Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver 105/9989

The Nivada Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver is one of the most versatile and popular vintage chronographs of the 1960s – a true multi-functional timepiece with a sporty character and a reliable hand-wound Valjoux movement.

The origins of the Nivada brand date back to the 19th century, when a traditional family-run watchmaking workshop was founded in the Swiss town of Grenchen. The chronograph offered here comes from the 1960s and, with its distinctive name Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, ranks among the brand’s best-known and most successful models.

Launched in 1963, the Chronomaster quickly gained popularity thanks to its multifunctional nature – whether on land, in the air, or at sea. It combined a variety of features in a single watch, meeting the demands of pilots, divers, and athletes alike.

A remarkable detail can be found at 3 o'clock: instead of a conventional minute counter, there's a countdown timer with the first five minutes highlighted in red and arranged in reverse order – ideal for timing a regatta start. Also striking is the large arrow-shaped hour hand with tritium lume, while the leaf-shaped hands in the sub-registers add a refined visual touch.

The rotating bezel features both a 60-minute scale for elapsed time tracking and a 12-hour scale for setting a second time zone – a useful function for frequent travelers.

On the wrist, the Chronomaster impresses with its bold, sporty look. The combination of a deep black two-register dial and matching black bezel creates a striking visual presence. Thanks to its slim profile, the 38 mm case wears very harmoniously.

With its sophisticated design, robust movement, multifunctional layout and excellent overall condition, this vintage Nivada Chronomaster is a fascinating piece of horological history – and a rare find for any collector of classic chronographs.

Condition Report
Dial: very well-preserved matte black dial – light honest patina – original tritium lume – matching greenish patina on both markers and hands – signed "Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver T Swiss".

Case: great condition with natural signs of wear - worn, but unpolished – sharp and intact lugs and bevels – deep engravings on the caseback – bezel in outstanding condition with no notable scratches – bi-directionally rotating – original crown and pushers.

Movement: manually-wound Valjoux 92 caliber – timegrapher results: +8s/day, amplitude: 285, beat error: 0.6.

Serial number: 79xxx

Int.Exe.: 12413