Nivada Grenchen has brought out a new chronograph inspired by a very rare model from the 1970s.
The Chronosport 38mm has an unusual asymmetrical chronograph layout, with counters at 9 and 12 o’clock.
It also has an aluminium uni-directional rotating bezel.
The original Nivada brand was founded in 1926 in the Swiss town of Grenchen, at the foot of the Jura mountains.
It was revived in 2018 by French entrepreneur Guillaume Laidet.
Mr Laidet, who used to work for Zenith, brought the brand back with a view to making accessible pieces that pay homage to Grenchen’s heritage.
The Chronosport was a prototype produced in very small numbers – thought to be around 20 pieces – in the 1970s.
One day, Mr Laidet found an old Chronosport on an auction site and posted a picture on Instragram.
The social media post went viral and the decision was made to use that watch as inspiration for a new piece.
The modern watch has chrono dials in light brown – or taupe with a hint of khaki, as Nivada calls is – contrasted with a black dial.
The blackened aluminium bezel has a tachymeter scale, giving added racing feel and a useful addition if you want to time speed over a measured distance.
It is powered by the ETA/Valjoux-7750, the well-known 25-jewel chronograph movement, with a 42-hour power reserve.
The 38mm case has a solid, screw-down caseback, contributing to a very decent 200m of water resistance.
The 10 different strap options include a three-link stainless steel bracelet, as well as various leather and fabric bands.
For the first month pieces will be numbered, after that the un-numbered watch will join Nivada’s permanent collection.
The Nivada Grenchen Chronosport 38mm costs $2180.
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