The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

Nivada Grenchen is a brand that has interested me for a long time, but I was less enthusiastic about some of their more classical designs. When I saw this sandwich dial variant of the Aquamar, it scratched that "doesn't look like everything else" itch that drives so many of my watch purchases! :-)
The watch itself is *very* well put together. The bi-directional bezel is not to my taste, but that's a matter of preference. I like the restraint, the overall proportions of the watch (38mm does not wear small - it feels perfectly proportioned on the wrist). The hands are beautifully finished, the caseback is refined, and the overall aesthetic is pleasing. My only gripe is with the hour markers - the cutouts on the dial are too small for the lume to really shine. Either the cutouts should've been slightly wider or they should've used better lume. Again, the photos do not reflect just how poor the lume is in real life - the watch is barely legible.

Beautiful dial, hands, & idea, but poor hour markers!

I've wanted this limited edition for a long time, especially in with the smoke-grey dial. So when I finally found one on sale, I snapped it up. The dial does not disappoint in-person, I do love the colorway and the grey leather strap. However, the watch overall is a disappointment, for 2 reasons.
1) Normally I prefer watches right around ~41mm for my wrist. This watch, even though it is nominally 42, wears much bigger - even though it is quite svelte at only 13.9mm thick. I cannot account for this: the case is thin enough, the lugs are curved, and it still isn't comfortable. I was quite surprised by this, especially as I have a much thicker Panerai 42mm that wears much better - even on a NATO strap!
2) The lume is poor. I included an image that makes the lume appear *significantly* better than it is. In real life, it is so faint as to be almost illegible. This is a crying shame on such a watch, with so much space for lume.

Beautiful dial and colorway, should be 40mm!

While it's no MB&F, this skeletonized watch with curved (mineral) glass and curved numerals and indices is still a pleasure to behold on the wrist! Even though it's tall, it sits snugly against my wrist, and the rubber strap is one of the most supple I've ever worn. While the display caseback isn't really to my taste for an undecorated movement, it is very interesting to see how deep into the case the movement is placed - it is quite close to the surface of the top crystal, so the appearance is not just due to magnification effects. Overall, a quirky watch for special occasions!

A transparent UFO on the wrist

As a collector and former engineer, I love asymmetry and innovative or unusual designs. So when I first saw Ressence, I knew I had to have one. In 2023, a Type One came up at auction, and I managed to win it for a reasonable price. It's one of the most visually impressive pieces of engineering that I've ever worn on my wrist.
The dial, of course, is what steals the show. Strictly speaking, the display is not an entirely new way of organizing time: it is analogous to a regulator, with separate indicators for hours, minutes, and running seconds rather than traditional, co-axial hands. Ressence’s achievement is in making that familiar concept feel completely unfamiliar: the whole dial is a kinetic surface, with time rotating around the watch face.

Watching time on this “orbital” display reminds me of a tiny solar system, or of the Earth slowly rotating on its (slightly off-center) axis. A true joy!

Although it was listed as a Type 1S, the watch appears to be an early production Type One. The rotor is engraved with “Ressence Antwerp Type One 006,” and the entire transparent caseback is turned in order to set the time (unlike later versions with the pull-out lever).

The watch is 13.2mm thick and is well-proportioned to its 42mm case. It wears smaller than its dimensions, thanks to its curved lugs, and the titanium construction keeps the weight at only 75g. The strap is a comfortable blend of leather backing and a textured textile, the clasp is solid, and the lume is great – you’d not think it was so well lumed from the dial and its colors.

While I really enjoy this watch, there are a few minor issues. The crownless design and incredibly smooth surfaces all around, while visually pure, also make setting the time more difficult than it could be. A subtle texture integrated into the edge of the caseback would’ve made it easier to grip without detracting from the aesthetic. This is almost certainly why later models adopted that aforementioned folding lever for winding and setting.

The caseback was also an issue for which I had to have the watch serviced: the time would shift while on the wrist! To their credit, Ressence repaired the watch for free (via Bucherer no less), no questions asked.

The lightness of the watch is also a double-edged sword. On the wrist it feels elegant and almost effortless, but in the hand the tactile experience lacks the reassuring density one expects from a five-figure mechanical watch.
Compounding that impression, the case makes a hollow rattling sound when shaken. Nothing appears to be wrong, but one consequence of such a light construction is that it can make the watch feel less substantial in the hand than its price would suggest.

Then again, for decades collectors have lived with (and many love) the “Rolex rattle,” so it’s not a deal-breaker, just an observation. 

The brushed surfaces of the champagne dial have a surprising amount of contrast to them, even in quite bright light, but because of the reflective surfaces, it’s nearly illegible in direct sunlight. It also takes a bit of time getting used to orienting the watch the right way up on the wrist.

Overall, though, I love this watch. It is wonderfully minimalist, innovative, and comfortable to wear. It isn’t the most practical mechanical watch ever made, but few watches genuinely challenge our assumptions about how time can be displayed. The Type One does exactly that, and more than a decade after its introduction it still feels different to anything else on the market—a rare achievement in modern watchmaking.

Ressence: a futuristic re-imaging of a regulator

The brand Nivada Grenchen was created in 1926 by Otto Wullimann, Hermann Schlindler and Jacob Schneider in Grenchen (Granges) in Switzerland with the ambition of offering reliable and precise watches at an affordable price. From 1939, it expanded in the United States thanks to a commercial agreement with the Croton Watch Company, based in New York, which imported watches under the Croton Nivada or simply Croton brands.
In 1950, she designed the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic, its first waterproof automatic watch which will be worn by members of the American navy during the Deep Freeze 1 expedition to the South Pole at the end of the 1950s. In 1965, it launched the Nivada Depthmaster waterproof to 1000 meters, before being severely impacted a few years later by the quartz crisis.
The brand Nivada Grenchen was taken over in 2018 by two collectors - R&eacute;mi Chabrat and Guillaume Laidet - who are reviving the historic models with Swiss-made reissues at reasonable prices. The range includes models like the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/nivada_grenchen/f77"> Nivada Grenchen F77</a>, the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/nivada_grenchen/chronoking_%22paul_newman%22">Nivada Grenchen Chronoking "Paul Newman"</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/nivada_grenchen/orange_boy"> Nivada Grenchen Orange Boy</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/nivada_grenchen/depthmaster"> Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster</a> et Nivada Grenchen Antarctic.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Nivada Grenchen watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Nivada Grenchen watches sold on the brand's website are changing between $450 And $4,900 depending on the models and finishes. Expect to pay $ 845 for a Nivada Grenchen Super Antartic and $ 1,995 for a Nivada Grenchen Chronoking.
Nivada Grenchen is an independent company and produces several thousand watches per year, all models combined. To choose a Nivada Grenchen that suits you best, The Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.
Check out the <a href="https://preprod.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">Ranking of the best Swiss watch brands</a>, including Nivada.
(Updated December 2023)

Apose&nbsp;est une marque horlog&egrave;re fran&ccedil;aise fond&eacute;e en&nbsp;2020 &agrave; Mulhouse (France) avec l&rsquo;ambition d&eacute;clar&eacute;e de b&acirc;tir une collection de montres fabriqu&eacute;es en France, automatique, haut de gamme, et au dessin &eacute;pur&eacute;.&nbsp;
<h3 class="p3">Histoire de la marque : mission 100 % France</h3>
N&eacute;e en pleine effervescence des micro-marques hexagonales, Apose revendique une d&eacute;marche &laquo; retour &agrave; la puret&eacute; &raquo; qui s&rsquo;oppose &agrave; la surench&egrave;re de complications et de styles criards. Le cap est clair - dessin minimaliste, composants sourc&eacute;s en France, assemblage local et partenariats tricolores (cadrans, aiguilles, bracelets et &eacute;crins&hellip;), le tout pilot&eacute; par Romain Thieriet, horloger talentueux et r&eacute;gional de l'&eacute;tape, ayant rejoit Apose d&egrave;s le d&eacute;but de l'aventure.
L&rsquo;objectif est de prouver qu&rsquo;une montre contemporaine et d&eacute;sirable peut &eacute;galement servir de vitrine au savoir-faire fran&ccedil;ais, si bien que la promesse d&rsquo;Apose tient dans l&rsquo;&eacute;quation &laquo; &eacute;l&eacute;gance fran&ccedil;aise, fiabilit&eacute; m&eacute;canique et cha&icirc;ne d&rsquo;approvisionnement localis&eacute;e &raquo;.
<h3 class="p3">Apose : design minimaliste et &eacute;l&eacute;gance subtile</h3>
L&rsquo;identit&eacute; formelle d&rsquo;Apose repose sur des volumes sobres et des contrastes ma&icirc;tris&eacute;s : carrure acier 316L aux facettes tendues, architecture de bo&icirc;tier souvent &laquo; en trois &eacute;tages &raquo;, alternance de bross&eacute;s et polis, cadrans &agrave; niveaux avec index sur&eacute;lev&eacute;s et aiguilles singuli&egrave;res. L&rsquo;ergonomie se veut universelle autour d&rsquo;un diam&egrave;tre signature de 40 mm et d&rsquo;une &eacute;paisseur contenue, avec des verres saphir trait&eacute;s antireflets et des &eacute;tanch&eacute;it&eacute;s r&eacute;alistes (jusqu&rsquo;&agrave; 10 ATM selon les r&eacute;f&eacute;rences). L&rsquo;objectif &eacute;tant de faire d&rsquo;une montre de ville, un compagnon &laquo; tous les jours &raquo; plut&ocirc;t qu&rsquo;un objet de vitrine, d&rsquo;o&ugrave; le fait que la lisibilit&eacute; et la tenue au port&eacute; priment syst&eacute;matiquement sur l&rsquo;effet de manche..
<h3 class="p3">Collections Apose : N&deg;3-100, Radial, Douz et Pur</h3>
La gamme Apose s&rsquo;articule en familles clairement diff&eacute;renci&eacute;es, dont l&rsquo;&eacute;volution illustre la mont&eacute;e en &laquo; francisation &raquo; des composants : la s&eacute;rie N&deg;3-100 (collection &agrave; composants exclusivement fran&ccedil;ais), les d&eacute;clinaisons Radial (anneau cannel&eacute; sur cadran), les collections Douz et Pur aux variantes esth&eacute;tiques plus &eacute;pur&eacute;es, chacune pens&eacute;e pour une allure chic au quotidien, plut&ocirc;t que sportive.
Les bracelets, propos&eacute;s en acier ou en cuir pleine fleur, ont &eacute;t&eacute; d&eacute;velopp&eacute;s notamment avec des chutes de cuir Longchamp sur certaines s&eacute;ries, consolidant l&rsquo;ADN d&rsquo;une montre urbaine fran&ccedil;aise qui assume ses choix de style sans recourir &agrave; des complications spectaculaires, de telle sorte que&nbsp;le choix entre les collections tient &agrave; l&rsquo;ambiance et aux styles ces cadrans.
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Apose n&deg;3-100 - S&eacute;rie limit&eacute;e &laquo; 100 % fran&ccedil;aise &raquo; : composants d&rsquo;origine hexagonale, bracelet issu de chutes de cuir Longchamp, mouvement fran&ccedil;ais Pequignet Initial (65 heures de r&eacute;serve).</li>
<li class="li1">Apose Radial - Cadran soulign&eacute; d&rsquo;un anneau cannel&eacute; anodis&eacute;, multiples coloris (Indigo, Azur, etc.), bracelet acier ou cuir et mouvement France &Eacute;bauches (44 heures de r&eacute;serve).</li>
<li class="li1">Apose Pur - La collection la plus minimaliste de Apose, mais qui en est aussi l&rsquo;essence m&ecirc;me&nbsp;: un cadran poli pour une profondeur de couleur intense. Mouvement France &Eacute;bauches (44 heures de r&eacute;serve).</li>
<li class="li1">Apose Douz - Variation plus sobre du cadran n&deg;3-100 avec mouvement France &Eacute;bauches (44 heures de r&eacute;serve).</li>
</ul>
En 2022, Apose franchit une &eacute;tape symbolique avec la&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/apose/n%C2%B03-100">Apose N&deg;3-100</a> : l&rsquo;&eacute;dition adopte le calibre fran&ccedil;ais &laquo; Initial &raquo; (65 heures de r&eacute;serve de marche, 4Hz, masse oscillante en tungst&egrave;ne) manufactur&eacute; par Pequignet, tandis que les bracelets r&eacute;alis&eacute;s &agrave; partir de chutes de cuir Longchamp viennent au service d&rsquo;un cahier des charges &laquo; 100 % France &raquo; des composants et de l&rsquo;assemblage. Cette configuration n&rsquo;a pas vocation &agrave; rendre obsol&egrave;tes les autres N&deg;3, mais &agrave; d&eacute;montrer la faisabilit&eacute; industrielle d&rsquo;un haut niveau de &laquo; Made in France &raquo; sur une montre de s&eacute;rie limit&eacute;e, c&rsquo;est-&agrave;-dire que le tour de force industriel sert d&rsquo;abord une coh&eacute;rence d&rsquo;ensemble design &agrave; la cha&icirc;ne d&rsquo;approvisionnement.
<h3 class="p3">Guide d&rsquo;achat Apose : comment choisir sa montre automatique fran&ccedil;aise ?</h3>
Pour s&eacute;lectionner votre Apose, commencez par la ligne : Apose Radial si vous aimez un cadran anim&eacute; par un anneau cannel&eacute; et des contrastes plus marqu&eacute;s, Apose N&deg;3-100 si la dimension &laquo; int&eacute;gralement fran&ccedil;aise &raquo; (y compris le mouvement Pequignet) est d&eacute;terminante, Apose Pur ou Apose Douz si vous voulez la sobri&eacute;t&eacute; maximale. Poursuivez par la couleur de cadran et la texture de bracelet (acier ou cuir faits main), puis v&eacute;rifiez le confort &agrave; 40 mm de diam&egrave;tre et l&rsquo;&eacute;paisseur au poignet. Enfin, gardez &agrave; l&rsquo;esprit que le v&eacute;ritable b&eacute;n&eacute;fice d&rsquo;une Apose r&eacute;side dans l&rsquo;&eacute;quilibre entre dessin, lisibilit&eacute; et provenance des composants.
<h3 class="p3">Conclusion</h3>
En quelques ann&eacute;es, Apose a impos&eacute; un style reconnaissable - coupe nette des volumes, cadrans architectur&eacute;s, bracelets soign&eacute;s - et une ambition rare de &laquo; francisation &raquo; int&eacute;grale de la gamme. La proposition est claire et transparente pour l&rsquo;acheteur : une montre automatique au dessin contemporain qui valorise un tissu de partenaires fran&ccedil;ais. Si vous h&eacute;sitez entre une Apose Radial ou une Apose N&deg;3-100 par exemple, pesez d&rsquo;abord votre rapport au &laquo; Made in France &raquo;, &agrave; la couleur et &agrave; la polyvalence ; et pour conforter votre d&eacute;cision par des retours concrets, fiez-vous aux avis clients Dialicious.
(Mise &agrave; jour Mars 2026)

Apose is a French watch brand founded in 2020 in Mulhouse (France) with the stated ambition of building a collection of watches made in France, automatic, high-end, and with a clean design.
<h3 dir="ltr">Brand story: 100% French mission</h3>
Born amidst the burgeoning French micro-brand scene, Apose champions a "return to purity" approach that opposes the overabundance of complications and flashy styles. The direction is clear -minimalist design, components sourced in France, local assembly and tricolor partnerships (dials, hands, bracelets and cases&hellip;), all managed by Romain Thieriet, a talented local watchmaker, who joined Apose from the beginning of the adventure.
The goal is to prove that a contemporary and desirable watch can also showcase French craftsmanship, so the promise of Apose lies in the equation "French elegance, mechanical reliability and a localized supply chain".
<h3 dir="ltr">Apose: minimalist design and subtle elegance</h3>
Apose's formal identity is based on understated volumes and controlled contrasts: a 316L steel case with taut facets, a case architecture often resembling three tiers, alternating brushed and polished finishes, and multi-level dials with raised hour markers and distinctive hands. The ergonomics are designed to be universal, centered around a signature 40mm diameter and a slim profile, with anti-reflective sapphire crystals and realistic water resistance (up to 10 ATM depending on the model). The aim is to create a dress watch, an everyday companion rather than a showpiece, hence the fact that readability and fit when worn always take precedence over the waouh effect.
<h3 dir="ltr">Apose Collections: N&deg;3-100, Radial, Douz and Pur</h3>
The Apose range is structured into clearly differentiated families, whose evolution illustrates the increasing "Frenchification" of the components: the N&deg;3-100 series (collection with exclusively French components), the Radial variations (fluted ring on dial), the Douz and Pur collections with more refined aesthetic variants, each designed for a chic everyday look, rather than a sporty one.
The bracelets, offered in steel or full-grain leather, were developed in particular using offcuts of Longchamp leather for certain series, reinforcing the DNA of a French urban watch that embraces its style choices without resorting to spectacular complications, so that the choice between the collections depends on the atmosphere and style of these dials.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Apose n&deg;3-100 - Limited series &ldquo;100% French&rdquo;: components of French origin, strap made from Longchamp leather hides, French Pequignet Initial movement (65 hours reserve).
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Apose Radial - Dial highlighted by an anodized fluted ring, multiple colours (Indigo, Azure, etc.), steel or leather bracelet and France &Eacute;bauches movement (44 hours reserve).
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Apose Pur - Apose's most minimalist collection, yet also its very essence: a polished dial for intense color depth. France &Eacute;bauches movement (44-hour power reserve).
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Apose Douz - A more understated variation of dial N&deg;3-100 with France &Eacute;bauches movement (44 hours power reserve).
</li>
</ul>
In 2022, Apose reached a symbolic milestone with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/apose/n%C2%B03-100">Apose N&deg;3-100</a> the edition adopts the French "Initial" caliber (65-hour power reserve, 4Hz, tungsten oscillating weight) manufactured by Pequignet, while the straps, made from Longchamp leather offcuts, serve a "100% French" specification for components and assembly. This configuration is not intended to make the other No. 3 models obsolete, but to demonstrate the industrial feasibility of a high level of "Made in France" on a limited-edition watch, meaning that the this industrial feat primarily serves to ensure overall design coherence across the supply chain.
<h3 dir="ltr">Apose Buying Guide: How to choose your French automatic watch?</h3>
To select your Apose, start with the line: Apose Radial if you like a dial enlivened by a fluted ring and more pronounced contrasts, Apose N&deg;3-100 if the "fully French" aspect (including the Pequignet movement) is crucial, Apose Pur or Apose Douz if you want maximum simplicity. Next, consider the dial color and bracelet texture (handmade steel or leather), then check the comfort at 40 mm in diameter and the thickness on the wrist. Finally, keep in mind that the true benefit of an Apose lies in the balance between design, legibility, and the origin of the components.
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
In just a few years, Apose has established a recognizable style- clean lines, architecturally designed dials, meticulously crafted straps - and a rare ambition to fully "Frenchify" the range. The proposition is clear and transparent for the buyer: an automatic watch with a contemporary design that showcases a network of French partners. If you are hesitating between an Apose Radial or an Apose N&deg;3-100, for example, first consider your relationship to "Made in France," to color, and to versatility.
And to reinforce your decision with concrete feedback, rely on Dialicious customer reviews.
(Updated March 2026)

The&nbsp;Nivada Grenchen Aquamar, launched in 1967, belongs to the generation of compact dive watches now commonly described as &ldquo;skin divers&rdquo;: models robust enough to accompany recreational water activities, yet less imposing than professional instruments designed for extreme depths. Introduced within the wider Antarctic universe of Nivada Grenchen, the original Aquamar combined a compact case, rotating bezel, good legibility, a date display and water resistance suited to the aquatic activities of its era. Long overshadowed by the Chronomaster and some Antarctic models, it gained renewed visibility when Nivada Grenchen returned it to the collection in 2025.
The current generation retains the spirit of a compact vintage diver while adopting contemporary construction: a 38 mm 316L stainless-steel case, double-domed sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, ceramic bezel and a stated water resistance of 200 metres. It uses an automatic Soprod P024 movement and is particularly distinguished by an unusual system that uses the mechanism normally dedicated to the date to change the appearance of the luminous hour markers. This characteristic turns a purely functional component into a genuine visual signature.
<h3>Design &amp; legibility: a vintage diver with a changing dial</h3>
The modern Aquamar revisits the principal codes of a 1960s dive watch without trying to artificially reproduce every detail of an aged vintage example. A dark, strongly graduated bezel surrounds a matte dial available notably in blue, black or grey, while generously cut-out hour markers reveal a luminous layer positioned beneath the dial. This sandwich-style construction adds depth while maintaining immediate time reading. The hands remain broad and highly contrasting, and the central seconds hand receives an orange accent recalling some of the coloured details found on vintage Aquamar watches. The real originality, however, lies beneath the hour markers: a two-tone luminous disc allows the appearance of the Super-LumiNova to be changed at will.
By operating the crown as if adjusting a date, the wearer rotates this disc and can alternately reveal white luminous material with a more contemporary appearance or a creamy shade evocative of aged tritium on older watches. The system does not fundamentally improve timekeeping, but it gives the watch two visual personalities without changing the dial. Night-time visibility naturally depends on previous exposure to light, as with any photoluminescent material. The ceramic bezel also carries luminous indications. Daytime legibility remains strong thanks to pronounced contrast and the absence of a conventional date window on the Blue, Black and Grey versions.
<h3>Case, bracelet and comfort: choosing a compact format</h3>
At 38 mm in diameter, approximately 12.9 mm thick and around 45 mm from lug tip to lug tip, the current Aquamar adopts proportions significantly more restrained than those of many modern dive watches. Its 316L stainless-steel case combines predominantly brushed surfaces with more polished details and retains a profile that can slip comfortably beneath a sleeve. The double-domed sapphire crystal contributes to the retro appearance while providing much better scratch resistance than the acrylic crystals generally found on 1960s models. The stated 200-metre water resistance and screw-down crown allow considerably more versatile aquatic use, provided that seals and water resistance are checked periodically as the watch ages.
The ceramic-insert bezel rotates in both directions, a choice consistent with the spirit of many vintage recreational watches but different from the unidirectional bezels now common on dive watches built to the strictest modern standards. The 20 mm lug width provides a broad choice of straps and bracelets. Nivada Grenchen offers leather, Tropic-style rubber, textile, flat-link steel and beads-of-rice bracelets among the available configurations. Depending on the configuration, the strap can taper to approximately 16 mm at the buckle, helping the watch feel visually lighter on the wrist.
<h3>Movement: the Soprod P024 and a repurposed date mechanism</h3>
The contemporary generation is powered by the Soprod P024, a Swiss mechanical self-winding movement operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz. It uses 25 jewels and offers a stated power reserve of approximately 38 hours. This autonomy means that a watch removed on Friday evening will generally have stopped before Monday morning, something that remains common for a mechanical architecture of this generation. In the Aquamar Blue, Black and Grey, Nivada Grenchen uses a configuration without a traditional visible date. The corresponding mechanism is not simply ignored: the control normally associated with changing the date is used to move the luminous-material disc positioned beneath the dial.
The wearer can therefore alter the combination of white and beige visible through the markers without stopping the watch. Displayed functions remain hours, minutes and central seconds. For servicing, the P024 benefits from being an independent Swiss calibre used by several brands rather than a movement exclusive to the Aquamar. Exact service intervals are not universally fixed and depend on usage, exposure to water and the timekeeping behaviour of the watch. For a watch regularly immersed, periodic water-resistance testing may be more important in everyday ownership than following an arbitrary mechanical servicing calendar.
<h3>Chronological milestones and main models (1967&ndash;2025)</h3>
(1967) Nivada Grenchen Aquamar 37033 Black &amp; Orange:
One of the best-documented historical Aquamar versions is a compact hand-wound diver characteristic of the late 1960s. The Nivada Grenchen Aquamar 37033 uses a case of approximately 36 mm, an 18 mm lug width, a stainless-steel screw-down caseback and a graduated rotating bezel. Its matte black dial is enlivened by orange markings and a coloured seconds hand that bring considerable personality to an otherwise highly functional watch. Preserved examples indicate water resistance of around 330 feet, or approximately 100 metres, which is consistent with the abilities of a skin diver of the period. The movement encountered is the hand-wound AS 1803, fitted with 17 jewels and paired with a date display. Depending on the version, the dial carries Aquamar and Compensamatic wording. It should be remembered that surviving vintage watches may have received service parts, replacement bezels or different bracelets during the decades since manufacture, so the originality of any individual example needs to be assessed separately.
(1970) Nivada Grenchen Aquamar SP 37041 Black:
Around the beginning of the 1970s, several related variants continued the Aquamar story. The Nivada Grenchen Aquamar SP 37041 belongs to this family and retains the philosophy of a compact, straightforward and easy-to-wear dive watch. Documented examples show a black dial, colour accents on the seconds hand and certain differences in the design of the hour markers, wording and bezel compared with the 37033. The case remains close to 36 mm with an 18 mm strap, while the screw-down back and rotating bezel clearly maintain its aquatic purpose. This period is particularly interesting for collectors because several dial configurations and markings are known. It would therefore be unwise to apply a single aesthetic specification to every vintage Aquamar. When considering a vintage purchase, the condition of the dial, luminous material, crown, bezel and movement should be examined individually before drawing conclusions about the originality of the complete watch.
(2025) Nivada Grenchen Aquamar Black:
The black version is the most traditional interpretation of the contemporary revival. The Nivada Grenchen Aquamar Black 32068A combines a matte black dial with cut-out hour markers, the luminous disc alternating between white and beige, and a black ceramic bezel carrying luminous graduations. The case measures 38 mm in diameter, approximately 12.9 mm thick and 45 mm long, with a 20 mm lug width. The crystal is double-domed sapphire with an anti-reflective treatment. The crown screws down and the closed steel caseback carries the penguin motif associated with the Antarctic family. Stated water resistance reaches 200 metres. Inside, the automatic Soprod P024 operates at 4 Hz and provides approximately 38 hours of power reserve. The Black can be ordered with different leather, rubber, textile or steel options, allowing it to move from a strongly utilitarian appearance toward a presentation more directly inspired by 1960s watches.
(2025) Nivada Grenchen Aquamar Blue:
The blue variation retains the same overall architecture but gives the Aquamar a more maritime and colourful personality. The Nivada Grenchen Aquamar Blue 32074A uses a matte blue dial whose cut-out hour markers reveal the Super-LumiNova disc positioned below. The contrast with the orange seconds hand and luminous details strengthens the character of this version without compromising normal time reading. It uses the same 38 mm 316L stainless-steel case, double-domed sapphire crystal, screw-down crown and stated water resistance of 200 metres. The ceramic bezel is graduated and luminous. The automatic Soprod P024 retains its 28,800 vibrations-per-hour frequency, 25 jewels and approximately 38 hours of autonomy. Among the available configurations, a Tropic-style rubber strap naturally emphasises its nautical character, while a beads-of-rice or flat-link bracelet gives it a more versatile appearance for daily use away from the water.
(2025) Nivada Grenchen Aquamar Grey:
More understated than the other versions, the grey variation is aimed at wearers who appreciate the distinctive Aquamar design without seeking the maximum contrast of the black dial or the more summery character of the blue version. The Nivada Grenchen Aquamar Grey 32077A receives a matte grey dial combined with cut-out hour markers and the same crown-controlled luminous disc. Its construction retains the 38 mm 316L steel case, approximately 12.9 mm thickness, 45 mm length and 20 mm lug width. The double-domed sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel, screw-down crown and 200-metre water resistance make this version just as functional as its siblings. The movement remains the 4 Hz automatic Soprod P024 with approximately 38 hours of power reserve. The grey colour can, however, reduce contrast between certain dial elements depending on the light, which may appeal more to a wearer seeking a nuanced appearance than to someone whose sole priority is the maximum possible contrast of a black tool-watch dial.
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
The Nivada Grenchen Aquamar is aimed at enthusiasts looking for a compact dive watch clearly inspired by the 1960s but built with genuinely useful modern characteristics. Its 38 mm case, 200-metre water resistance, sapphire crystal and broad choice of straps allow it to go beyond being merely a historical reissue exercise. Its most recognisable element remains the crown-controlled luminous disc, which provides two interpretations of the dial without complicating normal time reading. Between the Black, Blue, Grey and the Vintage variation now available, the choice mainly depends on the desired visual atmosphere and the bracelet or strap paired with the watch.
To understand how these characteristics translate into real wrist comfort, finishing, accuracy and ownership enjoyment,&nbsp;Dialicious customer reviews provide a useful complement to the technical specifications.
(Updated August 2026)

Abraxas's review on his Nivada Grenchen Aquamar

Beautiful dial, hands, & idea, but poor hour markers!

Pros & Cons for this watch

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Abraxas's review on his Nivada Grenchen Aquamar

Beautiful dial, hands, & idea, but poor hour markers!

Pros & Cons for this watch

Where to buy your Nivada Grenchen?

YOU ARE :

Other reviews published by Abraxas

EdoxSkydiver

U-BoatU-65

RessenceTYPE 1

Customize your Nivada Grenchen with our selection of accessories:

Eagle Eye Watches

Iconic Switzerland

Edox
Skydiver

U-Boat
U-65

Ressence
TYPE 1