1960's Nivada Grenchen Aviator Sea Diver Chronograph 9989-8222

Nivada (or Nivada Grenchen, or Croton in the States) should be a familiar name to vintage watch collectors. Founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in the 1920s by Jacob Schneider, Nivada was one of the first brands to manufacture automatic watches. Nivada embraced other innovations as well, producing waterproof and “rustless” watches that would stand up to the rigors of the outdoors.

They faced their ultimate test in the mid-1950s, when watches made by Nivada went to the South Pole in Operation Deep Freeze. During this operation, led by Admiral Richard Byrd of the U.S. Navy, Americans first set foot on the South Pole. Members of Byrd’s crew wore Nivada Grenchen Antarctics, which cemented the brand’s reputation as a producer of watches for men of action and adventure.

The watches that the brand produced throughout the 1960s did well to uphold Nivada’s reputation, like this watch: the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver.

The name says it all, really. This was an age of action and exploration, when no region of the world was left untouched. Jet travel made it possible to fly from Paris to New York in one day, and the popularity of SCUBA diving meant that more and more people were delving into the deepest recesses of the ocean.

Watch brands began rolling out specialized watches to suit every need, from driving, to flying, to diving, and everything in between.

Information: 250333

Nivada Grenchen Aviator Sea Diver Chronograph 9989-8222

Reference: 9989-8222

Serial: 4,00X,XXX

Circa: 1960’s

Dial: Tritium

Hands: Tritium

Bracelet: Delugs Pueblo Slim Dark Brown

Case Size: 38mm x 13mm Thickness

Lug Width: 20mm

Case Metal: Stainless Steel

Movement: Valjoux 92 - Manual - Running (-35s/d 275 amp)

Functions: HMS, Chronograph

Box and Papers: No box or papers - watch only

Crystal: Plexiglass

Bracelet size: 7.5”

Condition:

Case has scratches with some normal wear for a vintage watch. Strap is brand new from Delugs. Dial has a few spots in the red regatta counter, but overall the matte finish is accompnied with great beige patina markers. Hands have some scratching with lume becoming a beige patina. Bezel has faded. Watch runs (-35s/d 275 amp).