Three Months with the Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Broad Arrow – Inter.Bezel: A Vintage Soul with Daily Grit
As a lifelong fan of vintage-inspired chronographs, the Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Broad Arrow with the Inter.Bezel has been a surprisingly perfect addition to my collection. After wearing it nearly every day for the past three months, I can confidently say that this watch punches well above its weight—not just in terms of design and history, but in sheer wearability and presence on the wrist.
Right out of the box, the Chronomaster feels like a love letter to mid-century tool watches. The Inter.Bezel model, with its bi-directional inner bezel operated via the second crown, adds a unique touch of functionality that blends seamlessly into the design. It’s subtle, almost easy to miss, but once you start using it to time everything from coffee brews to parking meters, it becomes second nature. The broad arrow handset gives the dial a vintage military flavor without being too shouty about it—bold, legible, and balanced against the twin-register layout and tasteful partial red countdown minute counter for regatta timing or general timing tasks.
But the real star of the show, at least for me, has been the flat link bracelet. It’s nothing short of excellent. The vintage-style taper gives the watch an elegant but sporty feel, and the articulation of the links means it drapes across the wrist effortlessly. It's light, it breathes well, and it avoids that clunky, overly modern feel that so many retro-inspired watches can't seem to escape. It’s become one of the most comfortable bracelets I’ve ever worn—surprisingly so for something that looks so classic.
Over the past 90 days, the watch has aged with me. The acrylic crystal already has a few light swirls—nothing offensive, just the kind of character that builds over time. The manual-wind Landeron 70 works like a charm, and I genuinely enjoy the daily ritual of winding it. Power reserve has been solid, chronograph action is crisp, and reset is satisfying every time. It’s also refreshingly versatile—dressed up on the bracelet, or rugged and vintage on a NATO or leather strap.
Nivada Grenchen has done something special here. The Chronomaster Broad Arrow – Inter.Bezel doesn’t feel like a tribute to the past—it feels like a continuation of it. As someone who’s lived with it for a few months now, it’s not just a cool vintage-inspired chronograph—it’s a reliable, stylish, and character-rich daily companion that I look forward to putting on every morning.
