chronoking only)Diameter: 30.4mmThickness: 7.58mmPower Reserve: 46 hoursWinding: Manual (Chronomasters)Frequency: 28,800 vphJewels: 32 Chronoking Mecaquartz starts at $579Availability: First deliveries start in the beginning of OctoberLimited Edition: No For more, click here In 2024, the Swiss watchmaker released a 1970s-style chronograph copied from a prototype that never went into production. Dubbed the Chronosport, it turned heads for featuring sub-dials identical to the legendary Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman.” While far more affordable than the six-figure market value of any Daytona much less a “Paul Newman” reference the mechanical chronograph still costs just over $2,000 and has since sold out Thankfully for tight-budgeted shoppers and avid chronograph fans everywhere Nivada has expanded the Chronosport collection with a meca-quartz version going for less-than-half the price the new Chronosport Mecaquartz has three subdials increasing its resemblance to Newman’s grail watch I had the pleasure of field testing the Chronosport Mecaquartz and it pulled ahead of every other sub-$1,000 chronograph I’ve gotten my hands on the case has some weight but feels comfortable on the wrist and the relatively compact size is refreshing It is the best option for fans of the golden age of auto-racing chronographs who either can’t afford genuine vintage options or don’t want to deal with the upkeep of a fifty-year-old watch I’m conditioned to looking at twenty-first-century chronographs which rarely get smaller than 40 millimeters and the new Chronosport is true to the era with a 38-millimeter case and this is the best-fitting chronograph I’ve ever worn Nivada’s commitment to reproducing 1970’s-era detailing stood out if only measurable in a scale of millimeters The smooth salmon sub-dials are sunken into the grainy matte black background tipped with orange dots that raise up a bit further Only the Nivada logo and tachymeter track appear flat against the background Another detail that doesn’t stand out until you hold the watch is that the bezel is slightly sunken into the case It is bi-directional and does not click into place Nivada equipped the Chronsport Mecaquartz with a Seiko-made VK67 Meca-Quartz movement It has a reputation for being reliable and easy to service and the chronograph reset is instantaneous which is shockingly efficient in this price range Meca-quartz movements like the VK67 operate the running time like a quartz watch and the stopwatch like a mechanical chronograph If you are a stickler for the smooth sweep of an automatic watch it is pleasing to see the seconds register hand run that way It is also easier to ignore a jumping running second hand when it is tucked away on a sub-dial the Chronsport Mecaquartz has some weight to it with the same wrist feel as my 41-millimeter dive watch I always go for reliability.” As with any mechanical device I feel reassured when it weighs as much as I think it should the only issue that came up after some time on the wrist is that the double-domed sapphire crystal looks great straight on but warps the tachymeter track when viewed from an angle The Nivada Chronosport Mecaquartz has everything I look for in an everyday watch has a classic look that matches everything in my wardrobe and feels comfortable on my wrist the retro aesthetic and pink sub-dials call attention without making a scene which is to say that people will inevitably ask you about it without you showing it off six-figure Rolex is the type of conversation starter that brings watch fans together It is available in a limited edition reference with pink sub-dials and a regular production model with tan sub-dials Nivada offers a choice of eight different straps but I shouldn't have judged a book by its Singer-dialed cover I saw the press release for the Nivada Grenchen Chronosport – a recreation of a vintage Nivada (as the brand does) and immediately put it out of my mind I can't place another chronograph with subdials at nine and 12 o'clock It felt like an unfinished idea (not the fault of the new one but more about the prototype it was based on) and almost disconcertingly visually top-heavy My gut said that the community would feel the same and I didn't feel like I needed to create a forum to dunk on a solid recreation of a watch that I thought suffered for no other reason than being weird "it still looks kinda weird." Then I saw a listing for an original version on Chrono24 and thought about buying it which means that either I had gone insane or maybe there was actually something here I thought was compelling enough to talk about by the time I saw this new release in the metal – and the company's owner we've got a watch here that's worth at least a quick look I love the idea of vintage watches and own a handful but I like the comfort of wearing something new it's just about not wanting to worry about banging up a watch that survived a long time before my clumsy self got my hands on it You also get things like the reliable 200m water resistance in this case The buzz around the watch started a bit before launch when Nivada Grenchen shared a photo on its Instagram of one of these "exotic Singer dial" prototype watches from the 1970s that was up for sale at Bulang & Sons you'll know that Jean Singer was one of the greatest dial makers in Switzerland and is known for everything from Omega Speedmaster Racing and the Heuer Skipper to the famed Paul Newman Daytona A close up of a ref. 6241 Paul Newman, from our Reference Points in 2014 You'll also know that Singer prototypes are a thing unto themselves (heck there's a bunch of weird and wild Rolexes out there with Singer dials taken from a salesman travel sample book) This vintage watch falls somewhere between the rare one-offs and the mass-produced commercial products And that kind of wrinkle of interest in a brand's history is enough to launch a watch especially for a brand built on recreating past pieces when I looked at the file name of the photos from Bulang & Sons it said "Poor Man's Newman," and there are certainly recognizable features on both the old and the new to give it that sort of title The biggest is the "lollipop" markers and Art Deco font on the subdials like the open 6 and other numbers like 2's and 5's that are a bit bolder and more crisp in different areas but these are the tiny things that deep vintage lovers are passionate about the original watch featured a flat printing for the subdials You'll also notice that the dial is much more flat The lume was relegated to the end of the hands and (aged) yellow dots on the end of the hour markers I think that things like the fully-lumed Super LumiNova baton hour markers and more lume-filled hands make a lot of sense from a usability standpoint Sinking the subdials seems like a solid plan And while I like the raised printing of the tachymeter the texture of the dial feels like it went just a little too far The watch isn't particularly thin and feels a bit top-heavy for that fact and 44.3mm in lug to lug and felt pretty noticeable on my wrist But it's a very particular case shape: blocky would they have complained about what was standard for the time contrasting against the brushed top case and bracelet The thickness is because of the modified Valjoux 7750 automatic movement inside (an iconic movement and a good reason to consider any watch The bracelet has been improved from the vintage example And the double-domed sapphire crystal sticks out like the original plastic one The caseback on the Bulang & Sons example had a flat caseback but Nivada Grenchen stuck with what would have been more of a production design All of this came sole from the team at Nivada working off the pictures of the Bulang & Sons model Guillaume told me they weren't able to acquire one of the rare 20 original pieces They 3-D printing and tried CNC for refining so that the shape and thickness was correct and the pushers and crown sat appropriately on the case I feel like they must have gotten quite close I am not sure how much overlap there is between people who love heritage reissues and hate fauxtina – they seem to go hand in hand but I'm sure a commenter will chime in and say "I'm here." But Nivada has made another version where all the yellowed bits are still white as they would have been back in the day (minus the subdials but it brought me to the last little thing I liked about it If you've ever handled an old watch with a textured aluminum bezel (or sometimes even plastic there's something instantly recognizable about the feeling of an old coated bezel on your fingers The fluted unidirectional rotating aluminum bezel here is blacked out and feels pure vintage in a charming way and has both minutes like a dive bezel and twelve-hour numbers At a time when I often feel like a lot of releases are "rinse and repeat," an iconic designer creating something weird in the 1970s is probably just what I needed to check out For more, visit Nivada Grenchen here 38mm diameter by 15.7mm thick 316L Stainless Steel case Singer-inspired black dial with yellowed subdials and lumed hour indices Available on brushed steel bracelet with folding clasp or a selection of 10 different straps (leather A multipurpose instrument with chronograph functions and 200m water-resistance which surfaced as a prototype in the early 1970s has provided the blueprint for its 21st-century revival Founded in 1926 by Jacob Schneider in Granges, Nivada Grenchen was one of the first watch brands to produce automatic watches in 1930. It introduced its first automatic waterproof model, the Antarctic, in 1950. If you are interested in the brand’s history, Brice’s article covers most of the early references revived since Laidet took over According to the brand, Laidet came across a Chronosport model on an auction site. Since only 20 prototypes of the Chronosport were produced, it was a rare find. After posting it on social media, it went viral, and Laidet seized the opportunity The chunky cushion-shaped case of the Chronosport encapsulates the bravado and bold colours of 1970s sports watches to a tee the 15.7mm thickness transmits its tool watch personality the height includes the 3mm double-domed sapphire crystal but it is deliberately accentuated with a thick polished bevel running along the case flanks with the relatively small cylindrical pushers and large screw-down crown A vertical satin-brushed finish dominates the rest of the case extending to the blocky three-link bracelet and the stocky T-shaped lugs curve to meet the bracelet for a surprisingly comfortable and compact fit The matte black unidirectional aluminium bezel has a lightly scalloped edge and features white 60-minute and 12-hour scales These can be useful for timing a dive (although the 20-minute area is not highlighted) There are two slightly different versions of the Chronosport one with a white luminous dot at noon and a funkier model with a burst of egg-yolk yellow on the bezel The solid caseback is embossed with the brand’s logo and matches the 200m water-resistance rating of the original the dial has a grained matte background and an attractive silver printed tachymetre scale for the ultimate sporty touch you can appreciate the fun distortions produced by the domed sapphire crystal also features a silver frame to match the tachymeter and is offset with a white background have a blob of eggy yellow or white lume at their tips matching the central hour and minute hands Another unexpected detail is the bright splash of red used for the depth rating 660ft = 200m As a watch that made a tentative debut in the 1970s, the movement powering it also happens to be from the same period. Beneath the solid caseback is the trustworthy ETA/Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement with a 4Hz frequency and a passable power reserve of 42 hours Although we only took pictures of the stainless steel bracelet the Chronosport can be ordered with ten different bracelets/straps from a bead-of-rice combo to rally-style perforated leather straps Models paired with straps start at USD 2,180 while those fitted with a stainless steel bracelet retail for USD 2,380 The pre-order period opened on July 25 and is still open with the first batches delivered at the end of October 2024 For more information, please consult nivadagrenchenofficial.com I wish they’d get their QC up to snuff though And pray you never have to utilize their warranty department these Swiss made watches ship from China and need to go back there if there is an issue… a Antarctic 3 6 9 (Tropical) and a Chronomaster nothing but good experience with these watches it’s the manual winding version and it wears so nice I don’t wear my Navitimer or BigEye anymore haha But the world of vintage watches is full of rare and forgotten curiosities, and perhaps no brand has more of these in its back catalog than Nivada Grenchen The reborn tool-watch brand is constantly resurrecting freshly discovered bangers from decades past and now the Swiss favorite is at it again with the resurrected Antarctic GMT for help in tracing the history of the Antarctic GMT As is the case with most everything Nivada makes the reborn Antarctic GMT is nearly identical to the original version from five decades ago While the watch’s case is no longer a dive-appropriate Super Compressor it is still a period-correct 36mm across x 11.1mm thick and features the twin-crown setup of the original Plexiglass was also employed for the dramatic boxed crystal The movement powering the reboot is a Soprod C125 automatic, an affordable Swiss-made “office” GMT featuring an independently adjustable fourth hand and a quick-set date The GMT hand is the same red-and-black checkered cigarette style as on the original — one of the watch’s standout details — while the inner 24-hour bezel keeps its yellow Super-LumiNova is used to illuminate the hour and minute hands along with the applied indices gold-colored engraved penguin medallion appears on the caseback just as it does on the brand’s non-GMT Antarctic models Anytime Nivada dusts off another tool watch from its archives The brand’s offerings are always loaded with style and its mid-century history as a true explorer’s brand only adds to its watches’ appeal It’s well-proportioned (it wears closer to a 38 than a 36 due to its cushion case) and it looks great You can also control just how vintage you want the watch to look as it’s available in two dial colors: newer-looking black and a faux-aged tropical brown Both colors are available on a variety of straps, including multiple leather, rubber and steel bracelet options the watch’s SRP starts at just $1,600 The Antarctic GMT will be available to purchase soon directly from Nivada’s website it is now time for the brand to dig even deeper into its archives The latest watch to bear the name Nivada on its dial is somehow an elusive one a re-edition of a rare 1970s model that never made it to full production Meet the new Nivada Grenchen Chronosport 38mm The story behind this new Chronosport is once again a mix of past and present, and community-driven creativity. It all started when Guillaume Laidet, the man behind the resurrection of the brand stumbled upon a rather surprising watch offered at an auction This watch is said to have only been produced in about 20 examples and never made it to full-scale production these prototypes seem to be ready and it’s time now for Nivada Grenchen to finally release it the new Chronosport is on the compact side for an automatic chronograph remaining close to the dimensions of vintage watches the thickness of 15.7mm (thanks to the 7750 inside) won’t remain unnoticed with a bulky shape and brushed surfaces with strong polished lateral bevels What sets this watch apart is its combination of features including a fluted unidirectional black aluminium bezel with 60-minute and 12-hour scales (thus capable of timing dives or cooking pasta The latter is protected by a double-domed sapphire crystal and this Nivada Grenchen Chronosport comes with a comfortable water-resistance of 200m This makes this watch a multi-purpose instrument chronograph There’s an undeniable “Singer touch” on this new Nivada specifically for the markers of the sub-counters which have been made in taupe with a hint of khaki (to give it a tropical look) and positioned originally at 9 and 12 o’clock The grained black base also features a tachymeter scale and lumed markers and hands – note that Nivada offers the choice between white or yellow SLN The date at 3 o’clock is faithful to the original model and somehow makes sense in the whole design Inside the case, no surprises. This Chronosport relies on the tried-and-tested Valjoux 7750, an automatic chronograph with a solid construction, 4Hz frequency and about 42h power reserve. More details to be discovered in this in-depth article The watch is offered on a stainless steel bracelet or a wide choice of leather but that thickness… I’m definitely going to need to see some live footage of this one haha Some prototypes are better left in history books What a beauty but like the rest of the collection sized for small men or probably for the asian market Some other small companies like Yema are capable of offering 2 sizes just need to shave a few mm from the thickness Get ready to glow your mind with more luminous details than ever and a hybrid Meca-quartz movement we welcomed the arrival of a glowing grey-hued take on Nivada Grenchen's funky Riffing on the brand's recent revival of its circa 1970s Chronoking Mecaquartz we're excited to announce that the cult-classic hybrid chronograph has officially gotten the "Grey Glow" remix and is more luminous and affordable than that of its predecessor the Chronoking Grey Glow Mecaquartz Exclusive Edition is ready to bring a touch of glowing retro revival fun to your wrist just in time for summer It seems only fitting to begin with the most exciting etc details and then work our way out from there Like the previous glowing release from last year the hour markers and hands are coated with bright green lume In addition to these admittedly rather expected glowing details the real fun comes in with the trio of subdials which have all undergone the lume treatment as well as the recessed tachymeter bezel scale encircling the dial So if you find yourself needing to time any late-night impromptu drag races rest assured all chronograph functions will be bright and legible The double-domed sapphire crystal protecting the dial also serves as a callback to the acrylic hesalite crystal frequently found on '70s-era chronographs but much of that is due to the domed profile of the crystal itself so this piece actually feels a touch smaller and streamlined than that number may suggest this piece is paired with a calfskin leather strap in a shade of grey that complements the dial perfectly the Chronoking "Grey Glow" Mecaquartz uses a meca-quartz movement in the form of the Seiko VK63 For those uninitiated (or in need of a review) commonly referred to as a "hybrid" type of caliber these movements combine the easy reliability of quartz with a mechanical module to control chronograph functions This technique eliminates some of the undesirable features of the typical quartz chronograph (namely the ticking and resetting of the chronograph hand) allowing the chronograph seconds hand to sweep and snap back to zero at the press of a pusher The quartz element of this piece is used for other timekeeping functions and is rugged and easy to service if necessary and you'll find the closed caseback is adorned with the Nivada Grenchen logo as well as each piece's unique serial number out of 150 Priced at $479, you can now get the Chronoking "Grey Glow" Mecaquartz Exclusive Edition only in the Hodinkee Shop The modern incarnation of Swiss watch brand Nivada Grenchen is the practical definition of “right place The brand initially shut its doors at the height of the Quartz Crisis, as mechanical watches had fallen out of favor due to the lower cost and better accuracy provided by battery-powered quartz watches Fast-forward to today, and the reborn Nivada — which was resurrected in 2020 — has found a perfect home in the modern mechanical watch market. By reissuing vintage models from its mid-century heyday, the brand can offer up more affordable alternatives to popular luxury watches while simultaneously laying claim to the legitimate history of those same styles Which brings me to Nivada’s latest release. The brand has issued a new version of its Depthmaster dive watch and while the watch follows the same basic blueprint as Nivada’s existing Depthmaster reissues the new Midnight Blue colorway and a couple of design tweaks make this the most contemporary version of the diver we’ve seen yet The original Depthmaster, which has lovingly been nicknamed the “Pacman” by vintage collectors due to its indices’ resemblance to the ’80s arcade character But Nivada’s latest twist on the Depthmaster bridges that gap It keeps the basic DNA of the style — it’s still a 1,000m-capable cushion-cased diver — but its aesthetics have been softened and modernized The Pacman-esque indices have been swapped for more standard-looking dive watch indices that look like something you’d find on a Tudor The steel bezel has been traded for a modern ceramic bezel with fully-lumed markings The dial has been given a coarse texture with a dégradé finish that darkens from midnight blue at the center to black at the minute track. The watch also carries over the standard Depthmaster’s most modern touches, namely the flat sapphire crystal and automatic helium escape valve Overall, it’s a wonderful juxtaposition of vintage and contemporary dive watch cues in a wearable 39mm package that clocks in at just under a grand on a rubber strap The Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster Blue is once again powered by the Soprod Cal P024 no-date automatic movement and is topped with a sapphire crystal It’s available exclusively on a matching dark blue Tropic rubber strap and is priced at a beyond-reasonable $995 That’s quite a spectacular deal for a dive watch with both an interesting history and an abundance of impressive modern specs Nivada is making just 150 examples of the Depthmaster Blue meaning the watch isn’t going to be available for very long I’d recommend ordering one quickly before they’re gone And now it’s time to say hello to the new Ace Jewelers x Nivada Grenchen F77 Amsterdam featuring alternating brushed and polished surfaces It includes a double-domed sapphire crystal and a solid caseback engraved with the timepiece’s number in the limited edition of 50 pieces What sets the Ace Jewelers x Nivada Grenchen F77 Amsterdam limited edition apart is its striking black matte dial adorned with applied silver-coloured indices and an applied red XXX just below the Nivada logo (a reference to the city’s flag) The distinctive baton central hour and minute hands feature luminous inserts while the central seconds hand stands out in red complete with a rectangular “lollipop” tip touched with lume The F77 Amsterdam edition features a clean, no-date design. It is powered by the Soprod P024 movement (an ETA 2824 clone) with a 38-hour power reserve. It comes with an integrated 3-link brushed steel bracelet secured by a folding clasp. It is priced at EUR 1,270, taxes included. For more details and orders, please visit acejewelers.com WATCHPRO USA Nivada Grenchen has again looked to the archives for a new watch – a GMT that channels 1970s style the reborn brand has been making good use of a history that goes back to 1926 The new Antarctic GMT is based on a pilot’s watch of the same name from the early 1970s but production was cut short – as happened for so many watches – by the quartz crisis As well as being ideal for flying over the polar regions the vintage watch was apparently ‘dive-ready’ too In aesthetic terms the watches are very similar with the red-and-black GMT hand and two-tone 24-hour bezel The new watch is available with either a black or brown (tropical) dial and comes on either a black or brown perforated leather strap The original watch was powered by an Enicar automatic GMT movement The modern watch has a Swiss-made Soprod C125 automatic GMT movement with 42-hour power reserve the closed caseback carries the image of a penguin The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT costs $1,600 ShareSaveCommentLifestyleWatches & JewelryIntroducing The Nivada Grenchen Chronosport: Revival Of A ‘70s ClassicByMatthew Catellier I cover watches and the world of haute horlogerie.Follow AuthorJul 27 has unveiled its latest masterpiece: the Chronosport who took the helm in 2018 with a vision to reissue iconic models from the brand The journey to the Chronosport's revival began when Laidet discovered the original model on an auction site maintaining its vintage charm while integrating modern manufacturing technology The new Chronosport stands out with its unique dial The textured matte black background is complemented by two sunken sub-dials in taupe with a hint of khaki enhanced with white Super-LumiNova and accented by a white or yellow dot renowned for his work on the Omega Speedmaster Racing and the Heuer Skipper the dial incorporates these successful elements with a unique style Powered by the automatic Valjoux-7750-ETA movement the Chronosport features a 42-hour power reserve and functions including central hours is protected by a domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating The watch also has a fluted unidirectional rotating aluminum bezel it sports a white or yellow dot at 12 o'clock The Chronosport is equipped with a tachymeter scale on the bezel allowing users to measure speed over a known distance—a feature considered essential by pilots and race car drivers using rounded knurled gripers instead of the traditional sharp knurling Matthew Catellier is the founder of leading online watch publication WatchReviewBlog.com WATCHPRO Nivada Grenchen introduces the Antarctic Diver Green a striking new addition to its iconic Antarctic collection It comes as a tribute to the original 1960s model after designer Guillaume Laidet was inspired by a vintage green dial at Cenic Watches near Buren – just a stone’s throw from Grenchen – resulting immediately in the reissue of the Antarctic Diver Green The Antarctic Diver Green features a 38mm stainless steel case This timepiece is powered by a Swiss automatic SOPROD P024 movement with a 38-hour power reserve offering reliability and accuracy for everyday use making it suitable for recreational diving and other aquatic activities plus a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal ensures long-lasting clarity even after repeated exposure to harsh conditions The unidirectional rotating bezel on the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver Green adds to its dive-watch credentials allowing wearers to track elapsed time underwater with precision The engraved markings on the bezel are designed for clear visibility ensuring safety and ease of use while submerged the watch comes with both a stainless steel bracelet and a rubber strap The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver Green is a limited edition of 150 pieces and is available to buy online from the 30 January $995 USD / 890 CHF / €956, nivadagrenchenofficial.com Stop me if you’ve heard this one before Your mind probably went to Sir Edmund Hillary’s summit of Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay in 1953, and the famous Rolex Explorer prototype that accompanied them But I was actually describing Nivada Grenchen and its own purpose-built 1950s adventure watch The 34mm watch became the first wristwatch worn in the southernmost continent in 1956 when it was issued to Admiral Richard E the United States’ mission to set up a permanent base on the continent The reborn Nivada brand has been making modern Antarctic watches for a few years now, offering buyers a budget alternative to the Rolex Explorer that is not an homage and that has similar historical significance behind it Today, the brand’s Antarctic offerings have improved further, as Nivada is now offering both the Super Antarctic and Antarctic Spider — both previously only available in a 38mm size — in a new, more period-correct 35mm case The new Super Antarctic and Antarctic Spider have the same general design as their larger brethren The Super Antarctic is available exclusively with a black dial — like the Explorer — and comes with the option or white or beige lume for its applied triangle and baton indices and Rolex-adjacent handset features a silver sunburst or matte black dial with a printed “spidered” pattern emanating from its center out to the applied silver indices It also features a cyclops date window at 3 o’clock Both watches have 35mm stainless steel cases with sapphire crystals 50m water resistance and Landeron 21 manual-wind movements beating away inside The casebacks feature a gold-tone medallion showing a penguin a cute throwback to the brand’s original mid-century Antarctic watches The new 35mm version of the Super Anatarctic especially matches up quite well with Rolex’s 36mm Explorer in terms of both its visual design and historical significance is more robust (it has 100m water resistance) much higher quality (it’s a luxury watch) and has a far superior movement and bracelet Want to send watch collectors into a frenzy? Just mention these three words: Daytona Paul Newman. A nickname for a specific style of Rolex Daytona from the 1960s worn by the late actor decades ago the Daytona “Paul Newman” has set numerous records at auction and is partly responsible for creating the insanely hot vintage watch market of the past several years For the vast majority of us, owning a Daytona Paul Newman is a pipe dream. The watches are quite rare and incredibly valuable; examples have previously sold at auction for several million dollars (including Newman’s own watch, which nabbed a then-record $17.8 million) and even the most affordable examples on the market cost well into six-figure territory If you love the unique look of the Daytona Paul Newman but don’t have the funds to go ham on the vintage Rolex market, there are far more affordable alternatives The best examples come from Swiss brand Nivada Grenchen, as their Paul Newman-esque chronographs aren’t mere Rolex copies — they’re actually based on vintage watches from the brand’s own mid-century history And they’re about to drop another one let’s go over a little bit of history as it relates to the Rolex Daytona Paul Newman The nickname refers to a number of vintage Daytona references — 6239 6264 and 6265 — produced between the mid-1960s and early 1970s But not all Daytonas with those reference numbers are Paul Newman Daytonas Daytona Paul Newman watches have a unique dial style that is missing from other Daytonas with the dial’s most prominent feature being the bold art deco-style font and square-tipped lollipop markers used on the chronograph registers It’s this avant-garde look that makes a Paul Newman special but Rolex was not the only brand to use such dials Rolex referred to its Paul Newman dials as “exotic” dials and they were produced by a third-party supplier called Singer Singer made these exotic chronograph dials for many other brands other than Rolex Nivada churned out several exotic-dial chronographs as contemporaries of Rolex’s Daytona Paul Newman The brand has reissued some of these over the past few years another obscure Singer-dial reference from Nivada’s past is getting a second chance at life Nivada Grenchen is one of several Swiss mechanical watch brands that went defunct during the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s and ’80s to be reborn in recent years has found tremendous success in faithfully recreating vintage models from its 20th-century heyday featured a Singer “Paul Newman” dial in a unique asymmetrical two-register layout along with a rotating dive-time bezel and a tapered integrated bracelet Just 20 prototypes of the original watch are believed to have been made It’s taken Laidet and his team two years to faithfully recreate the modern version But now it’s finally here … and it’s spectacular the new Chronosport is visually identical to its ancestor The watch features the same black dial with an inner tachymeter bezel and khaki-colored Paul Newman-style sub-dials at 12 and 9 o’clock for tracking elapsed minutes and running seconds The watch carries over the original’s fully aluminum rotating bezel in black the 200m depth rating — which is still thankfully labeled in red on the dial — and the period-correct stainless steel 38mm case now has a flat three-link design in place of the original’s broad single-link style (Nivada also offers 10 different strap options) The watch’s box-style crystal has also been upgraded from acrylic on the original to sapphire on the new release The vintage Nivada uses a hand-winding Valjoux 7765 while the modern reissue utilizes the automatic version of that same calibre This offers more convenience than the hand-wound version but the drawback is its thickness — the new Chronosport measures a beefy 15.7mm thick The new Chronosport is priced at $2,180 and is available with either white or fauxtina-colored lume A pre-sale period for the watch will open on Nivada’s website on July 25 at 10 am EDT and is scheduled to last for four weeks but I’ll be very surprised if stock doesn’t sell out before then The watches are then expected to ship in October Nivada Grenchen has unveiled a new Chronoking Mecaquartz timepiece starring a salmon-colored sunburst dial the watch arrives in a 38mm case that’s crafted from stainless steel in satin and polished finishes Our promise towards a carbon-neutral future EconiQ Consulting supports customers addressing their unique environmental performance needs Meet IdentiQ™ digital twin for sustainable Service is our commitment to the world’s largest existing installed base and the future of the energy system Accelerating a clean energy transition with a range of solutions for solar Discover the people and technologies behind the multiple pathways towards a carbon-neutral future Advancing a sustainable energy future for all we are co-creating global and local solutions to benefit society Get in-depth insights on topics and trends in the energy sector from industry thought leaders in this animation series about the world of electricity and sustainable energy Diversity and inclusion are the core of our success SWG Grenchen was developing their "Smart Metering Grenchen" project to bring smart meters for power With the ability to collect metering data remotely they expected to improve operational efficiencies improve billing accuracies and improve overall service to customers A key building block for the smart metering project is a communications network which requires a reliable high capacity network providing bidirectional communications end-to-end between meters and the utility core network When the smart metering project was initiated SWG Grenchen already had extended fiber connectivity to 20% of their substations with plans over the next few years to connect their remaining substations with fiber they wanted to rollout smart meters before fiber would be installed to the remaining 80% of substations so they needed interim reliable and high capacity broadband communications between the remaining substations to connect them to the existing fiber network Hitachi Energy Wireless offers a full range of wireless communications solutions and the TropOS IP broadband mesh routers provided SWG Grenchen an ideal solution that delivers high performance and reliability in addition to cost effective and timely rollout designed from the ground up to optimize throughput the routers are self-organizing and automatically reroute around failures offering system level resiliency and reliability The routers support multiple frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and support failover between them helping ensure localized interference on any one frequency band TropOS incorporates open standards-based security including AES encryption a comprehensive network management system that provides full FCAPS (Fault Performance and Security) features as well as comprehensive visibility for ensuring wireless network operations The SWG Grenchen substations without fiber connections have been equipped with TropOS routers and use 2.4 GHz The routers form a mesh that enables each node to communicate with multiple nodes for increased system reliability SWG Grenchen plans to leverage their investment in TropOS routers for additional smart grid applications over time Some of these applications are distribution automation video surveillance and remote management and control of field equipment mobile utility workers can securely use the network in the field improving their efficiencies and accessibility to information The Hitachi Energy Wireless solution met the communications requirements of the initial smart metering project and beyond for SWG Grenchen They were able to quickly deploy a high capacity wireless broadband network that could easily integrate with the existing fiber infrastructure - without the time and expense of trenching The existing network was quickly extended and the utility was able to begin realizing the operational benefits of smart meters and begin planning rollout of additional smart grid applications utilizing the same communications foundation built on Hitachi Energy Wireless More than 800 smart meter values are collected by the data concentrators and transmitted every 15 minutes over the TropOS network From the beginning of the project, Hitachi Energy Wireless worked and planned closely with SWG Grenchen’s IT department This was one of the key factors that assured the successful TropOS deployment Once the end-to-end communications network was functional the various systems including smart meters firewall and virtual servers could were seamlessly integrated into the utility’s network "The TropOS mesh network is a powerful alternative to fiber and provides economical field area network for our smart grid foundation," said Ronny Leuenberger Contact your local service and sales support team to discuss your requirements further Submit your inquiry and we will contact you ShareSaveCommentLifestyleWatches & JewelryAce Jewelers And Nivada Grenchen Unveil Exclusive F77 Amsterdam EditionByBhanu Chopra Freelance watch journalist and former Revolution USA's editor-in-chiefFollow AuthorJul 18 06:00am EDTShareSaveCommentAce Jewelers x Nivada Grenchen F77 Amsterdam Edition Ace Jewelers and Nivada Grenchen have joined forces once again to introduce their third watch – the F77 Amsterdam limited edition The story behind the rebirth of the F77 is a tale of serendipity and passion a vintage watch collector shared a photograph of a rare Nivada Grenchen model on Instagram – an F77 with a captivating black basket weave dial This fortuitous discovery caught the eye of Guillaume Laidet who was instantly enamored by the watch's unique aesthetic Guillaume promptly acquired the watch from the collector and after gauging the overwhelmingly positive response from his Instagram community he made the decision to reissue the F77 as a top priority in his product plan for 2023 the reborn F77 has swiftly become a firm favorite within the Nivada line-up captivating watch enthusiasts and collectors alike with its distinctive design and rich heritage F77 model is an integrated bracelet sports watch that draws inspiration from the 1970s era The F77 Amsterdam is a captivating fusion of Nivada Grenchen's watchmaking prowess and Ace Jewelers' discerning eye for design Building upon the foundation laid by the original F77 model – an affordably priced well-equipped sports watch that draws inspiration from the iconic 1970s era and features an integrated bracelet – this collaborative effort has resulted in a timepiece that exudes a unique aesthetic and a truly distinctive character 37mm brushed and polished stainless steel 3-part case Laidet expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration "Partnering with Ace Jewelers allows us to explore new creative horizons while staying true to our heritage The F77 Amsterdam edition is a testament to our craftsmanship and dedication to delivering exceptional timepieces that resonate with collectors and watch enthusiasts alike." Matte black dial that exudes a minimalist and streamlined aesthetic At the heart of the F77 Amsterdam's allure lies its striking dial Departing from the basket weave pattern found on the regular edition this limited-edition variant boasts a sleek matte black dial that exudes a minimalist and streamlined aesthetic This subtle yet significant alteration lends the watch a more instrumental and industrial look emphasizing the bold lines and contours of the case design Massive case back with and integrated steel bracelet In a nod to Ace Jewelers' deep-rooted connection to Amsterdam the dial features a trio of applied red X's below the Nivada logo This distinctive detail is a direct reference to the iconic Amsterdam city shield seamlessly integrating the watch's design with the city's rich heritage the seconds hand is rendered in a matching vibrant red hue providing a sharp contrast against the matte black dial and enhancing readability at a glance The dial features a trio of applied red X's below the Nivada logo that reference the iconic .. Alon Ben Joseph of Ace Jewelers expressed his pride in the collaborative effort "After two successful limited editions based on the Super Antarctic we wanted to branch out to another favorite in the Nivada line-up – the F77 the matte black dial of our Amsterdam edition gives the watch a more instrumental look which emphasizes the industrial lines of the case We're also proud to represent the city we call home with the three red X's a recurring theme in our Amsterdam series of watches." Ace Jewelers x Nivada Grenchen F77 Amsterdam Edition F77 Amsterdam is powered by Soprod P024 movement The watch features an integrated 3-link brushed steel bracelet designed for both durability and aesthetic appeal The bracelet is secured with a folding clasp providing a seamless and secure fit on the wrist The retail price is Euro 1,270 and limited to 50 pieces This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Professional Watches Nivada Grenchen continues to focus on affordable watches despite so much of the Swiss watch industry moving price points upmarket in recent years The new Chronoking Mecaquartz Salmon is not a mechanical watch it has a VK63 meca-quartz hybrid movement (made by Seiko) This means timekeeping is controlled by a quartz movement whereas the chronograph is actuated and controlled by a traditional mechanical chronograph module — both are powered by a battery This configuration costs less to make and service than a traditional mechanical movement Giving the Chronoking a conservatively sized 38 mm x 12.95 mm (46.5 mm lug-to-lug) 316L stainless steel case that’s got 100 meters of water resistance — with a domed sapphire crystal and lugs that look like they came from the same group’s Excelsior Park brand — the watch looks good and offers a great alternative to Seiko or Hamilton watches around the same price points the stamped logo on the dial at 12 o’clock does not have the same premium appearance as a logo on a more expensive mechanical Nivada Grenchen timepiece but again they’re hitting an accessible price point and that’s appealing in today’s market that’s flooded with overpriced timepieces you have a broad variety of strap and bracelet choices The retail price varies between $479 and $679 and you can pre-order now with deliveries beginning in September Learn more at Nivada Grenchen Jason is a writer and photographer who founded Professional Watches to share his passion for watches The Irish national team – comprised of junior U23 and elite riders – was in action at the Grenchen Track Cycling Challenge in Switzerland with juniors Luca Holmes and Max Fitzgerald coming away with the best results of the group who first represented at the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Dublin earlier this month having ridden for Great Britain as a junior but now having switched allegiance to Ireland was racing in the green of Ireland for the first time some two years after declaring for Ireland The full results for the Irish in action on Friday and Saturday are as follows: We’re determined to make stickybottle.com much better for your enjoyment So become a ‘Stickybottle Supporter’ now from just €5 per month We’ve grown our audience significantly in recent years but the advertising market has become harder and harder each year In order to survive and grow – and create much better content – we need to develop an income from our readers By signing up to become a ‘Stickybottle Supporter’ you’ll be helping to secure independent coverage of Irish cycling for years to come Every cent collected from readers will be used to directly fund content Sign Up Nivada Grenchen has unveiled a new bronze-cased version of its game-changing Depthmaster diving watch The new watch is the latest addition to the growing range of watches that pay tribute to a number of classic lines released by the brand in the 20th century Nivada Grenchen made a name for making high quality watches at affordable prices became very popular and are still sought after today really hit new depths with its 1000-metre water resistance coming not long after other brands had been showing off about being able to brave a tenth of that depth Nivada Grenchen but with such an impressive back catalogue and a strong enthusiast following business partners Guillaume Laidet and Remi Chabrat relaunched the brand and have focused on staying as faithful as possible to the watches that have kept collectors interested while at the same time bringing pieces that meet modern technical expectations They have since built an impressive range of watches that offer mechanical – and mecaquartz – movements at very reasonable prices the range is up to date with the use of materials like titanium cases and stone dials The new Depthmaster has a 39mm case made from bronze with aluminium alloy with a steel case back and a ceramic bezel it is water-resistant to a more-than-adequate 1000m The automatic movement has a 38-hour power reserve It has a matte black dial and comes with a wide range of interchangeable strap option Watches in the 2020s often look like they’re straight out of the 1960s or ’70s and at the forefront of that retro obsession is a 38-year-old Frenchman named Guillaume Laidet He’s not just resurrecting forgotten watches but entire brands — and with great success almost exactly like they did back in the day then I made a few million online and with retail And it was all with affordable watches priced from 150 to … 500 euros “Without wearing this vintage chrono I wouldn’t have had the idea to launch my first brand and I wouldn’t be here right now.” and I had an ambition to relaunch a few brands: Nivada Grenchen The Montrichard Group in Hong Kong had been producing my watches that I met the owner of Nivada and I was able to acquire the rights I bought Excelsior Park from the Tourneau Group but Universal Geneve is owned by City Chain We were in contact with a lawyer in Geneva who represented the brand There were no jobs available on the LVMH website for Hennessy or other wine and spirits There was an Omega Constellation that I was always borrowing from my father and that was the first beautiful mechanical watch I dreamed of owning he finally offered it to me for my business school graduation He gave it to me … but in fact I already had it The other one was a vintage chronograph from the ’50s that I inherited from my great-granduncle [when he was] moving without a band and needed a full restoration; I had it restored in La Chaux-de-Fonds I would wear this watch and a lot of my friends would ask me where to buy it but it was too expensive for a young student from this watch: that was the vintage chrono that inspired me to create William L and I wouldn’t be here right now speaking to you about Nivada and Vulcain I took a marketing position at Zenith; it was with Jean-Frédéric Dufour He was relaunching Zenith after [some] very complicated years and I learned about how to relaunch a brand with heritage because he relaunched the El Primero Chronograph 1969 and the Elite collection And it was always based on a very interesting book about Zenith’s history with all the best chronographs And that’s a bit like what I did with the Chronomaster Only book and reviving Nivada There needs to be something I like in the collection the rights to the brand also have to be affordable not owned by a big group — because if they’re owned by a big group they’ll sell for big money You also have to check if there’s enough traction — if there are enough vintage pieces, for example, on Chrono24.com at a good price That’s a big thing to know: whether there’s a secondary market that means the brand has no traction and no serious fan base or collector base the brand’s hashtags on social media and if you have enough people already posting about the watch you can see the level of the community’s engagement And you can check on Google Trends if there is some traction you can see if there’s enough potential or not to relaunch it I prefer to be true to the original and to make re-editions as close as possible to the vintage ones because I think something like the vintage Chronomaster is perfect You don’t have to reinvent the wheel and make a big That’s what I don’t want to do. I don’t want to do it like TAG Heuer does I think for me it’s: stay true to the size and thickness I try to always make [the watch] the most authentic I can — to be slim to have the right crown … so my engineering team hates me I would say Max Busser. It’s insane what he’s doing with [his brand] MB&F What’s crazy is that he was a product manager at Jaeger-LeCoultre and then he was at Harry Winston very early This guy is very inspiring for what he’s done and what he’s still doing I was also impressed by Jerome Lambert when he was CEO of Jaeger[-LeCoultre] I think he’s probably one of the most clever minds I’ve met and my goal for this year would be to open more points of sale “I prefer to be true to the original I’m working with a French watchmaker, Théo Auffret He’s making five to 10 handmade tourbillon watches per year but he also has crazy ideas to make more affordable watches So we use a Soprod P024 movement with a jumping hour module made by Théo Auffret titanium or carbon; they’ll be assembled in France Unless the Universal Geneve guy comes knocking but it seems that’s not going to happen for a few years Nivada Grenchen has brought out a new chronograph inspired by a very rare model from the 1970s The Chronosport 38mm has an unusual asymmetrical chronograph layout It also has an aluminium uni-directional rotating bezel The original Nivada brand was founded in 1926 in the Swiss town of Grenchen It was revived in 2018 by French entrepreneur Guillaume Laidet brought the brand back with a view to making accessible pieces that pay homage to Grenchen’s heritage The Chronosport was a prototype produced in very small numbers – thought to be around 20 pieces – in the 1970s Mr Laidet found an old Chronosport on an auction site and posted a picture on Instragram The social media post went viral and the decision was made to use that watch as inspiration for a new piece The modern watch has chrono dials in light brown – or taupe with a hint of khaki as Nivada calls is – contrasted with a black dial The blackened aluminium bezel has a tachymeter scale giving added racing feel and a useful addition if you want to time speed over a measured distance the well-known 25-jewel chronograph movement contributing to a very decent 200m of water resistance.  The 10 different strap options include a three-link stainless steel bracelet as well as various leather and fabric bands For the first month pieces will be numbered after that the un-numbered watch will join Nivada’s permanent collection The Nivada Grenchen Chronosport 38mm costs £1725/$2180/2035euros nivadagrenchenofficial.com What distinguishes this Ace Jewelers Polar edition is its matte white dial adorned with silver-coloured applied indices while baton indices occupy the remaining positions A classic minute track runs the dial’s edge and era-accurate silver sword and lollipop hands indicate the hours and minutes pays tribute to Ace Jeweler’s Dutch national colour and it is the colour frequently used by polar explorers for visibility against icy landscapes hands and indices are treated with luminescence Driving the Nivada Grenchen Super Antarctic Polar is the reliable automatic Soprod P024 calibre This movement shares qualities with the ETA 2824-2 and is frequently employed across Nivada’s current models the Soprod P024 ensures a power reserve of 38 hours Presented with a beads-of-rice stainless steel bracelet the Super Antarctic Polar also includes a complimentary orange NATO textile strap as part of the purchase This new Nivada timepiece once again encapsulates the essence of adventure and discovery offering a vintage feel akin to a classic timepiece drawing inspiration from mid-century exploration watches Bearing a notable resemblance to an iconic watch of that era – the elusive Rolex Explorer with a white dial – only enhances its appeal testifying to refined taste and marketing skill This Super Antarctic Polar limited edition of 50 pieces is exclusively available at the Ace & Dik boutique in Amsterdam and on acejewelers.com priced at EUR 1,155 (including 21% VAT) within the EU and EUR 955 (excluding VAT) outside the EU A very handsome watch and the matte white dial suits the namesake of the watch The silver rimmed indices reduce dial readability a bit though really nice and I like the gold medallion back too but it’s the penguin or nothing for me A one-for-one reissue of a vintage favorite slims the Antarctic down to original proportions We got our hands on both to pick a favorite Old and new watches have decidedly different appeal and which one you should buy depends on which exact strain of the watch bug has afflicted you But when Nivada Grenchen offered the opportunity to see its new 35mm Antarctic alongside a vintage example of the original Antarctic it felt like a chance to examine the age-old question: vintage or modern That previous version was trying too hard to be a modern watch ended up looking like so many other watches already on the market Nivada has stripped back the pretense and made what's essentially a one-for-one reissue of the original Antarctic Some of this is also thanks to the caliber inside a simple manual movement with 36-hour power reserve it's less practical than an automatic movement but the choice is in service of the feel on wrist completely practical field watch can apply elsewhere (maybe try the Apple Store?) The Nivada Antarctic is a reissue that sacrifices function for faithfulness and it's unashamed in doing so – I appreciate the self-awareness Nivada is offering the Antarctic 35mm a variety of dial options: white Nivada sent me the white version with beige lume ("fauxtina," if you must) complemented by the faceted arrowhead markers that reflect light in every direction Even the lume plots are inspired by the original: slightly angled lines instead of typical dots Smile and wave boys, smile and wave.  The vintage and modern versions have equally slim profiles.  I probably would've preferred the eggshell dial with the fauxtina lume or perhaps the white dial with matching white lume The beige lume feels a bit mismatched against the stark white dial And while I love the idea of a snow-white dial on a watch called the Antarctic to me the eggshell best captures the watch's vintage aspirations the price feels reasonable for what you get in comparison to the competition The Khaki Field Mechanical ($595) seems to be the most natural comparison on specs but the Antarctic feels different enough from the traditional field watch The new Antarctic 35mm takes inspiration from a 1950s Nivada Grenchen of the same name called "Operation Deep Freeze." Admiral Richard Byrd oversaw the operations – on his wrist was a Nivada Grenchen (Croton) Antarctic You can see the exact same watch in period advertising like this one: The vintage Antarctic wears incredibly similar to the modern example The crown is slightly more workable on the modern version especially important because the vintage Antarctic had an automatic movement so it didn't need winding as frequently While the new Antarctic's stark-white dial has a certain appeal in its simplicity the dial on this vintage example oozes charm I get that this can cut both ways: you're wearing someone's story on your wrist new watch on which you can imprint your memories there's also the constant worry as to whether you can or should actually wear your vintage watch while doing certain things Nivada Grenchen's Guillaume Laidet told me you can find a vintage Antarctic for about €600 to €1,000 The distinction between "vintage" and "modern" collectors feels more obsolete than ever. I'm increasingly unsure what the definition of "true" vintage even is (or who gets to decide), and with the rising interest in "neo-vintage" watches Since Guillaume Laidet relaunched Nivada Grenchen in 2020 it's released a lot of new models and limited editions drawing on the brand's heritage It's the same thing he's done with other "zombie" brands such as Excelsior Park and Vulcain The releases that catch my attention are often those that hue closest to the original It's fun to see someone draw on a brand's history so directly and without apology Honestly, if I were to buy a modern field-style watch in this price range, I'd probably spend my own money on something like Studio Underd0g's Field Collection because of its playful and unique take on the form But those are the criteria I look for in modern watches Others might instead want a faithful reissue of a beloved vintage model It's almost not even fair to compare the two because there's more than enough room for both – and a whole lot more The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic 35mm is open for pre-order on Nivada's website until December 23 The 316L steel case measures 35mm x 10mm (42mm lug-to-lug) with 18mm lug width (strap tapers to 16mm) The Antarctic 35mm is powered by the Landeron 21 a manual-wind movement beating at 4 Hz with 36-hour power reserve It's delivered on a textured leather strap Seven Irish riders will travel to Grenchen in Switzerland this weekend for the Grenchen International Track Meet at the Tissot Velodrome.  The team of two female and five male athletes will be made up of young riders some having represented Ireland previously Having recently made her debut in green at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup round in Dublin Esther Wong will be donning the Irish jersey for the second time as she takes part in the Omnium as well as the Elimination and Points races No stranger to representing Ireland is Aoife O’Brien with double digit national championships across several disciplines recently represented Ireland at the UCI Road World Championships and has had a strong year racing on the continent She’ll be hoping to finish her year on a high note in the Omnium and Scratch races in Grenchen Killarney native Stefan Caulfield-Dreier will once again represent Ireland having done so on the road and track for several years Former Scottish National Champion Matti Dobbins will make his Irish debut Having taken several wins on the track previously including at the Dublin Track International in 2022 Dobbins will look to bring his experience to the young squad in Grenchen Maximilian Fitzgerald will pull on the green jersey again having already ridden for Ireland at the Nations Cup Hungary and taken the win on Stage 5 of the Junior Tour of Ireland The Jegg Racing Academy rider will look to bring his talents to the track in the Omnium Luca Holmes comes in to represent Ireland once again having made his international debut at the Ghent International Track Meet in June Holmes then represented Ireland again at the Junior European Track Championships in Germany in July where he grabbed himself a 13th place finish in the Points race This trip to Grenchen will see him compete in the Omnium Philip O’Connor will also ride for Ireland in Grenchen having already ridden in green at the Junior European Championships earlier this year The 2023 European Youth Olympic festival competitor took three National Track Championships in one day in 2023 National Track Cycling Coach Dan Henchy said “We are happy to see a number of riders with the opportunity to race and build on their track racing experience this week in Grenchen.  It’s a really well run event with a competitive field which offers our riders an ideal level of competition exposure where they can hone their fitness and racecraft and compete against riders from across Europe in a UCI ranked race Events like this are instrumental in helping develop our young riders and enabling them test themselves in a well supported environment We are looking forward to some exciting racing as we build towards the 2025 Season You can get a taste of chocolate-y goodness without the worry that sometimes comes with vintage watches and at a price that's tough to beat unvarying life doesn't need a Nivada Chronomaster." Nivada Grenchen chose one of the most eloquent ways you could call someone boring with their first advertisements of what would become one of their most iconic watches. Back in 2020 the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver (CASD for short) was one of the brand's core pieces as the brand re-launched itself in the modern landscape while reaching back into a deep archive of great watches that were eventual victims of the quartz crisis There's been a number of variations of Nivada chronograph reissues since then – Chronoking Big-Eye – all recognizable to fans of the vintage brand But the standout among them – in mind – has been the manually-wound "Tropical Broad Arrow" launched all the way back in February of last year unvarying life" doesn't need a brand-new Chronomaster that looks like a vintage watch roasted in the tropical sun for decades and launch this watch into a sea of enthusiasts that are quick to decry "fauxtina." Let's be honest that's what this Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver is – a fauxtina watch – and while I'm sure there will be a ton of people that disagree This specific vintage Croton Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver published in the book "Chronomaster Only" inspired the re-issue Putting aside the tropical dial for a moment, this particular Nivada Grenchen re-issue is a pretty faithful reproduction of a very specific variant of CASD from the early 1960s known as the "Brian Kelly" model Kelly was an actor who rose to fame partly due to his role in the 1963 film Flipper and his watch was the first of the CASDs Now I've used the term "tropical" a number of times so far, and while I'd say most readers are probably familiar, it's worth a quick refresher for the uninitiated. To ensure that my understanding of the topic is buttoned up, I turned to my good friend and watch dealer Jacek Kozubek who runs the appropriately-named business Tropical Watch If you've seen an incredibly cool and unusual-looking Rolex in the last few years It took quite a while for the issue to come to life the problem started occurring more quickly in tropical latitudes with exposure to intense UV light Rolex dials from the early to mid 1960's change the most," Kozubek told me "Gilt dials have the tendency to fade more than others Rolex Submariners from 1962 with the two-line silver dial seem to really fade ultra brown But there are a lot of watches that can turn brown 1969 Red Submariner Mark II dials tend to fade tropical and the ref 16520 Daytonas from around 1998 to 1999 are starting to turn brown now too." A 1960 Rolex "Pointed Crown Guards" Submariner ref. 5512 with gilt chapter ring sold by Tropical Watch 1962 Rolex 5512 with an extremely tropical dial sold by Tropical Watch do tropical dials each come out wildly different That's a big part of what makes them so compelling A lot of these dials were replaced by service departments over the years But as collectors started to understand the value of unique watches with honest character the prices have skyrocketed for what was once considered a defect There is a little bit of "buyer beware" on tropical dials I've heard stories of baked dials aimed at a tropical effect and bezels can be artificially aged to a nice "ghosted" quality it would be easy for him to see the difference "These materials have a tendency to degrade over time but if you push it too fast it would destroy the dial." And that's why you always "buy the seller" – especially one can tell (and find) the real deal a vintage "tropical" watch is not one of those watches I'd wear haphazardly Call it my distinctly "un-placid and varied life," more accurately I'm someone best described most days as a "six-foot-seven uncoordinated mass of limbs." Because of that my watches pick up a lot of mystery scratches and dings While I'm much more careful with my vintage watches – and incredibly incredibly precious with anyone else's watch – there's something reassuring about a watch you don't have to baby A 1965 Rolex Submariner ref. 5512 with a gilt Tiffany & Co.-signed dial sold by Tropical Watch. Kozubek sold the Tiffany-signed Rolex Submariner above for a whopping $90,000 (I'm not ashamed to say that sounds like a steal the more I look at the watch) and while this Nivada Grenchen is distinctly not a real-deal vintage tropical watch at $1795 it certainly gave me a lot of enjoyment it's hard to beat the taste of the tropical while not worrying about having to be too gentle with a vintage watch That's where the real value is – this is a new watch with all the bells and water resistance to really enjoy to the fullest let's talk about the dial (and the handset while we're at it) Remember how I talked about the stories of some vintage tropical dials being "baked" instead of "earned" the old-fashioned way Nivada Grenchen has developed a special process to bake dials and handsets in batches to achieve the aged look below That also means that each dial is unique depending on how the parts react to the process That unique quality is even more apparent under natural light where the color of the dial can shift from a dark chocolate in shadow to something much more rich and orange Between that and the unique nature of tropical dials there's a lot of similarity between the new and the vintage the lume on the dial and hands – and the hands themselves – is "crunchy," to put it mildly Most brands have settled on a "fauxtina" that's a little too perfect and a little too consistent across the board the patina on this is kind of unattractive" but it only took a short while to appreciate how much closer it is to true vintage character than something too perfect the watch has most of the hallmarks of what made the original CASD so great and (maybe a little unnecessarily) versatile and hour markers on the bezel so you can also use it as a second time zone indicator the watch only has 100m of water resistance (despite being a chronograph) but the fact that it is new and rate to that amount means I actually wouldn't feel bad (or worry) about taking it in the water you still get the red regatta timer countdown at the three o'clock subdial The double-domed sapphire makes the watch a bit thick in measurement at 13.75mm the watch wears like a vintage watch should This version of the CASD also says "Chronograph Aviator Sea Diver" on the dial at 6:00 The "Brian Kelly" vintage model had the same text on the dial changed to say "Chronomaster" on later versions of the watch The drilled lugs are a nice touch, though I have to credit Nivada and all the other brands that include straps with quick-change spring bars as standard options. I got the model with a leather strap and immediately swapped it to a rubber tropic option I had on hand from my other recent review of Nivada's new skin diver Inside the watch isn't a Venus or Valjoux movement that you'd find in the vintage models (though last year Worn & Wound did an awesome piece with Nivada Grenchen that featured refurbished Valjoux 72 movements) but rather the workhorse Sellita SW510 M BH B not bi-compax as has become the norm to refer to the two subdials because originally that term referred to the number of complications not subdials and I'm sticking with the original definition The movement runs at 4Hz and while the specs aren't listed on the website it seems like power reserve is around 48 hours on the manually-wound movement And I think the manually-wound CASD is really the way to go You get a watch that wears like a vintage watch on the wrist and pushers that give you the same sensation of a vintage watch The lume on the CASD works well despite whatever aging it went through In fact, one of the few downsides of getting a new CASD with a tropical dial is that the rest of the watch is so new. I'm reminded of the folks at Pre-War Guitar Co. who make faithful 1:1 reproductions of vintage guitars (largely from Martin) from the golden era of acoustic guitar making with varying levels of wear people were incredulous at these beat-up guitars with cracked finishes and cost more than a new Martin Then people played them and realized it wasn't just visual mojo – the guitars played nearly as good as vintage ones that cost nearly 20x the price I'm not saying there'd be a massive market for Nivada to make CASDs that looked like they were dragged behind a truck for a mile I also know that earned wear and tear will always be better than something fake All I'll say is I would be curious to see what it looked like So don't be surprised if you see this watch after I've left leaving the aluminum bezel insert on my roof for a few months to try to get a bit of ghosting going on I also won't be upset when I start getting scuffs and scratches on that shiny brushed and polished 316L stainless steel case There are certainly also a few people that are rightfully saying "Why not buy the real (vintage) thing?" I always wanted a vintage CASD and I still think they're a great entry point into vintage collecting But starting around $3500 and going up to $7000 or more for a rare or tropical dial I'll they always seemed as out of reach as a Patek chronograph when I began as a collector As I've learned more and handled more watches I've always invariably ended up with something else in that price range that was slightly more compelling or decided it was worth saving up for something even bigger I'd still have to wear it carefully out of respect I've often bought newer versions of some of my vintage favorites just for ease of use and reliability I'm sticking with something new that gives me a taste of the old at a price that's even more affordable and hard to beat So I'm going to make sure this watch doesn't live a "placid And I'm really interested to see how it comes out on the other side Nivada Grenchen "Broad Arrow Tropical Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver" mechanical manually-wound chronograph 38mm diameter x 13.75mm high polished and brushed 316L stainless steel case with 46.5mm lug-to-lug Unique "tropical" brown dial and handset achieved through a special baking process Chrongraph with 30-minute totalizer (and regatta timing indicator) at 3:00 with measurements tapering from 20mm to 18mm Price: starting at $1,795 on a leather strap The Hodinkee Shop is an authorized retailer of Nivada Grenchen watches. Explore our collection here. For more on the Tropical Broad Arrow CASD, visit Nivada Grenchen's website Cult favorite watches at back-to-basics prices As every watch enthusiast learns when they are but a wee watch enthusiast there are two kinds of watches: quartz and "real" watches The next piece of indoctrination is to the legendarium of the Quartz Crisis which takes on in the minds of watch enthusiasts something of the same importance that the Battle of the Pelennor Fields does for fans of The Lord Of The Rings – unquestionable good pitted against utter evil a dark outcome guaranteed for the good guys and victory unlooked-for at the last minute when an ally despaired of appears in the nick of time (and by ally despaired of there are always many sad losses to make victory bittersweet and so it was with the Quartz Crisis and subsequent Mechanical Renaissance Many worthy and historically interesting companies simply ceased to exist or live on now only as vassal states (sometimes without even their proud original names preserved) of larger international empires was a reliable if not internationally renowned part of the pre-Quartz watch scene The company is better known under the name Nivada Grenchen in the USA or under the name Croton – there was apparently a kerfuffle with the Movado watch company in the 1960s over a perceived (by Movado) similarity in names and the claim was made by Movado that this might lead to consumer confusion over which company was which Whether the suit had any merit or not (as far as I can see any consumer who confuses one firm for another because each has three syllables to its name which starts with a consonant and ends with a vowel with watches from the firm also sometimes using the name of the distribution company formed for the brand in the USA: Croton Vintage Nivada Chronomaster advertisement; source, Europastar The upheavals in the industry made Nivada under any name a thing of (mostly) the past it has gone on to have something of a second life as an enthusiast-favorite collectible vintage brand It also has the added attraction that prices for Nivada watches have not gone as absolutely bananas as they have for a lot of others albeit one which looks squarely at the glorious past for design inspiration we have all seen examples of vintage brands whose re-invention was attempted with designs and at prices that made no sense in terms of the history of the company and it is probably a lot smarter to build a humble house on a firm foundation than try to erect a palace on a sand-bar Vintage Nivada Antarctic advertisement; source, Europastar The genius loci in Switzerland for the brand is none other than Guillaume Laidet, whom we last encountered here at HODINKEE as the founder of the eponymous brand William L. 1985, and most recently back in 2018 when he launched a couple of very attractive automatic chronographs with Seiko movements. In partnership with Remi Chabrat the owner of a private label Swiss watch firm known as the Montrichard Group plans were made to re-launch Nivada with watches based on two vintage models These are the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver which can be had in either a hand-wound or automatic model which was originally developed in conjunction with the International Geophysical Year (the same "year of exploration" for which the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic was made) in 1958 The original Antarctic watch went to the South Pole as part of the U.S which marked the beginning of the establishment of a permanent human presence in Antarctica (as well as the beginning of an ad campaign from Nivada touting its presence on the expeditions) The Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver was and is something of a watch that tries to be all things to all people but succeeds at it perhaps better than most For something that tried (and tries) to cram all the bells and whistles of a classic two-register chronograph into a watch along with a 100-meter depth rating (the only thing that keeps it from fulfilling the technical requirements for a dive watch is the bezel which is bidirectional) the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver manages to come across if not as an example of Bauhaus-esque self-restraint then at least as a technical timepiece which does its level best to deliver a lot of analog information in a coherent fashion we must recall that its design hails from a time when digital displays were in the future and being able to decipher an analog gauge at a glance was a necessary survival skill There is a 60-minute/12-hour rotating bezel and the red yacht-timer countdown segment on the chronograph minutes totalizer which was something of a visual signature for the original model The new Chronomaster Aviator Sea Divers come with a choice of either baton or dauphine handsets Water resistance for both the automatic and hand-wound models is 100 meters with a sapphire crystal and Super-LumiNova lume The primary difference between the two versions is thickness – while the manual version Prices are gratifyingly reasonable – they start at €1,600 for hand-wound versions on a strap and stretch to €2,000 for an automatic model on a bracelet (and I suspect for the harder core vintage-adjacent homage watch enthusiasts the hand-wound model on a strap will be the preferred flavor anyway) While the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver watches are about as faithful a copy-paste as you could expect the Antarctic watches are a bit larger in diameter than the original models from the 1950s at 38mm x 11.50mm but 34mm would be a harder sell these days than in the mid-1950s even for an explorer's watch – perhaps especially for an explorer's watch – would not necessarily have been considered an advantage in any respect the 2020 Antarctic is 38mm in diameter and 11.50mm thick is a more or less completely faithful adaptation of the original and the same very attractive pricing strategy No-date versions of the Antarctic on a strap begin at €650 and the most you'll be able to spend is for a model on a bracelet with a date guichet Unless you have some deep philosophical objection to any watch which uses modern movements in re-incarnations of vintage designs at very reasonable prices I think it is a bit of a struggle to find anything to fault with these watches They're designed and made by folks whom I think show every sign of knowing not just what the market wants but also what it is that makes good vintage watches appealing – and those two are not the same things There is no nonsense here about "updating a classic design for modern tastes," which all too often means "getting rid of just enough of what makes the watch attractive to enthusiasts to put them off but keeping just enough about it to keep it from being a satisfying modern watch and therefore pleasing no one in trying to be everything to everyone." Just a good looking new version of a vintage watch at a price that makes taking the plunge a very appealing proposition 38mm x 11.50mm and 45mm lug to lug; solid caseback with applied medallion with cool engraving which will make you feel like heroic explorer running at 28,800 vph in 26 jewels; stop seconds €650-850 depending on bracelet or strap options The Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver: cases 38mm x 14.25 or 16.25 for manual or automatic models respectively 39mm rotating 12 hour/60 minute bidirectional bezel; inner tachymetric scale SW510 BH B (automatic) or SW510 M BH B (manual) running at 28,800 vph €1600 to €2,000 depending on date guichet and strap options See both models at Nivadagrenchenofficial.com. Both will be available for pre-order in mid-July Vintage meets modern in this 10-piece limited run of orange Depthmasters that went on sale today Nivada Grenchen was once a brand lost to time, one that fell victim to changing winds in the mechanical watchmaking game. It would, however, pop up in areas of the collecting world like when we had Alton Brown on Talking Watches and he showed us his vintage Depthmaster which he rightly referred to as having a "Pac-Man dial." It became a vintage darling not to the same degree as Universal Geneve but more as an area of real fascination for a bygone era of watch design before the quartz crisis changed the industry's makeup Then came current brand CEO Guillaume Laidet who revived Nivada and imbued it with an intentional vintage-inspired bent This isn't the modern iteration of the Nivada Grenchen brand it has become a time capsule and perhaps the go-to example for how to re-create historically significant watch designs – 1:1 – and have fun along the way And it's this spirit that makes today's story all the more interesting Laidet unearthed 10 NOS (new old stock) Depthmaster dials from the brand's past radiant orange in color with tritium markers (including a T Swiss T demarcation at six o'clock) were essentially preserved though they have that certain vintage charm a bit of wear even if they were never technically worn So what does the CEO of a brand known for reproducing designs of the past do when he discovers actual unused dials from the past he sought to put them into production – to make 10 pieces seemingly ripped from said past What he did next was source 10 period-correct movements which fit the 3 o'clock date window format of the NOS dials So now he had a batch of tritium Depthmaster dials and a batch of movements he and the NG team had to produce the rest of the watch to make this a final product but it definitely takes some explanation when viewing the end result And that result is a modern-constructed 39mm Depthmaster case with a steel bezel plus a sapphire crystal giving way to that vintage dial below so the brand is utilizing modern hands with a cream-colored Super-Luminova to match the tritium of the markers while the tritium has likely faded to a point where it no longer glows those hands should be useful until the end of the time The Nivada Grenchen team has provided some great photography of this true vintage revival of sorts but I will have to reserve any meaningful judgment until I see this one And that is because I need to get a sense of how modern hands look against a modern dial how the Super-Luminova shines against dead tritium and how a pristine case and bracelet (plus a sapphire crystal) work in tandem with the whole presentation Plus we have a closed caseback to keep things properly vintage but it also feels like a new watch that is simultaneously manifesting what happens when you send a vintage watch in for servicing and everything goes wrong: You get your watch back with the original dial but they changed the hands which is why I will wait and see for myself One thing is for certain: Laidet knows how to maintain excitement and fun around his Nivada Grenchen It's one part "brand revived" and one part "microbrand" and that mix has allowed it to experiment more than other watch companies and it has allowed NG to communicate directly with its customers in a truly unique way you can outfit this watch with all manner of vintage-leaning straps and bracelets and I have to think that all 10 pieces are spoken for There is a regular production counterpart that goes on sale alongside this one The major differences are that it's a re-produced dial (sans date window) while the regular production model will run $995 Brand: Nivada GrenchenModel: DepthmasterReference Number: 14127A Diameter: 39mmCase Material: Stainless steelDial Color: OrangeIndexes: ArabicLume: Tritium on the dial Super-Luminova on the handsWater Resistance: 1,000mStrap/Bracelet: Collection of straps and bracelets from Nivada Grenchen Caliber: New Old Stock ETA 2472Functions: Hours datePower Reserve: 38 hoursWinding: AutomaticChronometer Certified: No Price: $2,890Availability: Immediately Limited Edition: Yes Hodinkee is an authorized retailer of Nivada Grenchen. For more on this release, visit the brand's website It has just revealed a new and enthralling timepiece Nivada founded by Jacob Schneider and partners in Grenchen faced a fate common among Swiss watch brands in the 1970s and fell victim to the aftermath of the collapse of the Bretton-Wood monetary system and the quartz crisis a stroke of luck awaited the brand when it was relaunched in 2020 by Guillaume Laidet who had previously sold his successful watch company 1985 (known for affordable quality watches inspired by vintage Swiss chronographs from the 1950s) Nivada, under new management, places great emphasis on customer feedback, particularly on Instagram, to ensure its products align with consumers’ desires. The re-edition of the unique Nivada Grenchen Antarctic watch was triggered by a picture posted by a fan on social media This led to the release of the remarkable Antarctic timepiece with a distinctive Spider dial design in 2021 Initially available in steel with a sunburst silver dial blue-toned dial versions were subsequently produced in collaboration with a retailer in Paris This new iteration is affectionately referred to as a “version far too beautiful to be limited” by the brand While the Nivada Salmon Spider Dial shares many characteristics and functionalities with its predecessors, the salmon-hued dial gives it a distinct character, perhaps due to the paradox of the calming effect of the colour and the excitement salmon dials framed in steel exude The Nivada Salmon Spider Dial is housed in a satin-brushed stainless steel case conservatively sized at 38mm in diameter and 11.5mm thick topped with a double-domed sapphire crystal The excellent vintage-looking curved salmon-coloured dial contrasts the case’s understated appearance the watch maintains a water-resistance of 100m and features a screw-down crown The watch’s throwback to the 1963 Antarctic Spider dial pattern is mesmerizing The date aperture’s cyclops magnifier acts as a time machine and the crosshairs printed at the centre of the dial extend to the edge forming the eight “spider legs” radiating from the centre With the addition of eight Super-LumiNova dots one can let their imagination wander and imagine these as the eyes of a spider as arachnids typically have eight legs and eight eyes Beneath the dial of the Nivada Antarctic watch lies the Soprod automatic calibre P024 This reliable Swiss movement powers the watch With the new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Salmon Spider you can choose from a wide range of straps or a beads-of-rice bracelet This attractive timepiece is very sensibly priced and is already available to buy from the brand’s website starting at USD 750 and topping out at USD 950 on the BoR bracelet For more information, please visit www.nivadagrenchenofficial.com Seems as if Nivada have finally upgraded their – period correct but slightly sub-par – friction fit clasp A welcome iteration of an already intriguing watch and unfortunately Nivada Grenchen cannot successfully ship to the US without the customer having to deal with a customs nightmare that they are unwilling to help with You will be required to fill out a multi-page customs form and disclose your SSN (US_-_CBP_Form_5106…uh no way!) The watch will ship from HK and get flagged when entering the US But instead of simply reissuing a vintage model they’ve decided to bring something slightly different and with no fewer than 5 editions to choose from Let’s talk about the Fratello × Nivada Racing Chronograph But the team at Fratello wanted something else just like any of the watches released by Fratello there’s the typical Dutch orange touch What is this Fratello × Nivada Racing Chronograph all about then it certainly has all the vintage vibe you’ll ever want The domed sapphire crystal is framed by a fixed polished steel bezel with a tachymeter scale – racing inspiration obliges – and a pair of pump pushers frame an oversized crown To keep the vintage vibe as strong as possible the case has been made as small as possible considering the need to encase a modern movement resulting in compact dimensions of 38mm in diameter and 44.3mm from lug tip to lug tip Only the 13.75mm height indicates the modern mechanics inside The tri-compax layout is applied on a strongly grained surface with a funky 1970s racing-style seconds track on the periphery… And the orange touches on the markers and the central seconds hand will only emphasize this feeling The Fratello × Nivada Racing Chronograph isn’t presented in one or two versions a reverse panda (black with white counters) And the fifth version is for those who want something bolder Power comes from the tried-and-tested hand-wound calibre SW510 M B – a manual version of the 7753 architecture produced by renowned movement maker Sellita this solid movement beats at 4Hz and boasts 63 hours of power reserve the watch is worn on a steel bracelet that not only looks vintage but wears as such – the suppleness of the multi-link bracelets… This bullet-style bracelet tapers down to 16mm and is closed by a folding clasp Fratello will offer 10 pieces of each dial variation (50 pieces in total) for pre-order exclusively from the Fratello Shop on Monday The pre-order window will close on March 26th at 12AM (midnight) Europe Time Each of the watches will have a special pre-order price of EUR 1,499 (excl All watches will ship in early June 2023 when an additional limited quantity of these watches will be available For more details, please visit www.fratellowatches.com and nivadagrenchenofficial.com Nivada Grenchen is bringing back the F77 its bestselling icon from the ’70s in a refreshing new build the timepiece is resurrected in grade 5 titanium making the reissues significantly lighter — weighing only 86 grams while its predecessor in steel weighed 126 grams the new F77 comeback presents four alluring dials: Meteorite The Meteorite is offered as a pre-order-only limited-edition featuring a dial metallic gray dial that’s crafted from real meteorite fragments the Anthracite features a basket-weave patterned dial that embodies the spirit of the original F77 the Aventurine emanates a mystical charm with its shimmering dial that’s doused in a deep blue the variant features its namesake gemstone in an intense blue tone that evokes splendor and fascinating mosaic-like details that derive from the earth A visually faithful re-edition of a vintage dive watch, the classic version of the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster – which we reviewed here – combines the charm of an old watch with the ease-of-use of a modern watch built with contemporary features and materials like sapphire crystal this is a perfect package for most  watch enthusiasts But what if you want something even more faithful as this Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster Orange Limited Edition comes with new old stock original-era dial and movement The Depthmaster was launched in 1965 as a powerful dive watch that could withstand a pressure of 100 ATM or 1,000 metres (quite impressive back then and a record for the industry until Rolex introduced its Sea-Dweller two years later) as part of its strategy to bring back vintage watches Nivada launched the new Depthmaster with a highly faithful design and specifications to match the original watch everything in this model was otherwise modern Super-LumiNova on the markers and hands and a Sellita SW 200-1 inside the case Nothing wrong with that; it allowed the watch to look cool be usable without having to think about it and But today’s launch is a bit more special While an orange dial (newly produced) is joining the regular collection a very small batch of watches with original vintage dials and historically relevant ETA movements will also be offered Named the Depthmaster Orange Limited Edition NOS (for New Old Stock) this version will be produced in 10 pieces only which is understandable knowing the difficulty of sourcing vintage parts in good condition there are not many changes compared to the classic it is barely larger than the original 1960s watch and remains fairly compact for a robust dive watch with a 1,000m water-resistance and helium valve (located at 9 o’clock) The dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal What matters in this Depthmaster Orange Limited Edition NOS is the dial… Recently in a stroke of luck akin to unearthing a hidden treasure came across a batch of 10 vintage Nivada Grenchen dials astonishingly pristine and untouched – and to make it even better we’re talking about glossy orange dials known as some of the most desirable vintage editions These still feature original tritium-coated hour markers and a nice touch for vintage watch enthusiasts the “T SWISS MADE T” signature at 6 o’clock are modern with cream-coloured Super-LumiNova Nivada meticulously sourced vintage new old stock ETA 2472 movements the same movement used in the original Depthmaster A movement produced from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s it beats at a slow 18,000 vibrations/hour (2.5Hz frequency) and delivers about 42h of power reserve A highly limited edition of 10 pieces, the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster Orange Limited Edition NOS is available with multiple straps and steel bracelets. It is available for order on the brand’s website today for USD 2,890 (a copy of the Depthmaster book is included). For more details, please visit nivadagrenchenofficial.com The Super Antarctic is the latest recreation from the new Nivada Just last week, I wrote a piece on a modern reinterpretation timepiece from a revival watch brand called Excelsior Park Consider it the live-bootleg album of watch companies You have to really love this stuff to have ever heard of it in the first place the same muscle behind Excelsior Park – Guillame Laidet – was responsible for saving another quartz causality: Nivada Grenchen a re-issue of a mid-century exploration-driven watch it’s a modern watch infused with the spirit of its predecessor while also taking its name this is a vintage-inspired timepiece that is sure to impress fans of the brand The reason I say that is because the very reason this watch exists is the fans this collection was created via social media One Nivada-obsessed Instagram user posted a photo of their own vintage Super Antarctic That post was then shared by Guillame and the brand via the stories feature the messages that Nivada received as a result of that single post were proof enough that this one needed to be brought back … STAT You, no doubt, can see the similarities between the design of the Super Antarctic, and another well-known field watch, the Rolex Explorer one can't help being reminded of that fact constantly the Explorer is either impossibly expensive or impossible to come by This watch provides all the feeling of a good vintage watch and you don't have to think about the costs of maintenance or the stress of wearing a bank vault on your wrist What we have is a 38mm case that wears comfortably on the wrist especially on the rugged leather strap it comes with (including a quick-release system for easy strap changes) The dial reads Nivada – which I think is something of a tribute to the different names the brand has had over the years Beneath the Nivada name is the word Aquamatic which represents both the type of movement (automatic) and the water-resistance capability in a fairly difficult to read script typeface adding to the charm of a watch that was built for mountaineering and exploration in snowy Antarctica (hence the name) The hands are therefore incredibly legible against that dial though I can't not look at the hour hand and see a Mercedes symbol inside that isn't actually there Guillame and Nivada are known for giving their buyers options The lume on the markers can be had in white Like things that look positively radioactive The case design is not a direct recreation of the original model upon which this is somewhat loosely based the watch utilizes the same case as another Nivada re-edition called the Spider Some hallmarks of this case are its combination of brushed and polished surfaces This is only really apparent when you examine the watch in the hand golden case engraving – not unlike vintage Omega Constellation pieces Beneath that caseback beats the Soprod P024 movement a serviceable caliber with a 4 Hz frequency While the versions photographed come equipped with leather straps the Super Antarctic is also available on a Tropic-style strap as well as a variety of retro bracelets (including some from the brand This was my first time seeing any Nivada watch in the metal and I was very surprised by how infused with historical spirit these pieces are I got an earful from the comments section last week for calling the $2,100 Excelsior piece wallet-friendly with the Super Antarctic – a watch built upon some serious pre-quartz crisis Swiss heritage – we're looking at a watch well under $1,000 on strap ($779) and effectively at $1,000 on bracelet This is very much on-par with the kind of price offering we see from a brand like Baltic I find what Nivada is doing to be very interesting Crowdsourcing the production of a vintage reproduction on Instagram and giving the buyer all manner of customization for the watch they want If this isn't an answer to the sheer lack of options The Nivada Grenchen Super Antarctic 91412 is a 200-meter water-resistant watch