Nivada Grenchen launches the sensational new Chronosport 38 mm
The Chronosport is a vintage inspired chronograph, based on a Nivada Grenchen prototype from the 1970’s.
“A previously unreleased vintage chronograph prototype is gearing up for a sensational debut.”
Nivada Grenchen, a Swiss timepiece brand from 1926, has just launched the Chronosport. It is a vintage inspired 38 mm case size chronograph, based on a Nivada Grenchen 1970’s prototype, which never made it to commercial production. “It’s estimated that only 20 prototypes of this watch were produced in the 70’s.”
Guillaume Laidet, a watch industry entrepreneur who took the reins of Nivada Grenchen in 2018, came across a Chronosport prototype on an auction site. After that, “it was pure serendipity. Seconds later, he posted a photo on his social media, and the Insta instantly went viral, sparking huge demand for a reissue from the community.”
Key Features
“The new Chronosport stands out for its elegant design, advanced technical features, and most notably, its one-of-a-kind face.”
Left: “White version”. Right: “Yellow version”.
Dial
Images are of both the “White version” and Yellow version”.
The Chronosport’s dial was designed by Jean Singer, a renown dial maker and considered “one of the greatest dial makers in Switzerland.” His work includes the dials of the Omega Speedmaster Racing and TAG Heuer Skipper. The Chronosport is available in two dial versions, featuring white or yellow accents. Its dial features include:
– It features a black dial, “a textured matte black background.”
– The two embossed subdials at 9 o’clock (small-seconds counter) and 12 o’clock (30-minute counter) are “in taupe with a hint of khaki”.
– The “white version” features a white dot on the unidirectional bezel, hour and minute hands coated with white Super-LumiNova®, and a white dot each on its 9-pointed baton-shaped hour-markers.
– The “yellow version” features a yellow dot on the unidirectional bezel, hour and minute hands coated with yellow Super-LumiNova®, and a yellow dot each on its 9-pointed baton-shaped hour-markers.
– The outer edge of the dial features a tachymeter scale, “allowing you to measure speed over a known distance, a technical feature cherished by pilots and race car drivers.”
– Date window is at 3 o’clock.
Functions
The Chronosport’s functions include:
– Central hours and minutes.
– Central chronograph seconds hand.
– Subdial at 9 o’clock: Small-seconds counter.
– Subdial at 12 o’clock: 30-minutes counter.
– Date window at 3 o’clock.
Case
The Chronosport’s case features include:
– Its case is made of 316L stainless steel, featuring a polished and vertical brushed finish.
– It features a unidirectional bezel, which is fluted and made of aluminium.
– Its case diameter is 38 mm and case thickness is 15.70 mm.
– On its dial side, it features a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.
– It features a solid, screw-in caseback. “Nivada Grenchen” and the brand’s logo is prominently displayed on its centre, with other typical text surrounding it.
– It is water resistant up to 20 ATM, approximately 200 metres.
– A total of 10 strap options are available, including metal, leather, and fabric options.
– Each strap options comer with a push button deployant buckle made of 316L stainless steel.
Movement
The Chronosport is powered by a modified Valjoux-7750 ETA, a robust, dependable, tried and tested mechanical automatic movement. Its features include:
– It powers the hours, minutes, central chronograph seconds, small-seconds (9 o’clock), 30-minute counter (12 o’clock) and date. (The stock 7750 features day of the week at 6 o’clock though not used on the Chronosport.)
– The stock 7750 has a diameter of 30.00 mm and a thickness of 7.90 mm.
– A “three-plane cam system” powers the chronograph functions.
– It features an “Etachron regulator and balance spring stud.”
– It features a Incabloc shock-protection device.
– It features a hacking-seconds or stop-seconds device.
– It has 25 jewels.
– It beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph or 4 Hz.
– It has a power reserve of 42 hours.
“We love the two counters at 9 and 12 o’clock and this very Singer dial pattern on the sub counters fonts such as the famous Rolex Daytona dials. We also love this very racy 38 mm case shape and the integration of the bidirectional bezel. We are using an automatic ETA 7750 modified to fit the two counters and make the beast moving.” Guillaume Laidet, Entrepreneur.
Our Thoughts
The Nivada Grenchen Chronosport ticks several boxes.
– It is a faithful reissue of a handsome 1970’s prototype.
– Its centrepiece is its beautiful dial – designed by Jean Singer – one of the best in the industry.
– It is powered by a proven automatic movement, easily serviceable by a competent watchmaker worldwide, and in decades to come.
– Its price makes it accessible to a broader segment of collectors.
– Its design and value proposition appeals to a both the beginner and the most seasoned collectors, equally at home in any collection.
– My thoughts are based on the supporting information and images, based on which I would feel confident enough to purchase one online. The only challenge I would face would be which dial (white or yellow accents) and strap option to choose.
– We look forward to seeing the Chronosport in the flesh and doing a hands-on review.
Additional Information
Name: Nivada Grenchen Chronosport
There are 2 dial versions and 10 strap options each.
Retail Price: United States Dollar (USD): 2180.00 / Euro (EUR): 2035.00 / Swiss Franc (CHF): 1960.00 / Great Britain Pounds (GBP): 1725.00
The 4-week pre-order begin on 25th July 2024 at 4:00 PM CEST (Central European Summer Time). Deliveries in October 2024.
Please visit the Nivada Grenchen website or Instagram page for further details and information.
The 10 images are of all the strap versions – metal, leather, and fabric, displayed in a random sequence.
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