Nivada Grenchen X Analog:Shift Chronomaster 'Big Eye' Yachting Limited Edition

In the post-War era, as yachting became a preferred summertime activity of the leisure class, a new type of chronograph function was developed specifically for skippers: the regatta timer. These special watches were essentially modified chronographs meant for counting down the start to a boating race, but their colorful and creative designs from myriad brands have ensured that they became popular with all manner of outdoorsmen, and in the years that followed, enthusiast collectors.

In the spirit of these vintage regatta timers, Analog:Shift is proud to present the Nivada Grenchen X Analog:Shift Chronomaster “Big Eye” LE. An edition of just 100 pieces, this watch is the result of a partnership with the reborn independent brand Nivada Grenchen, a watchmaker with a reputation for creating some of the most capable tool watches on the market, designed with a nod to their vintage predecessors.

One of Nivada Grenchen's most beloved heritage designs is the Chronomaster, which boasted an impressive 200m of water resistance and contained features for divers, drivers, and aviators. Though the brand fell dormant for some years, it was relaunched under the leadership of Guillaume Laidet, who marked this rebirth with the recreation of the Chronomaster in various guises.

Our Chronomaster “Big Eye” Yachting Limited Edition captures all that we love about Nivada Grenchen in a single piece. Built upon the platform of the brand’s most iconic model, the “Big Eye” Yachting gives off both a sporty and casual chic vibe, taking us back to the 1960s when the tool watch became an elegant addition to every wrist.

Inside its polished and satin-brushed 38mm case beats a manually-wound Sellita SW510 BH B chronograph movement with a 63-hour power reserve. Vintage watch enthusiasts will surely appreciate this subtle detail, as it's notoriously difficult to find a vintage homage piece of this variety paired with a manually-wound movement. Lucky for us, Nivada Grenchen is prepared to go the horological distance to connect their contemporary watches with tool watch past.

The watch's satin silver dial is a riff on vintage examples, featuring historically-accurate elements from their back catalog while refreshing the design and colorway with a look to the future. The dial is set under a domed sapphire crystal, a piece of modern technology that echoes the aesthetic of acrylic used on the original models while offering improved durability and scratch resistance. The dial itself is clean and uncluttered, making it both a focal point of the watch, and highly legible. With applied indices, a luminous 'baton' handset, and a printed black 1/5th-seconds scale, it immediately recalls classic, 20th-century chronographs. The bi-directional rotating bezel, meanwhile, boasts not only a 60-minute diving scale, but also a 12-hour scale, which can be used to track a second time zone. Its aluminum surface is finished in light grey, giving it a 'ghosted' patina-like vibe.

A bright orange seconds lollipop hand adds a flash of color to the handset, while two subsidiary dials — including a multicolored oversized 'Big Eye' 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and a black 60-minute register at 9 o'clock — are accented in contrasting colors to further aid in legibility. Look closely at the 3 o'clock counter and you'll notice a 10-minute countdown scale used to time the start of a regatta.

The most recent addition to our line of new timepiece collaborations, the 'Big Eye' Yachting also marks the first time that Analog:Shift branding has been used on a dial - a nod to Nivada's rich history in private label manufacturing and retailer editions. We're thrilled to be starting our collaboration with Nivada Grenchen with such an exciting and meaningful chronograph - just in time for a season on the water!

This handsome limited edition is presented on a stainless steel beads of rice bracelet to reinforce the underlying vintage theme, but would look equally at home on a variety of straps that can be used to pull out the bright colors on the dial. Vintage-inspired with modern appointments and killer looks, we think it's the perfect summertime watch, sure — but will do faithful duty all year round.

Be sure to nab one before they're gone!

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 one-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.