Swiss watch brand Nivada Grenchen has released a re-edition of its 1950s diving timepiece, the Antarctic Diver.
A faithful reproduction of the historic model, this new Swiss made timepiece in stainless steel comes with a double-domed sapphire crystal glass, screw-down crown, and the SOPROD P024 automatic calibre.
The new edition of the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver watch features a 38mm-diameter (up from 36.5mm), 12.9mm-thick case.
As far as the overall design of the watch is concerned, it looks exactly like the original, complete with patinated “creamlatte” hands and indexes. Moreover, the Antarctic Diver has a generous, easy to read black dial providing a crisp backdrop for the markings, all in the same shape and position and as on the original, including the unmistakable script.
The unidirectional rotating bezel with a black ceramic insert provides the new Antarctic Diver a deeper, richer contrast, along with greater durability. The date window is located at 3 o’clock.
True to the original, the dial comes with the discreet ‘red cross hairs’. Back in the day, the buyer could choose between several versions (red or white ‘cross hairs’; the numbers 1-12 on the bezel). The reissue honors the iconic version with red cross hairs and the minimalist, non-numbered bezel.
The dial also boasts the legendary Nivada Automatic logo at 12 o’clock and Antarctic-Diver in the unmistakable vintage script at six o’clock, echoing the aesthetics of the original.
The screw-down steel caseback is engraved with the signature emblem of the Antarctic collection: the profile of a penguin. This recreational diving timepiece has a water-resistance rating of 20 atm/200m.
The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver is available in ten wristband variations. Its retail price range is $900 to $1,100.
The Antarctic Book: A Retrospective of the Antarctic Collection
To mark the launch of Antarctic Diver, Nivada Grenchen is also presenting a reference book that meticulously retraces all possible variations of NIVADA GRENCHEN’s Antarctic pieces. Its author is Aashdin K. Billmoria, a full-time watchmaker, archivist, historian and writer for over thirty years.
Technical details
Model: Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver
Case
Material: 316 L stainless steel
Case finish: Satin-brushed
Diameter: 38mm
Thickness: 12.9mm
Lug to lug: 45mm
Lug width: 20mm
Crystal: Double-domed sapphire glass with AR coating
Ceramic bezel, black background, with SLC1 white luminous markers & numerals, bi-directional turning
Caseback: Stainless steel case-back with “Penguin” engraving
Water resistance: 20 ATM (200 meters, 660 feet)
Dial
Black texture dial with red & white print + 7401C luminous indexes, applied date window
Indexes: Patinaed, “creamlatte”
Movement
SOPROD P024, three-hand, mechanical self-winding
Date with quick setting mechanism
28’800 vibrations per hour (4Hz)
25 jewels
Power reserve: 38 hours
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Strap
- Brown leather with or without white stitching
- Black leather with or without white stitching
- Steel bracelet ‘Forstner Bonklip’
- Steel bracelet ‘Beads of Rice’
- Steel bracelet ‘Oyster’ (3 rows)
- Rubber bracelet ‘Tropic’
- Steel bracelet ‘Forstner/Beads of Rice’
- Steel Bracelet ‘Forstner Rivet’
Buckle
Leather strap: 316L stainless steel Ardillon
Forstner Klip bracelet: 316L stainless steel pusher clasp
Beads of rice bracelet: 316L steel push button deployant 16 mm buckle
Oyster bracelet: 316L steel push button deployant 16 mm buckle
Black Rubber Strap: 316L stainless steel ardillon
Forstner Beads of Rice Bracelet: 316l stainless steel deployant buckle
Forstner Rivet Bracelet: 316L stainless steel deployant buckle
Retail price
$900 (for models with leather strap or rubber strap)
$1,100 (for models with steel bracelet)
