Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver (1960s) ref. 85004 Movement: Manual Valjoux 23 Case size: 38mm Here are some vintage and modern examples from my collection: These new models stay very true to the original designs and functions of the historical models.Ī great article from Fratello can be found here: A Brief History Of Time: Nivada Grenchen's Complete Brand History Another company brought to its knees by the quartz crisis of the 1970s, the brand has now been revived to its former glory when in 2018, under new ownership, it released the revival of the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, then in 2020 the Antarctic, and subsequently in 2021 the Depthmaster ans 2022 the Datomaster. This has led to much confusion for collectors between the models labeled Nivada, Nivada Grenchen, Croton, Croton Nivada, and Croton Nivada Grenchen. Nivada's peak production was in the 1960s and its most famous model released in 1963 was the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, previously Nivada's most popular model was the Antarctic dive watch in the 1950s. So the same models branded Nivada or Nivada Grenchen in Europe were branded Croton in the US. This was due to Movado taking successful legal action against Nivada using its name in the US market - as sounding too similar to Movado (surprising but true). Nivada entered into a partnership with NY-based Croton Watch Company in 1939 for US distribution. Movements were sourced from the major Swiss ebauche producers such as A Schild, ETA, Landeron, Valjoux and Venus. Founded by Otto Wullimann, Hermand Schlindler, and Jacob Schneider the brand was very similar to other Swiss brands of its time developing dress watches, sports watches and chronographs. Founded in 1926 in Grenchen, Switzerland a famous watchmaking home to brands such as Breitling, Certina, Eterna, Fortis and movement makers ETA and A Schild.

Nivada/Nivada Grenchen/Croton - Is it Nivada, Nivada Grenchen or Croton? Yes - depending on location and year of issue.

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