Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster The Universal Sports Watch (Review)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 19 янв 2022
- An Unboxing and Review of the Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster. A Bizarre Chronograph that was introduced in the 1960's as the "Universal Watch for All Time" offers everything from being a Countdown Timer, Dive Watch, Racing Chronograph, GMT & Regatta Timer. What it manages to do so excellently is give you the tools and lets you choose how or when to use them. A Unique and understated piece that has been masterfully recreated with great attention to detail.
#NivadaGrenchen #NivadaGrenchenChronomaster #SkinDiver
All Images are Sourced from either Press Release Photos or Public Listings.
Below are a list of the common sources that are used in no particular order:
Bob’s Watches | Revolution Watch | HQ Milton | Hodinkee | Monochrome Watches | Jomashop | Analog Shift | Bulang and Sons | Robb Report | Watchfinder | WatchBox | Phillips Watches | Christies | Timekeepers Club | Fratello Watches | Bexsonn | Worn and Wound | A Collected Man | Oracle Time | Time + Tide Watches
IDGuy Store: teespring.com/stores/the-idgu...
Support the Channel: / idguy
Follow me on Instagram: id.guy?hl=en
Contact me: enquire.idguy@gmail.com 
Развлечения
IDGuy Store: teespring.com/stores/the-idguy-store
Channel Support - Patreon: www.patreon.com/idguy
Latest Releases: ruclips.net/channel/UCzf6rqsEBni5G2TSevD6F4Afeatured
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/id.guy/
A well made, feature packed, great looking timepiece from a company with genuine heritage. And all at a reasonable price. How refreshing. Great video.
Hit the ball out of the park. I should've also added (I will in Part 2) it's one of the best built watches I've ever experienced at this price-point. Really something to behold today 🥃
Isn't the company heritage a bit of a grey area. It has the company been continuously in operation, I thought this new iteration was using the branding but was a new company. I'm planning on buying one but I do think there is a distinction between a company like Omega and a revitalised NG
@@ssdc2 Certainly NG has been subject to some of the twists and turns that afflicted many of the smaller Swiss brands, especially during the quartz crisis, but there’s no doubt they can trace a reasonably solid heritage all the way back to 1879. Their story isn’t on a par with the likes of Omega etc, but certainly has a reasonable degree of history. Personally, I’d definitely consider buying it on its own present day merits.
@@shaverray4462 True. As long as build quality is good, thats good enough for me.
I held many Nivada watches in my hand at Windup Watch Faire and this brand stood out. I can't stop thinking about them. The fact that their catalogue is from the 60s and 70s is incredible to me, and I feel ashamed for missing out on Nivada for so long.
This watch and brand definitely deserves more attention.
I had no idea that the brand already had a huge cult following (vintage and new time buyers alike) After experiencing this piece I'm not surprised either... It puts so many of the big names to shame just on workmanship alone. And the company operates from Switzerland too. Ah, so good 🥃
Absolutely in love with Nivada Grenchen and Serica, love what they're doing. Especially the restoration of Valjoux 23 by Nivada Grenchen, it's impeccable.
It's great when brands want to do things the right way and take their time doing it 😉 Such a well-built machine... I'm also eager to experience Serica! May be fortunate enough to get hands-on with their new diver (if one is ever available - they're selling like hotcakes)
I guess I was not the only one. I NEED both Nivada and Serica 5303 now😆
I have a Nivada. It's what led me to this video. Serica looks most interesting. Thank you for mentioning it otherwise I may have never known about it!
Owned 2 of these in the 60s under the Croton brand. Paired with a Rolex oyster bracelet, it was a great watch.
Feature rich time piece. Brilliant. Looking forward to part 2. Cheers
Thanks a bunch Craig. The Design part is going to get heavy 😉
@@ID-Guy I do hope so
It was sooner or later that I thought this watch and brand would cross your radar screen. I love that Nivada has come out with this giving hope and inspiration to those who appreciate purity of design and a well considered concept. This is a great review and I loved every minute.
Every video I learn something new. Really a feature packed, good looking piece!
I've owned 5 various Speedmasters in the last 20 years and simply put, I prefer this one. At its price point, it's a no brainer. Great video!
It's a funny thing. Speedies are great and there's no denying their heritage and background. But I think like most pieces I'm attracted to, this kind of watch has more "flair" (and I've never been drawn to Speedmasters) Maybe this is what gets to people? The NG is a brilliant watch... I've definitely bonded with this loaner piece over the last few weeks (which is really bad) 😆
@@ID-Guy Well, I bought one of your t-shirts if that helps the channel 😁
You can actually also use the bezel as a twelve hours timer with the hour hand! No need for 3rd hour totalisatior like a tri compax. Definitely a brilliant piece of design.
It just gets better and better. In the hands of someone else they'll use it completely differently 😉 Why can't more watches give us all the toys and let us make up our minds about how we want to tackle the task? Great point here, brother. Thank you 🥃
Amother excellent video. Congratulations again for presenting us these brands with so much history.
My pleasure Jean. I get such a kick sharing backgrounds and inspirations that went into watches. Always makes them feel that little bit more special and intimate 🥃
As a new subscriber I think that this channel is to be honest one of the best on RUclips. Everything makes sense, the content, images,comments, analysis are precise and don't need superfluous embellishments as in many other channels.
Talking about this Nivada, it's a very good looking watch and my only problem is its 38mm. I already had the experience of buying a Tudor BB Black (41mm) since the BB 58 was too small for me to be a diver and because of the diameter of my wrist, 8 inches.
Excellent video and thanks for sharing. Waiting already for the next one.
The ultimate multi tool watch that looks fantastic. TAKE THAT ROLEX!!
It's great to see that a lot of us are looking in so many other directions today (and at the variety on offer out there) Why have one function to a watch when you can have all the functions? 😉
Most watches have more than one function. An analog watch can be used as a compass. This has been used in WW2 to guide escaped POW’s back to safe territory. A GMT can also be used as a compass and the GMT hand will also point due North and make using your watch a wee bit quicker.
Having a watch with a slide rule and multiple functions can be super handy if you use them on a daily basis for work or hobby. The watch as a compass trick is still taught in the military.
The $1,500 price tag is a fair price for such a gem of a watch.🍺🍺
What’s refreshing is the watch is understated. No precious metals and no over branding like you know who. A watch that sucks under the radar and is an absolute workhorse.
Thoughtful first impressions review! Looking forward to the update video.
Been searching for a vintage one of these for a while. Such a cool dial. Really want one even more now. 👌👌👌
Blows me away how much attention has gone into this watch Mark (and it looks the same across the board with the pieces they offer) Would highly, highly recommend looking at them 🥃
@@ID-Guy annoyingly, my twin brother has just found an awesome vintage piece arriving in a few days. Can’t wait to get hands on with it. I will definitely be looking for one myself now. I subscribed to your channel 18 months ago and it’s one of my favourites. Love the detail you go into on the design. Very thought provoking and different to most channels. Keep up the amazing work 🤟
I find this watch absolutely sublime despite her messy spirit... Thanks for this smart review
100% agree. Seems just like the original I got hands on with a few years ago.
Great video! Well thought out touching on all important points. I’d be interested in any timing results in terms of the accuracy of the movement. Manual wind is the way to go. I love the fact that this timepiece requires so much human interaction. I can see the “old” Abercrombie & Fitch in NYC in the early 1960’s stocking this watch for all of one’s adventures. Again, great video. Very well executed!
OMG, I saw the watch in one of your live stream videos (I think) and I’ve been madly in lovesick ever since! I wasn’t sure about everything else cuz there’s no local stores carrying it. You may be the very first big watch RUclipsr to review it and it’s driving me nuts even more now. I should hurry up before it becomes hard to get.
What's even more crazy (that I didn't realise until recently) is that these have a big cult following! And you weren't wrong, the vintage examples have been featured on a Livestream before here 😆 It really is exceptional. So extremely well built and on a leather strap it's just charming. Plus it's the WORST fidget spinner ever! It's so satisfying playing with the chrono and moving the bezel around all day....
Woooo!
Always great seeing you Gel! 🥃
Looking forward to the follow up video as you were clearly impressed.
Another great video man 👍🏼
Miguel
Thanks a million Miguel! Nothing beats these quirky pieces (I also had no idea how much of a cult following these pieces already had) 😆 Happy New Year to you brother 🥃
@@ID-Guy I agree 100% and happy née year brother ❤️
Great content as usual mate 👌🏻❗️
Thanks a million Yaax 🥃
Thank You !
Great watch
Great review .
A pleasure as always Junior! Thank you for taking the time to watch the clip about this strange machine 😉
Great video. It’s a beautiful watch
Thanks a ton Darren! 🥃
I must confess this isn't a brand that has crossed my path until this review. As a jack of all trades that is closer to the master of all than many options. It really is a superb looking instrument. Function over form but still great form. I have to agree that the beige markers stand out well from the white printing, I didn't think of that at the beginning of the introduction. I wonder what the original colour was for the original, I'd guess it was something like a pale greenish look. New and old together it's pretty tough to be able to definitely see from a double glance which is which. Great comment "timing the bar tender".
Great point about the "Jack of all trades" I want that to be at the core of Part 2 when looking at its design and discussing all of these features together. Is too much of a good thing bad? The attention to detail that has gone into the piece is staggering too... from print to scale and proportions. They have nailed it 🥃
A cracking handsome piece, I'd wear that in the included tropic strap over a Speedmaster any day of the week.
Much more interesting to look at and the broad arrow hands look great and make the piece instantly legible.
Hope the lume is good too.
It's a gorgeous watch. I look forward to covering Part 2 and addressing the "design aspects" more when it comes to things like scale etc. But it's so engaging to look at too... and you're always fiddling with the bezel or running the chrono. Also disappears on you wrist when you're not thinking about it. They really have struck gold when making a piece for the Watch Geek 😉
As always, great review! I love the watch as well.
Not as brilliant as your Deep Sea Chrono (still one of my grails - going to make a video on it soon) BUT it has all the quirks of those pieces 😉 I hope you're well Juan and Happy New Year! 🥃
And I have received all of your emails for the next show 😉
@@ID-GuyThanks! Happy New Year to you too!
@@ID-Guy Haha sorry If I went a little overboard.
You are as spot on in 2022 as in 2021, my favorite version of this model is the white with normal lume, it looks a touch cleaner, somehow.
Love this watch. Heritage, aesthetics, proportions, functionality, it has it all. I realize it's not genuine to the original but if they added a subtle date complication it would be 100% perfect.
Would love that 😍
This is an absolute stunner, and a great looking brand. How did I not know about this? I do take issue with one thing you said. You called it a dive watch, along with everything else. Nobody, and I mean nobody, dives with a 100m watch. It's great that it has that much protection, but this is no dive watch.
Boom! That’s nice!
Wonderful, review. Went to the website, liked the watch on the beds of rice bracelet. Tropic was nice too. Thing is, the price difference between tropic and beads is minimal, would be expensive and hard to source. Buying a quality tropic strap, even though it isn't GN cane be found online in a few hours tops. While 38.3 is smaller than what I usually wear, and have worn that size with little problems with a non chrono, have a 7.5 inch wrist.
Great review of a piece I'm not familiar with.
Blows me away how much of a cult following these pieces have too! They've been unanimously well received because of how much care has gone into recreating them (38.5mm diameter doesn't hurt either) 😉
It is a fun watch to wear. I like it more than it probably deserves because of its provenance, the cat's pajamas to a lot of people 60 years ago. I also like the way it looks. The subdials are way too small to be your ultimate 30-minute chronograph, but that's the way there were back then. The bezel is its best feature.
Will be my next watch☝🏻👍🏻❤️🔝
Interesting 😎⌚👍
Thanks as always Thomason! And Happy New Year if I haven't wished you already! 🥃
Very much appreciated with thanks,@@ID-Guy.
Wishing you a good year ahead @IDGuy!
😎⌚👍🥃
@@thomasont Thank you brother 😉
Hot DAMN, I like this an awful lot. Nivada wasn’t even a name on my RADAR and after watching your video, I’m stoked on the design and the brand’s attention to their history. I was on their website half way through the video!
One question: The leather strap with the deployant clasp; is that an option direct from Nivada or is that a strap combo you already had that you just tried on with the watch?
Really, REALLY liking your content of late. Liked it before. Like it more now that it seems more personal and you’re on camera. Nice work.
Beautiful watch! Thanks for the presentation. So, when are we going to get one?! Jk.. But, seriously, the proportions are so nice. Why can't more brands make a capable mechanical chronograph in such a compact and slim form? Surely it IS possible. But, 41mm+ with 14mm+ seems to be minimal and goes up from there. Make and bring us more at such classic and compact sizes such as this watch.
I've really bonded with this loaner model... it's bad 😆 But you're 100% right. I have no idea why so many brands can't follow a simple method of making a watch as slim and well-proportioned as possible without compromising the aesthetics. This little NG feels amazing on the wrist (and so unpretentious) Nicely said, brother 🥃
Danke!
Great Video! I've had my eye on one of these for a while, a vintage at first & then a reissue as they look so close to the originals. They look sooo f**king cool in my opinion, if I hadn't had to spend so much money getting the Integrale fixed up over Christmas I'd have one by now! ;-)
Aaah! Something told me work was going to be done on the Integrale 😉 Random sidenote: I stumbled on a Hyundai Iconiq 5 yesterday and WOW. Such a nice 80's styling they've gone with (right up your alley) it looks mean. Also would highly recommend one of these NG's... it's a gem!
Wow yes that Hyundai looks great, very eighties angular look, I much prefer that to 90's cars that had a more curvy rounded aesthetic!
@@Andrew.W75 It feels like we're now going through the Neo-80's look with a lot of future EV's (here's hoping) And also hope your Integrale is treating you well 😉 I've never been lucky enough to see / experience one yet. Such a gem...
I really love the aesthetics of the piece, as someone that’s recently sold a speedy because it feels like all watch face due to its smaller bezel, there’s much to be said for large bezels and smaller watch faces. The benefit of dive watch design on a chrono, it kind of reminds me of the certina ph200 with all the benefits of the chrono and 2nd time zone. Apparently N.G. don’t cover for UK import fees which is a bit rubbish. Just charge that bit more so the total price and import tax is covered
Thanks for this David. You're the second person to mention import tax on these too. But you're right about the charm with a larger bezel taking up the space. It's so interesting seeing it next to the Big Eye and how scales play an important role in getting the balance right 🥃
Interesting perspectives David.
I just bought a Lorier precisely *because* of the thin bezel!
Anyway,... I'm an owner/lover of the DS PH200M. Now you say it, you're right. I see the similarity.
I struggle with the small size of the NG, due to legibility concerns but I love the aesthetic. Conversely the greatest issue with the Certina is its unnecessary size. That said, the overhanging bezel and springbar placement allow it to wear smaller than its dimensions suggest to a surprising degree, something that perhaps would well serve a slightly up sized version of the Nivada?
I'm looking forward to seeing this brand offers over the coming year or two.
Oh man I almost totally forgot about this watch as it is incredibly historical where Jaques Cousteau wore this as well. I was on an Instagram Live Stream with Adam Swords where one of his viewers had this watch as well!
It's so good, brother. Feature-packed and one of the quirkiest dive watches out there. Also love its "low profile". Nobody knows unless they know 😉
@@ID-Guy oh yes no brainer that this is an IDGuy watch. Thank you for these videos as always my friend!
@@SamrayGTR My pleasure! And I really hope you had an excellent New Year! It's been a while since we caught up (don't think I've touched Discord in like 3 months 🙄)
Damn every time I knock a watch off my list I watch something like this. =)
It's bad, I know... There's always something else out there for us to sink our teeth into 😆
very interesting piece
It does make you look at the watch differently, right? But the question is: Is too much of a good thing bad? "Jack of all trades, master of none" The design portion will be fun to cover 😆
@@ID-Guy I think it's a fun chronograph with great history and heritage plus with so many different options for the hardware
@@ID-Guy hi idguy
What do you wear as your daily beater?
Mine is my old's man vintage seiko dx blue tv dial watch 1974
@@pumaadidas Great question! The watches I've worn most through 2020 / 2021 is the Smiths Everest (gilt dial) and the Longines Big Eye (usually on a nato or leather). I'm one of those guys that gets sidetracked and needs to get another watch on. And those Seiko TV's are so slick! Lucky many to get a watch from your dad 😉 Keep looking after the machine. Some things are just priceles
@@ID-Guy cheers
Retro reissue extending to the Saul Bass-esque box art.
How well of an all rounder? Look forward to next installment of this longitudinal review.
Speaking of "Longitude" check my Instagram. Got an interesting video in the works that'll be up in two weeks 😉 Thank you as always Alex! And I really hope you had an excellent start to the New Year
Great video! I’ve been heavily considering this as my next Chronograph. The timing versatility is unique, as is the reasonably rugged (yet well finished) build. This watch ticks a lot of boxes in terms of utility and versatility, but it is also an inspired design. I look forward to your full review!
P.S. This might be an annoying question, but I’m curious where you got two straps from the video: The brown strap with tan stitching, and the NATO on the Big Eye at 5:09. Thanks!
Thank you Brother and yes! It was the strap that came with my Omega 1957. I do believe you can find them from the Omega store still (also in brown) I'll see if I can find the link: www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/omega-nato-straps-031cwz007566w Eye-watering price but amazing quality, have no doubt it'll last a lifetime. I'll be ordering another when I finally pick up my Tudor later this year (for laughs) 😆🥃
@@ID-Guy Thank you so much! I love the texture of that strap, so I do appreciate the information. 👍
@@typebflieger My pleasure! I have yet to come across a better made nato strap (from third parties) Maybe Tudor will change my mind but these Omega straps are so good (with sliding keepers & milled buckles) 😉
The Croton Nvidea Grenchen Chronograph technically came first, made for a year with a different movement before falling prey to a lawsuit.
It should have been a paid endorsement---you sold me!
That's lovely.. would be very tempted if it was 40mm, it's just too small for me. ( Tho I get why it's the same as the original) The Swiss army knife nature is very appealing!
Just bought a Grail, a true Pogue - cost me a Ducati, but I'm chuffed to bits with it !!
Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻
The size at 38mm is tiny and I'll be mentioning in Part 2 that it might be an issue for those with ageing eyes 😉 But well done on the Pogue, Steve! I had no idea the vintage models were going for so much today... wow! Wear it in good health, sir! 🥃
Just a quick question, due you use any kind of cad software to design your ideas?
Yes I do! Depending on the situation, its usually a mix of Rhino 3D, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop 😉
2 great videos, AS ALWAYS! I’m dying to know, did you buy one?
Very nice and interesting watch, though I would not go into the water with it, much less dive.
Since I'm borrowing the watch, I kinda want to test it in water... but it just doesnt feel right haha! It's very tempting though...
@@ID-Guy Do you dive in January?, diving in cold water will be easier anything goes wrong.
Very nice watch.
The user supplies the “smart”.
You are in control not the watch.
Nicely said George! That was the definition of Smart back in the day. You had the power over your technology 😉
Hello. Could you please tell us the brown leather strap on this piece and deployant clasp?
Love your passion and attention to detail. Question - you say it’s 13mm thick but I read it at 15mm. Is that 13mm without the domed glass? Tks
38mm just seem right… everything gels together nicely.
Could you please tell me the manufacturer of the brown leather strap and clasp? Looking great on this watch!
I NEED to know what brown leather strap + deployment clasp you added to that watch. It would make it an instant purchase for me!
Let me know when you find out please! Same boat.
How smooth is the manual winding?
Nice choice. I love manual winds, but since you can never find one with a power indicator, it just ends up giving me anxiety.
I’ve been eyeing this as a pseudo one watch collection for a while. Nivada definetly has some of the best back catalog in regards of phoenix’s brands are concerned. I highly recommend to look for the Nivada wanderer, a beautiful alarm watch with personality, or some versions of the antarctic. Thanks for the video cheers
I've been looking at NG's more and more after experiencing this gem. Hopefully (maybe) I'll be able to review more on the channel in coming month (like the Antarctic, Depthmaster, Spider) Such great pieces that I had no idea had such a cult following! Thanks for this Manny! I'll definitely be looking at the Wanderer too 😉
Unfortunately for the price they don't include import tax and Vat like Ollech Wajs.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention! I'll talk with my contact and see if they can factor something in for us 🥃
I wish there were more authentically sized reissues out there, sometimes the upscaling really takes away from the original impact of a piece if all of the proportions are not kept at least mostly the same
I just bought their Depthmaster with the Pacman dial no date
I have just got one of these Chronomasters on the way manual. I see the attraction of this piece
IDguy, great video on a great watch. You might recall that I joined your monthly "what's on the wrist" marathon live sessions with this exact watch, but the original reference 85004/3181 with Valjoux 23 movement. It has the exact same details. Coincidence that is called :-)
I do remember! And it must be featured again! I'd love to share the watch on another show. Also had no idea how much of a cult following these gorgeous machines had until recently. True coincidence to say the least 😉
What is the build quality like?
Dude, come on...show us the caseback.
I knew something was missing... then remembered that while filming I had the caseback sticker on and it was covered in crud 😆 I'll be sure to share it in Part 2 🥃
We would buy few if they put it in a bronze case.
It’s just me or the hour hand covers too much of the chrono subdial ?
Owner of one here. Yes the broad arrow hour hand can cover one of the dials. I rarely use the chrono function but I find when it's blocking the left register (seconds dial) that it can hinder setting the watch accurately. Minor issue as it does make telling time especially at a quick glance very easy and works well with the 12 hr GMT bezel if you're monitoring time elsewhere. There are stick hand variants that exist on both vintage and reissue. I would wager the other non broad arrow variants came out in part because of this issue.
the misaligned bezel... why cant companies ever perfect this. even at that price point...
It's me or Grenchen sounds like the name of a witch that lives in the forest?
Timing the bartender… are you for real?
As a new subscriber I think that this channel is to be honest one of the best on RUclips. Everything makes sense, the content, images,comments, analysis are precise and don't need superfluous embellishments as in many other channels.
Talking about this Nivada, it's a very good looking watch and my only problem is its 38mm. I already had the experience of buying a Tudor BB Black (41mm) since the BB 58 was too small for me to be a diver and because of the diameter of my wrist, 8 inches.
Excellent video and thanks for sharing. Waiting already for the next one.
100% agree. Seems just like the original I got hands on with a few years ago.
It's mind-blowing how much work they put into recreating it accurately. Right up there with the big names like Omega and Breitling 🥃