Nivada Grenchen is a brand from the 1920s that was brought back with watches that stay very close to the originals. The range is wide, and the same model comes in many versions. This guide explains the four main families.
A brand from 1926, relaunched
Nivada was founded in 1926 in Grenchen, Switzerland. In the 1950s and 1960s it made some of the most useful watches of the time: the Antarctic, worn on an American polar expedition, and the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, a chronograph that tried to do everything at once.
The brand was relaunched around 2020 and has stayed close to the originals: the same case sizes, domed crystals and dial layouts, with modern movements inside.
The four families
| Family | What it is |
|---|---|
| Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver | The chronograph with a rotating bezel, in many dial versions including the "broad arrow" hands |
| Antarctic | A slim everyday watch that goes back to the polar expedition models of the 1950s |
| Depthmaster | A compact cushion-case dive watch rated to 1,000 meters, nicknamed the Pac-Man for its numerals |
| F77 | A 1970s design with an integrated bracelet |
Hand-wound or automatic
Most Nivada chronographs are offered with a hand-wound or an automatic movement. From the front they look alike. The Movement row in the specifications says which one a watch has, and it is worth deciding first: a hand-wound watch has to be wound by the crown; an automatic winds itself on the wrist.
Many straps, one watch
Nivada sells the same watch on many straps and bracelets. When you compare two listings, check that you are comparing the same strap or bracelet.
Which one should you buy?
- Chronomaster if you want a vintage-style chronograph and enjoy choosing between dial versions.
- Antarctic if you want a slim, simple everyday watch.
- Depthmaster if you want a compact dive watch with a great deal of water resistance.
- F77 if you want the integrated-bracelet look of the 1970s.
These watches keep the case sizes of the originals. If you are used to larger watches, see our guide to choosing your watch size.
Every watch we sell is checked by our specialist before it ships. We are an independent retailer, not an authorized dealer of the brand; the listing says what comes with each watch.
Browse all Nivada Grenchen watches in stock.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nivada Grenchen an old brand?
Yes. It was founded in 1926 in Grenchen, Switzerland, and was relaunched around 2020.
What is the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver?
The brand's chronograph with a rotating bezel, a design from the 1960s made today in many dial versions.
Why is the Depthmaster called the Pac-Man?
It is a nickname for the shape of its numerals. The watch is a compact cushion-case diver rated to 1,000 meters.
Are Nivada chronographs hand-wound or automatic?
Both exist. The Movement row in the specifications of each listing says which.
