Exuding purpose, strength, and elegance in any setting, this dive watch looks and performs admirably – on the Barrier Reef or in the Boardroom: Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster ‘Pac-Man’ Bronze.
The first dive watch to break the 1,000-meter barrier
Introduced in 1965, the Depthmaster was the very first dive watch to be rated for a depth of 1,000 meters, setting a remarkable record. At the time, most dedicated dive tool watches were water-resistant to 100 meters, and only a select few to 200 meters. Few brands were as committed to innovation, and to pushing the limits, as Nivada Grenchen – who consistently proved it with their watches since 1926.
15 years later, in 1980, a Japanese arcade game would also take the world by storm – and eventually inspire the sobriquet for that ‘dive watch with those out-of-this-world index numerals’: ‘Pac-Man’
Bronze – the metal of monuments and marine hardware
Bronze busts and statues are testaments to the ages. From small screws to huge propellers, bronze is also a material of choice in the marine environment. This is due to the alloy’s particular resistance to corrosion. Historically, bronze has always been composed of copper and tin (though it may also incorporate metals such as phosphorus, nickel, manganese and zinc).
For the Depthmaster Bronze, Nivada Grenchen opted for a CuAl8 copper-aluminium bronze alloy – consisting of 92% copper plus 8% aluminium. This is because the aluminium oxides that form on the surface as a result of exposure make the metal even more corrosion-resistant.
Depthmaster Bronze – 100% bespoke by its very nature
This brings us to the particular appeal of bronze: the patina that develops over time. And here the CuAl8 alloy develops a subtler, more even colouration over time. More importantly, the watch’s patina is directly influenced by the wearer’s particular skin chemistry and the environment in which it is worn. This means that no two Depthmaster Bronze watches will ever be alike. At the same time, you can bring back its original bright lustre at any time, like pressing reset.
Not just different, special
The original Depthmaster always stood out from the fray of dive watches, which typically feature a round case, a rotating bezel, and round luminous markers. Instead, the Depthmaster came in a 38mm cushion case with robust lugs, a thick metal bezel with a knurled edge but no insert, and in some versions, highly unique (and therefore highly legible), luminous markers on the dial.
In this latest iteration of the Nivada Grenchen classic, the Depthmaster Bronze not only remains water resistant to 100 ATM (1,000m), but also features design touches that add a sport-chic sophistication to its norm-shattering design.
The black ceramic bezel insert, for one, offers a forceful contrast to the bronze and it makes the ‘Pac-Man’ numerals pop even more. A choice of straps, including ‘Tropic’ rubber, leather and ‘Racing’ (7 options), underscores the watch’s versatility and wearability in any setting or circumstance.
Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster ‘Pac-Man’ Bronze Technical Specifications
Ref. 14123A17 – Retail price: US$1750 / EUR 1650 / CHF 1600 (excluding VAT, exchange rates at time of writing)
Movement
- Calibre SOPROD P024, automatic, ball-bearing rotor, hacking seconds,
- 26 jewels
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Power reserve: 38 hours
Case
- Case material CuAl8 (copper-aluminum) bronze
- Dimensions 39mm width, 13mm thickness
- Caseback 316L stainless steel
- Water resistance: 100 ATM (1000 m), helium release valve
- Crystal: Sapphire
Dial
- Matte black with bronze-hued indexes, highlighted with Super-LumiNova®
Strap
- Rubber ‘Tropic’, leather, or ‘Racing’ (7 options)
About Nivada Grenchen
Nivada Grenchen timepieces have been an integral part of the Swiss watchmaking landscape since 1926 when Jacob Schneider founded the brand in Granges (known as Grenchen in Swiss-German). In 1976, his son Max took over the business. In the United States, the Croton Company served as the official distributor for all Nivada Grenchen watches, which explains why some timepieces bear the Croton signature or both the Croton and Nivada Grenchen logos.
As early as 1930, Nivada Grenchen was among the pioneering companies in crafting automatic watches, with its reputation for performance and reliability under extreme conditions firmly established. In 1965, the brand set a benchmark with the introduction of the Depthmaster rated to a depth of 1,000 meters. It would become one of Nivada Grenchen’s biggest best-sellers until it was discontinued in the late 1970s. After years of dormancy, it was under the impulse of Guillaume Laidet in 2018 that the brand was revived with its two iconic models, the famous Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver and the iconic Depthmaster.