Nivada Grenchen Debuts The Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver Meca-Quartz Watch

A big a part of the enchantment of classic reissue watches is having the ability to take pleasure in a fan-favorite retro design or uncommon historic piece with out the concern of doubtless damaging a fragile, irreplaceable, or doubtlessly very costly classic collectible. Except the particular watch is recreating some legendary mannequin that merely isn’t attainable (both as a consequence of worth level or availability), classic reissue items are arguably most satisfying when they’re positioned on the reasonably priced finish of the worth spectrum. Nivada Grenchen appears to acknowledge this, and as a follow-up to its profitable meca-quartz Datomaster that was unveiled final yr, has simply launched a brand new restricted version model of the Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver for 2023 that’s powered by a meca-quartz motion and priced at lower than $500.

Crafted from 316L stainless-steel, the case of the Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver presents the same general profile to the model’s varied Chronomaster fashions. General, it measures 38mm in diameter by 12.95mm-thick. Completed with brushed and polished surfaces, the lugs function massive tapered bevels and have drilled spring bar holes for simple strap adjustments and a correct classic look. Fitted to the highest of the case is a double domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. This ingredient is surrounded by a bidirectional rotating bezel with a black anodized aluminum insert that has a 60-minute elapsed time scale. A signed crown and pump-style pushers protrude from the three o’clock facet of the case and supply entry to the motion, whereas a strong screw-down stainless-steel caseback helps to create 100 meters of water resistance.

The matte black dial fitted to the meca-quartz Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver contains a trio of aged silver subdials, together with a set of baton formed hour markers which can be completed with Tremendous-LumiNova. Surrounding the periphery of the dial is a skinny tachymeter scale, whereas the “Nivada Grenchen Chronoking” branding seems slightly below the 12 o’clock marker. The trio of centrally-mounted fingers obtain black completed facilities to present them considerably of a floating look, and identical to various different chronograph watches, the timekeeping fingers and chronograph fingers are coloration coordinated to assist with legibility. With that in thoughts, the colour coding for the fingers is a bit mismatched. As an alternative of getting solely the chronograph fingers completed pink, it’s in the end the central chronograph seconds hand, together with the 24-hour hand and working seconds hand for the time that obtain a pink end.

Powering the brand new Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver is the Seiko VK64 meca-quartz chronograph motion, which is a favourite amongst many unbiased manufacturers working on the reasonably priced finish of the worth spectrum. Like different meca-quartz calibers, the Seiko VK64 is powered by a battery and depends on quartz timekeeping know-how. Nonetheless, it makes use of a conventional system of cams and gears to function its chronograph mechanism. Since it’s in the end nonetheless a quartz motion, the Seiko VK64 advantages from the accuracy, sturdiness, and affordability that’s inherent to all quartz calibers, whereas nonetheless providing the snappy really feel and clean movement of a conventional mechanical chronograph. That mentioned, because the Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver Meca-Quartz contains a working seconds hand on the 6 o’clock location (one thing many different manufacturers utilizing this motion select to omit), you’ll nonetheless see the once-per-second tick that serves as an ever-present reminder that the watch is in the end nonetheless powered by a battery.

Regardless of being named the Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver, the brand new meca-quartz powered model isn’t a precise aesthetic recreation of the unique classic mannequin. Whereas classic examples function a two-register format and a date window on the slightly uncommon 12 o’clock location, the brand new Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver Meca-Quartz opts for a three-register format and lacks a date show totally. The choice to alter from two to a few subdials is a bit puzzling, because it ensures a once-per-second ticking movement for the working seconds hand, and partially defeats the aesthetic attract of utilizing a meca-quartz motion within the first place. Equally, not together with a date show additionally looks as if a little bit of an uncommon determination on this specific occasion, because the Seiko VK64 naturally features a calendar operate. Historic inconsistencies apart, by choosing a meca-quartz motion, the brand new Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver Meca-Quartz is ready to supply the same general look to the model’s in style Chronomaster fashions at lower than one third of the worth.

Like different up to date Nivada Grenchen watches, the Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver Meca-Quartz is out there with a wide range of completely different strap and bracelet choices together with every part from leather-based and rubber straps to a beads of rice bracelet, plus a handful of further choices from the third-party strap/bracelet producer Forstner. That mentioned, with normal 20mm lugs and the extra comfort of drilled spring bar holes, a close to limitless number of aftermarket choices will even be appropriate. Pricing for the Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver Meca-Quartz begins out at $479 USD as of press time and will increase from there relying on the specified strap or bracelet, which makes it one of the vital reasonably priced fashions within the model’s whole lineup. That mentioned, manufacturing of the Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver Meca-Quartz might be restricted to simply 100 examples, so slightly than being a budget-friendly entry level into the model’s trendy catalog, it will possible find yourself being a mannequin that can rapidly be picked up by current collectors. For extra data on the Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Aviator Sea Diver Meca-Quartz, please go to the model’s web site.