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In the event you’ve been following the classic watch market, even peripherally, it’s been inconceivable to disregard the skyrocketing costs. Certain, there’s at all times been a marketplace for classic items from the large Swiss manufacturers — Rolex, Omega, Zenith, and many others. — however as these watches grew to become an increasing number of unattainable, savvy collectors appeared to the darker, dustier corners of the classic market to unearth some underrated beauties from the previous. Amongst these gems are watches from the multitudinous victims of the quartz disaster — manufacturers that made high quality computerized and manual-wind watches however have been unable to compete when cheap, correct quartz watches started dominating the market. But, even these gems from long-extinct manufacturers have been quickly mined with costs hovering as these historic items have been unearthed and rediscovered by the classic market.
Capitalizing on the renewed curiosity in classic (and vintage-inspired) watches, a few of these long-defunct manufacturers, comparable to Nivada Grenchen, have been resurrected and begun to supply re-issues of heritage items from their lineup. And let’s face it, as fulfilling as it may be to gather classic watches, not everyone seems to be within the challenges that include the method and need a sturdy, dependable watch with all the trendy accouterments (sapphire crystal, excessive water resistance, fashionable motion). That’s precisely what Nivada has produced in its re-issue of the Nivada Antarctic.
First produced in 1950, the Nivada Antarctic was the model’s first computerized, water resistant wristwatch and was designed to accompany members of the American Navy’s Deep Freeze 1 expedition to the South Pole that came about in 1955-1956. If the aesthetics of Nivada Antarctic and the connection to frigid-weather exploration appear to ring some acquainted bells and make you consider the Rolex Explorer, you’re not far off the mark. It was solely two years earlier, in 1953, that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the primary ascent of Everest. Certain, Amundsen had already reached the South Pole in 1911, so the Deep Freeze expedition doesn’t have the identical cachet, however similar to the Rolex Explorer (OK, the Oyster Perpetual that will later grow to be the Explorer), the Nivada Antarctic was purpose-built for excessive circumstances.
Although the Nivada Antarctic retains a lot of the stylistic cues of the unique, it does up the scale from 34mm to a extra fashionable 38mm — a measurement that ought to work for a wide variety of wrists, but retains a little bit of that classic attraction. Add to {that a} modest 11.5mm case peak, curved lugs, and 20mm lug width, and the scale are spot-on for this classic re-issue. The chrome steel case options a mixture of brushed and polished surfaces, with bevelling and sharp strains including visible curiosity and protecting the case from trying utilitarian. Flip the watch over and also you’re greeted with a deeply engraved golden inlay on the caseback that pays tribute to the Deep Freeze Expedition. It’s a captivating contact. Protecting the watch working is the Sellita SW200-1 computerized motion, a Swiss clone of the ETA 2824-2 that options 28.8kbph, a 38-hour energy reserve, and a date perform — definitely a strong alternative of motion on the sub-$1,000 worth level.
The Antarctic is on the market in a number of completely different colorways and choices. Right here, we’re trying on the grey (although I’d name it extra of a silver/white) and cream dial variations, however you even have a alternative of black or blue. All are completed with gentle vertical brushing, including texture to the dial. The Antarctic line consists of date/no date choices, Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12, or a less complicated structure with elongated diamond indices and an Arabic numeral solely at 12. The numerals are a cool factor with a singular swooping typography that feels each bit mid-century. The dauphine palms play properly with the diamond indices and, whereas the dearth of lume can be a adverse for some, it does end in a strong watch that may gown up extra simply than a basic sports activities watch — very similar to a overwhelming majority of Grand Seiko watches.
The Nivada Antarctic comes with a variety of strap choices together with a number of colours of leather-based, a beads of rice bracelet, or the expandable three-link bracelet featured right here (consider the basic Speidel Twist-o-Flex bracelets). The three-link goes to be a love-it-or-hate-it affair, because it comes with a veritable guidelines of parts that get watch nerds frothing: rivets on the hyperlinks (very similar to the Tudor Black Bay 58), straight end-links that don’t contour to the case, fast launch spring bars, and polished heart hyperlinks. The result’s a bracelet that appears very a lot of the period, however whether or not that’s a great or dangerous factor will most likely come all the way down to how you are feeling about classic watches on the whole. Personally, I’d be probably to put on the Antarctic on leather-based, however there’s no denying the consolation of expandable bracelets.
The Nivada Antarctic is a welcome classic re-issue, particularly seeing because the final a number of years have been dominated by Seventies-inspired dive watches. The simplicity of the dial and design make it a flexible choice that may simply be dressed up and although few persons are prone to be heading all the way down to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station anytime quickly, the Antarctic will definitely be greater than able to some out of doors adventuring. The Nivada Antarctic is priced at 830 CHF on bracelet or 650 CHF on leather-based and extra info might be discovered on the model’s web site.
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