Origin

The story of Nivada Grenchen begins in 1926 in Grenchen, Switzerland, one of the historic epicentres of Swiss watchmaking. By 1939, the brand already enjoyed recognition within the Swiss watch industry and took part in national trade exhibitions.

From day one, Nivada's philosophy has always placed precision and function above the purely aesthetic. That tool-watch vocation, conceived to accompany explorers, divers, pilots and adventurers, would define the brand's character throughout its history.

Key milestones in its history

• 1954 — Presentation of the Antarctic, built on the base of the Nivada Aquamatic, becomes the first wristwatch to reach the Antarctic continent.
• 1955-1956 — The Antarctic is put to the test by the United States Navy during Operation Deep Freeze I, the scientific-military mission to establish permanent research stations in Antarctica; the watch withstands sub-zero temperatures, preventing its oils from thickening.

• 1961 — Launch of the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, a multifunction chronograph with nine functions combining a chronometer with tachymeter scale, diving watch, aviator's watch, timer, regatta countdown and second time zone indicator, water resistant to 100 metres.

• 1964 — The Depthomatic joins the catalogue as one of the first automatic diving watches with an integrated depth gauge and certified water resistance of 200 metres.
• 1965 — Nivada Grenchen introduces the Depthmaster, with certified water resistance of 1,000 metres, placing it among the world's first watches designed for deep-sea diving.

• The late nineteen-seventies — The F77 embraces the decade's bold design language with sharp lines and an integrated steel bracelet, bringing a breath of fresh air to Swiss watch design.
• 2018 — French entrepreneur Guillaume Laidet, with previous experience at firms such as Zenith, Girard-Perregaux and Jaeger-LeCoultre, revives Nivada Grenchen and brings back the Chronomaster as the flagship piece of the relaunch.
• 2020 onwards — The reissued brand presents new versions of the Chronomaster and the Antarctic with Sellita movements, assembled in Grenchen, remaining faithful to the historic design while incorporating contemporary manufacturing standards.

The brand today

Following its rebirth, it has won the favour of collectors and specialist media such as Hodinkee, Fratello and Worn & Wound thanks to its fidelity to the original design and a value for money rarely seen in Swiss vintage-inspired watchmaking. The brand operates today as an independent firm, with production centred in Grenchen and Sellita or Soprod movements, precisely reissuing its historic icons, but with contemporary materials.

And 2026 marks one hundred years since its founding, with the philosophy that gave rise to it still intact.