Among the vast world of vintage timepieces, there is no doubt that vintage dive watches hold a special place in the hearts of many collectors, ourselves included. With their simple, clean designs and reliable, robust movements, the tool watches of the 1960s and 1970s were built to accompany the adventurer across the globe and to keep time at its great heights as well as its dark depths.
Given the popularity of the style (even to this day), there are hundreds of interesting variants from dozens of companies. Though these companies all, for the most part, ceased production due to the ravages of the Quartz Crisis, their watches remain — all with a story to tell and a unique take on a tried-and-true theme. Among these, vintage dive watches are some of the most attractive; even when relegated to desk duty, there's just something so right about a vintage dive watch on your wrist.
Nivada (or Nivada Grenchen) should be a familiar name to vintage watch collectors. Their sporty diver's chronograph, the Chronomaster (or even sometimes the Chronoking) Aviator Sea Diver, has been gaining well-deserved traction on the vintage chronograph circuit. But in the 1960s the brand was also a trailblazer in the realm of dive watches, producing handsome examples, even some, such as the Depthmaster, with a groundbreaking 1000m depth rating!
This particular example, an Antarctic Diver, features a 41mm stainless steel cushion case with a bi-directional bezel to monitor elapsed time underwater. Paired with a beautifully domed, period-appropriate, acrylic crystal, the tritium sunburst dial has aged to a warm bronze hue. The matching 'baton' handset and indices have also developed a beautiful, even patina.
Powered by self-winding movement with a signed rotor, this Nivada is fitted to a black Tropic strap, perfectly suited for deep-sea adventures.
If you're looking for a time capsule to a more carefree time, where exploration was at the forefront of the zeitgeist. This Antarctic Diver will take you there!