Nivada Grenchen has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century, however, the brand made a comeback recently with some exciting reissues and new designs. The timing of the revival of Nivada Grenchen was impeccable: we’re in 2018, and the popularity of vintage designs, smaller case sizes was on the rise when new owners Guillaume Laidet and Remi Chabrat purchases the licensing use of the Nivada Grenchen name, and its back-catalog of successful models no longer produced.
Let’s take a deeper look at the fascinating journey of Nivada Grenchen, exploring its popular collections, and watch designs that contributed to the very successful comeback of the brand.
The History of Nivada Grenchen
Nivada Grenchen was founded in 1926 in Grenchen, Switzerland. At the beginning, the brand’s focus was on elegant everyday watches that can withstand the rigors of day to day use.
Nivada Grenchen became synonymous with commitment to quality and durability.
The Different Names of Nivada Grenchen
In 1939, Nivada partnered with the New York-based Croton Watch Company for distribution in the United States. This move was necessary as Movado had a successful legal challenge against Nivada’s use of its name in the US market, claiming it sounded too similar to Movado. In my personal opinion, this sounds like a stretch, and I’m actually surprised about Movado being successful in this legal battle.
As a result, watches that were marketed as Nivada or Nivada Grenchen in Europe were sold under the Croton brand name in the US.
As you can imagine, this branding strategy has caused considerable confusion among collectors regarding the models. There were watches labeled in all combinations you can think of: Nivada, Nivada Grenchen, Croton, Croton Nivada, and Croton Nivada Grenchen.
The 1960s marked the pinnacle of Nivada’s production, with the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, launched in 1963, becoming one of the most popular models after the Antarctic dive watch, which was the brand’s most popular model in the 1950s.
Resurgence of Nivada Grenchen
Like many others, Nivada was significantly impacted by the quartz crisis of the 1970s. However, the brand saw a resurgence in 2018 under new ownership, which was the beginning of the comeback of the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver. This was followed by the re-release of the Antarctic in 2020, and then the Depthmaster and Datomaster in 2021 and 2022, respectively. These reissued models closely mirror the original designs and functionalities of their historic counterparts.
Milestones of Nivada Grenchen
Throughout its history, Nivada Grenchen has been at the forefront of innovation in the watch industry.
In the 1950s, the brand achieved a significant milestone with the introduction of the Antarctic model. This watch was designed for the U.S. Navy’s Operation Deep Freeze, a testament to its durability and precision in the most extreme conditions. The Antarctic became a symbol of Nivada Grenchen’s capability to produce watches that not only tell time but also withstand the tests of adventure and exploration.
Another notable achievement was the development of the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver in the 1960s, a highly versatile chronograph that catered to both aviators and divers. This model showcased Nivada Grenchen’s dedication to serving the needs of professionals who demanded accuracy and reliability in challenging environments.
Unique Aspects of Nivada Grenchen
Nivada Grenchen distinguishes itself through a combination of tradition, innovation, and craftsmanship. The brand’s dedication to Swiss watchmaking traditions is evident in every timepiece, ensuring that each watch is not just a tool but a piece of art. The use of high-quality materials, coupled with meticulous attention to detail, results in watches that are both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
Moreover, Nivada Grenchen’s commitment to innovation has led to the development of unique watch movements and designs that stand out in the crowded watch market. The brand’s movements are renowned for their precision and reliability, embodying the Swiss watchmaking ethos of excellence.
Nivada Grenchen’s Place in the World of Watchmaking
Nivada Grenchen distinguishes itself through a combination of tradition, innovation, and craftsmanship. The brand’s dedication to Swiss watchmaking traditions is evident in every timepiece, ensuring that each watch is not just a tool but a piece of art. The use of high-quality materials, coupled with meticulous attention to detail, results in watches that are both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
Moreover, Nivada Grenchen’s commitment to innovation has led to the development of unique watch movements and designs that stand out in the crowded watch market. The brand’s movements are renowned for their precision and reliability, embodying the Swiss watchmaking ethos of excellence.
Movements Used by Nivada Grenchen
Nivada Grenchen’s watches are equipped with different movement types, and calibers. All of them are excellent quality with great reliability.
They have timepieces with quartz and mecaquartz movements (like the Seiko VK63A caliber), manual hand-winding (Valjoux 23 caliber), and ETA-based automatic movements.
Takeaway: Are Nivada Grenchen Watches Good Watches?
Nivada Grenchen’s brand journey is a story of how a small Swiss brand evolved into a global watchmaking icon. Resilience, and unwavering commitment to quality. Nivada Grenchen represents the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking, with a legacy that spans nearly a century.
I think it’s great to see the revival of the brand. The 1970s was difficult for a lot of brands, and Nivada Grenchen was no exception. Luckily, their original designs are available again, and new collections are a very respectful nod towards the brand’s rich history.
Whether it’s the rugged Antarctic model or the elegant Chronomaster, Nivada Grenchen watches are designed to be not just timekeepers, but companions for life.
In a world where the pace of life continues to accelerate, a Nivada Grenchen watch on the wrist serves as a reminder of the enduring values of quality, reliability, and beauty.
As the brand moves forward, it continues to draw on its rich heritage while embracing the challenges of the future. For those who appreciate the art of watchmaking, Nivada Grenchen offers a connection to a tradition of excellence that is timeless.
Buyer’s Guide: Nivada Grenchen Watch Collections
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Antarctic
Specs:
- Ref #: 32031A23
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Soprod P024
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 38 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 45 mm
- Price: Under $1,000
The name truly encapsulates its essence. Nivada Grenchen’s watches in the Antarctic collection have endured the harshest environments in the most formidable regions of the south. These timepieces have weathered snow, rain, and sleet, proving indispensable to Admiral Byrd during the challenging Operation Deep Freeze.
Equipped with self-winding, shock-resistant, and anti-magnetic features, the Antarctic thrives in extreme cold, boasting a highly water-resistant structure, along with a durable mainspring and balance staff. Additionally, it offers an unwavering guarantee of at least three years.
Embark on an adventure and experience the enhanced durability and reliability of the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic.
Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver Black Broad Arrow
Specs:
- Ref #: 86009M02
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Sellita SW510 M BH B
- Power Reserve: 63 hours
- Case Width: 38 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 46.5 mm
- Price: Under $2,000
This iconic chronograph boasts an impressive array of features, powered by the Sellita SW510 BH B movement. This enables the watch to function with either automatic winding (SW510 BH b) or manual winding (SW510 M BH b). It offers a variety of hand and dial options, from Broad Arrow to Lollipop and Orange Boy to Panda, making it a timeless piece with cutting-edge customization options. As part of Nivada Grenchen’s prestigious collection known for its exceptional quality, the Nivada Chronomaster stands out as a highly precise and versatile tool. It finds value across diverse fields such as sports, business, science, and professional instruction, proving its ability to meet a wide range of needs.
Each Nivada Chronomaster undergoes rigorous testing to ensure its quality and is accompanied by a certificate guaranteeing its array of powerful features.
Depthmaster
Specs:
- Ref #: 14102A17
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: SOPROD P024
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 39 mm
- Lug-to-Lug Distance: 47 mm
- Price: Under $1,000
Yet, another timepiece has gained recognition and a distinctive nickname among the elite: the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster, known as the “Pac-Man” or, to some, the “Mini-Panerai.” The range of nicknames given to the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster speaks volumes about its significance in the world of watchmaking and its esteemed status among watch enthusiasts.
Datomaster
Specs:
- Ref #: 88001Q10
- Movement: Mecaquartz
- Caliber: VK64
- Case Width: 36 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 43.5 mm
- Price: Under $500
The Datomaster, chosen as the brand’s second chronograph line to be reissued after the Chronomaster, stands out with its iconic date display at 12 o’clock, adding to its uniqueness. Its design, reminiscent of a 70s manual winding chronograph and contained within a 39mm diameter, ensures this timepiece is a versatile addition to any wrist for every occasion.
The Datomaster is also available in a compact 36mm version. However, due to the size constraints of modern mechanical movements, creating a slim profile at this diameter often results in a design that can appear bulky. Despite this challenge, Nivada Grenchen found a solution by incorporating a Mecaquartz Seiko movement. After creating a prototype, the result was unexpectedly stylish!
F77
Specs:
- Ref #: 69000A77
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: SOPROD P024
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 37 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 45 mm
- Price: Under $1,500
The F77 is exclusively offered with a 316L stainless steel bracelet and has been reissued in a 37mm size to stay true to the design of the original model. It features a distinctive ‘carbon effect’ basket weave dial, complemented by prominent baton indexes. The baton-style hands for hours and minutes mirror the streamlined elegance of the steel case. With a thickness of 12.65mm, it presents an exceptionally sleek profile for the wearer. The launch includes four variations, offering a choice between black or blue dials, each available with or without a date display. The F77 operates on a Swiss-made SOPROD P024 automatic movement, which is designed to function with or without a date feature (eliminating the ghost position), and boasts a power reserve of 38 hours.
WRITTEN BY
Maté D
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