Fresh on the heels of the first edition’s runaway success, Nivada Grenchen presents a new version of its meca-quartz hybrid model, as vintage as ever – and as ever equipped with a quartz movement for the time functions and a mechanical module for the chronograph, the Chronoking “Paul Newman” Orange.
Chronoking “Paul Newman” Orange – The Pop Years!
Never have the 70s have been so hip – the colours, the materials, the design… Vintage chronographs are surfing on the trend and have never been so popular. They’re bouncing back big time, much to the delight of collectors and those nostalgic not only for disco.
For this reissue, Nivada Grenchen worked on a new version of its fabled Chronomaster, inspired by a vintage Chronoking dial straight out of those wild and wonderful seventies. Originally sporting “Paul Newman”-style sub-dials, it was on a tonneau case housing a Valjoux 72 movement and behind this very special dial, a very special name: Jean Singer, a leading Swiss dial maker based in La Chaux-de-Fonds and highly regarded for producing some of the most iconic and collectible exotic dials the watchmaking world ever had and has to offer. Dials such as the striking Speedmaster Racing, the punchy Heuer Skipper or Universal’s intensely blue Nina were all made by the one and only Jean Singer.
This new version of the Nivada Chronoking is flamboyantly 70s, setting all the codes of this global success on fire. Tan sub-dials – with the telltale art deco-style “Newman” typography – that light up the black dial, the minute track an orange gradient; the combination creates an unusual sense of depth.
Collectors will have a 5-week window to pre-order, from July 27th to August 31st, 2023. This being a limited edition, all orders will be honoured and delivered in September and October.
Quartz precision, mechanical feel
The Nivada Chronoking, assembled in Switzerland, houses the tried and trusted Seiko VK64A meca-quartz movement. Press the stopwatch pusher and watch the chronograph hand sweep over the dial with that same smoothness we love in a mechanical watch. The meca-quartz movement combines the precision of quartz with the feel of a self-winding mechanical movement, the best of old-school and avant-garde. The quartz module keeps the time, while the mechanical assembly keeps the chronograph running smoothly. That’s why they are often referred to as hybrid movements.
Chronoking “Paul Newman” Orange Technical Specifications
Limited Edition: 5-week pre-order campaign
Movement
- Seiko VK64 meca-quartz,
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, tachometer
Case
- 316L stainless steel
- Finishes: Polished and brushed
- Diameter: 38mm
- Thickness: 13.7mm
- Crystal: Double-domed sapphire crystal
- Bezel: Unidirectional rotating, aluminum
- Case back: Solid, screwed-in
- Water resistance: 10ATM (about 100 meters, 330 feet)
Strap
- Black “rallye leather”
Assembled in Switzerland
Retail price: 479 $/430 €/410CHF
Delivery in September-October 2023
About Nivada Grenchen
Nivada Grenchen watches have been part of the Swiss watchmaking landscape since 1926, when Jacob Schneider founded the brand in Grenchen. In 1976, his son Max took over the company. In the USA, the Croton Company was the official distributor of all Nivada Grenchen watches, which explains why some timepieces bear the Croton signature. In 1930, Nivada Grenchen was one of the first companies to manufacture automatic watches.
Launched in 1961 , the Chronomaster, a chronograph water-resistant to 200 meters, was one of Nivada Grenchen’s biggest best-sellers until it was discontinued in late 1970s. The Swiss brand had always been renowned for performance and reliability in extreme conditions. In 2018, after years of dormancy, the brand was reborn under the impetus of Guillaume Laidet with two iconic models, including the famous Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver.