The Chronomaster range of watches from Nivada Grenchen and Croton were produced in a time when adventures and exploration were at the forefront of what was happening in the world and within the pop culture of the 1960s.  Within the expansive world of vintage timepieces, there is no uncertainty that vintage tool watches hold a particular position within the minds of numerous collectors. The 1960s and 1970s were what we now know as the golden era of sports watch design where the form of a watch needed to meet its intended function to support the adventures that the watch was created for. Nivada Grenchen or Croton in the States was founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in the 1920s by Jacob Schneider, Nivada Grenchen was actually one of the first watch brands to manufacture automatic watches. Nevada encompassed another modern wristwatch innovations as well, creating waterproof and “rustless” watches that would stand up to the rigors of the outdoor adventures they were creating a watch for. 

The Aviator Sea Diver covers all of these classic sport watch ques from this golden era of classic sports watch design. The Croton Sea Diver Chronograph features a large stainless steel 38mm stainless steel case with long and balanced lugs, the aluminum minute/hour bi-directional bezel is not only unique but useful. The simple and no-nonsense dial is beautifully executed with a flash of red in the rightmost sub-dial that offers a 5-minute count down interval. The large broad arrow handset is eye-catching and also provides a highly visible reference point for telling the time. The Chronomaster came in several variants. Some were branded under the Nivada Grenchen name which was powered by the Valjoux 92, whereas the Chronomasters that went to the US were branded under Croton and used the Valjoux 23.

SPECS

CASE & BRACELET

The excellent case remains unpolished exhibiting its original lines and dimensions with honest wear from use. The directional bezel remains in excellent condition, the bezel insert shows some patina and wear from use. The pushers remain original, the crown is an early replacement. The watch will come on a 2pc handmade leather strap.

DIAL & HANDS

The rare metallic white dial is both unique and sporty. The dial itself has achieved a consistent spotting patina that gives the dial a warm aesthetic look. The tritium lume plots have taken on a nice creamy patina, under U.V. light inspections the 1, 7, and 11 o'clock markers exhibit some degradation. The original tritium hands have taken on a dark patina and show no degradation under U.V. light inspection.

ACCESSORIES 

None. The watch just received a complete service and is backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.