Nivada Grenchen – Between the Archives and the Present
Hardly any other brand embodies the current renaissance of vintage sports watches as consistently as Nivada Grenchen. Founded in the 1920s, the Swiss company has repositioned itself in recent years under the leadership of Guillaume Laidet—with a clear focus on authentic re-editions that not only pay homage to the past but also thoughtfully build upon it.
Title: F77 MARK II with Lapis Lazuli Dial
F77 Mark II: Evolution, Not a Reinterpretation
One example of this is the new F77 Mark II, which is based on a 1977 model. The first reissue alone turned out to be an unexpected success—not least because it struck a chord with a growing community of people looking for accessible, characterful sports watches.
With the second generation, Nivada is now responding specifically to this feedback. The changes are subtle: slightly contoured lugs enhance comfort, while drilled lugs make it easier to switch between steel and rubber straps. The diameter has increased slightly to 38 millimeters without altering the proportions of the original.
In terms of technical specifications, the watch remains robust, featuring a screw-down crown, 100-meter water resistance, and a Soprod automatic movement.
Particularly striking is the addition of stone dials to the collection, which lend the watch a new visual depth. Materials such as lapis lazuli, aventurine, and meteorite each bring their own unique texture and play of light to the design—ranging from deep blue with golden flecks to metallic, shimmering, almost cosmic patterns.
Antarctic Glacier: History as a Starting Point
Even more deeply rooted in its historical context is the Antarctic Glacier, which draws inspiration from the Antarctic models of the 1950s and 1960s. The original Antarctic was tested under extreme conditions—including during American Antarctic expeditions.
For this new edition, Nivada drew on original dials that were discovered in a restoration workshop near Grenchen. These served as the basis for the current design, which—with its applied hour markers and clean lines—deliberately stays true to the historical model.
The Glacier is available in two sizes: a 35-millimeter model with a manual-winding movement and a 38-millimeter model with an automatic movement. Both versions maintain a deliberately understated design—functional, clean, and without excessive embellishment—but offer a variety of strap options.
Somewhere between a tool watch and a collector’s item
What both models have in common is an approach that is increasingly evident in the industry: a blend of historical heritage, modern practicality, and direct engagement with collectors.
The Nivada Grenchen thus straddles the line between a classic tool watch and a contemporary collector’s item—demonstrating that innovation does not necessarily mean breaking with the past, but often lies precisely in its faithful continuation.
