Revived Swiss heritage watches combining vintage tool-watch design, automatic and manual movements, dive-watch capability, chronographs, and modern Swiss construction.
Nivada Grenchen is a historic Swiss watch brand founded in Grenchen in 1926 and revived in 2018 by Guillaume Laidet and Rémi Chabrat. The modern company recreates and evolves important models from its archives, including Chronomaster, Antarctic, Depthmaster, F77, Chronoking, and newer Autochron watches. Current collections combine vintage-inspired proportions with Swiss mechanical movements, sapphire crystals, modern water resistance, and limited-edition releases.
Nivada Grenchen is a historic Swiss watch brand founded in Grenchen, Switzerland, in 1926 by Otto Wüllimann, Hermann Schindler, and Jakob Schneider.
The company originally operated as Wüllimann, Schneider, Nivada SA and developed a reputation for functional Swiss watches, including early automatic models, waterproof watches, chronographs, and precision-oriented tool watches.
By the late 1930s, Nivada expanded into the United States through a partnership with Croton Watch Company. Watches sold in the American market appeared under names including Croton Nivada and Croton Nivada Grenchen.
The brand formally adopted the Nivada Grenchen name in 1958 following a long-running naming dispute with Movado.
One of Nivada Grenchen’s most important historical watches is the Antarctic. Introduced during the 1950s, the watch became associated with U.S. Navy Operation Deep Freeze expeditions to Antarctica, establishing a lasting connection between the brand and polar exploration.
The modern Antarctic collection preserves the compact proportions and restrained design of the originals while adding contemporary materials, automatic movements, sapphire crystals, and updated water resistance.
The Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, introduced during the early 1960s, became one of Nivada Grenchen’s defining multifunction chronographs. Its dial, bezel, and timing functions were designed for activities ranging from aviation and diving to motorsport and regatta timing.
Modern Chronomaster watches retain the distinctive Broad Arrow hands, rotating bezels, multiple timing scales, and compact vintage-inspired case proportions of the historic models. Current versions are available with manual-winding and automatic Swiss mechanical movements.
The Depthmaster traces its history to 1965 and was among the early wristwatches engineered for extreme deep-sea use with a rating of approximately 1,000 metres.
Current Depthmaster models reinterpret the original cushion-shaped case and distinctive dial designs while using sapphire crystals, modern automatic movements, and contemporary dive-watch construction.
The F77 revives an integrated-bracelet sports watch originally released in the late 1970s. Its angular case, textured dial, integrated bracelet, and compact proportions reflect the design language of that period.
Modern F77 MK1 and MK2 watches use Swiss automatic movements including the Soprod P024. Selected newer F77 MKII versions also introduce the Swiss La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement.
Current F77 watches are available in stainless steel, titanium, gold-tone finishes, meteorite and stone dials, and multiple case sizes. Most automatic versions provide approximately 100 metres of water resistance.
The revived brand has also expanded beyond direct historical reissues. Chronoking and Autochron models combine Nivada Grenchen’s chronograph heritage with modern mechanical or meca-quartz movements.
Current meca-quartz chronographs use hybrid movements that combine quartz timekeeping accuracy with a more mechanical-feeling chronograph operation and sweeping chronograph seconds.
Nivada Grenchen regularly experiments with unusual dial materials and limited editions. Recent releases have included meteorite, lapis lazuli, aventurine, bronze, enamel-inspired finishes, tropical-style dials, and collector-focused small runs.
Sapphire crystals, 316L stainless steel, screw-down crowns, Swiss automatic and hand-wound movements, and water resistance from everyday 100-metre sports-watch levels to professional dive-watch specifications are common across the modern collection.
The modern Nivada Grenchen business remains strongly centered on collectors who appreciate vintage proportions and historically faithful details. Many models are offered in several dial, bezel, strap, bracelet, and movement configurations.
Current prices begin at approximately $530 for meca-quartz chronographs. Antarctic and Depthmaster models generally start around $945 to $1,050, F77 watches occupy roughly the $1,160 to $1,860 range, and mechanical Chronomaster models typically approach or exceed $2,000. Special limited editions can reach approximately $5,000.
Price Range: $530 - $5,000
Positioning: Mid-Range
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Yes. Nivada Grenchen was founded in Grenchen, Switzerland, in 1926 and continues to produce Swiss watches inspired by its historic models.
The original company was founded in 1926 by Otto Wüllimann, Hermann Schindler, and Jakob Schneider.
The original business declined during the quartz crisis and largely disappeared from the international market. Guillaume Laidet and Rémi Chabrat revived the brand in 2018.
Current and important collections include Chronomaster, Antarctic, Super Antarctic, Depthmaster, F77, Chronoking, and Autochron.
The current collection uses several Swiss automatic and manually wound mechanical movements, including calibres from Soprod and La Joux-Perret, along with selected meca-quartz chronograph movements.
The Antarctic is a historic exploration watch associated with U.S. Navy Operation Deep Freeze expeditions during the 1950s. Modern versions preserve its compact vintage styling while adding contemporary materials and movements.
The Chronomaster is a multifunction mechanical chronograph originally developed during the 1960s for activities including diving, aviation, motorsport, and regatta timing.
Yes. The Depthmaster is one of the brand's historic professional dive-watch families and traces its origins to a 1965 model engineered for extreme depth ratings.
Current watches generally begin around $530 for meca-quartz models. Antarctic, Depthmaster, and F77 watches typically range from around $945 to below $2,000, while mechanical chronographs and limited editions can cost approximately $2,000 to $5,000.
Nivada Grenchen is best positioned as a mid-range Swiss heritage and enthusiast watch brand, focusing on vintage-inspired mechanical watches, dive watches, chronographs, and collector-oriented limited editions.
