Croton Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver

Among the vast world of vintage timepieces, there is no doubt that vintage tool watches hold a special place in the hearts of many collectors, ourselves included. With their simple, clean designs and reliable, robust movements, the tool watches of the 1960s and 1970s were built to accompany the adventurer across the globe and to keep time at its great heights as well as its dark depths.

Given the popularity of the style (even to this day), there are hundreds of interesting variants from dozens of companies. Though these companies all, for the most part, ceased production due to the ravages of the Quartz crisis, their watches remain. They all have a story to tell, a unique take on a tried and true theme.

Among these, vintage chronographs are some of the most attractive; even when relegated to desk duty, there's just something so right about a vintage chronograph on your wrist. 

Nivada (or Nivada Grenchen, or Croton in the States) should be a familiar name to vintage watch collectors. Founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in the 1920s by Jacob Schneider, Nivada was one of the first brands to manufacture automatic watches. Nivada embraced other innovations as well, producing waterproof and “rustless” watches that would stand up to the rigors of the outdoors.

They faced their ultimate test in the mid-1950s, when watches made by Nivada went to the South Pole in Operation Deep Freeze. During this operation, led by Admiral Richard Byrd of the U.S. Navy, Americans first set foot on the South Pole. Members of Byrd’s crew wore Nivada Grenchen Antarctics, which cemented the brand’s reputation as a producer of watches for men of action and adventure.

The watches that the brand produced throughout the 1960s did well to uphold Nivada’s reputation, like this watch: the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver.

The name says it all, really. This was an age of action and exploration, when no region of the world was left untouched. Jet travel made it possible to fly from Paris to New York in one day, and the popularity of SCUBA diving meant that more and more people were delving into the deepest recesses of the ocean.

Watch brands began rolling out specialized watches to suit every need, from driving, to flying, to diving, and everything in between.

Nivada followed suit in 1963 with the introduction of the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver in 1963. Throughout its fifteen-year run, the Chronomaster would come in many different iterations. This is one of the earliest, with the trademark broad arrow hands (reminiscent of early Omega Speedmasters) that it would carry until a redesign in the 1970s.

While these watches are by no means scarce, one in this condition is rare indeed. The bevels on the lugs are as sharp as they must have been when this watch first rolled off the assembly line. The hour markers and hands do show signs of age, having mellowed to a handsome even patina, and the case back likewise shows signs of light use.

But what we have here is a versatile timepiece, at home in any environment you wish to wear it—on land, in the air, or at sea.

Though many are likely unfamiliar with the particulars of its history, Nivada Grenchen — and by extension, its American distributor, Croton — forms a crucial part of the story of vintage watches. Entrepreneur Jacob Schneider founded the firm in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1926, while his son, Max, took over in 1976. In the United States, their watches were distributed under the Croton name to avoid a trademark dispute.

Early automatic watches in 1930 were followed in 1950 by the firm’s first waterproof model, called the Antarctic, which accompanied the U.S. Navy’s Deep Freeze 1 personnel on an expedition to Antarctica from 1955 to 1956. During this operation, led by Admiral Richard Byrd of the U.S. Navy, Americans first set foot on the South Pole. Further, Deep Freeze 1 cemented Nivada Grenchen’s/Croton’s reputation as a producer of watches for men of action and adventure.

1963 saw the launch of the Chronomaster, a chronograph christened on its dial with three words: “Chronomaster (or, sometimes “Chronograph”),” “Aviator,” and “Sea Diver.” This unique design was aimed squarely at the mid-20th century adventurer, and featured 200m of water resistance, plus a chronograph, a unique count-up dive bezel with additional 12-hour GMT scale, and a regatta countdown timer. (Certain versions also included a date window.)
Other innovative models followed, such as 1964’s Depthomatic, a dive watch with a manual depth gauge. Another timepiece, the Depthmaster, featured a water resistance rating of 1,000m and a quirky case shape that has been christened “the Baby Panerai” by modern collectors. (A certain rare version of this watch, dubbed the “Pac-Man,” is particularly sought-after.)
In what has become a familiar story, Nivada Grenchen folded in the 1980s, but has since relaunched to much fanfare, reissuing new versions of the Antarctic, the Depthmaster, and, most notably, the Chronomaster. (Certain versions have even been fitted with refurbished Valjoux hand-wound movements.) In a sea of modern brands cashing in on the cachet of long-defunct names, this is one example of a company doing vintage reissues right.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.