As a fan of GMTs, I’ll take each alternative to take a look at watches that function my favourite complication. When the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT landed on my desk, I used to be intrigued. This remake of a uncommon Seventies watch combines a Tremendous Compressor-styled case with a rotating inner 24-hour GMT bezel. Mixed with the charming ’70s fashion, this new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic mannequin is an attention-grabbing retro tackle a basic GMT. It’s time to seek out out extra.
Depart it as much as Nivada Grenchen to launch a contemporary watch that respects the appears to be like and dimensions of its classic inspiration. The model has garnered a lot reward from watch followers who love their vintage-inspired reissues. I’m one in every of them as a result of I really like the model’s retro chronographs. I particularly adore a few of the extra extravagant choices that the model launched. The Valjoux 72-powered Worn & Wound Limited Editions instantly come to thoughts, and the Chronoking “Paul Newman” Orange is one other nice instance. However I additionally benefit from the common tropical-dial model of the Chronomaster Broad Arrow on a beads-of-rice bracelet. These watches show that Nivada Grenchen just isn’t scared to play with the aesthetics of its retro chronographs.
A remake of a uncommon chook from the Seventies
The brand new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT just isn’t a reimagining of a classic design. Relatively, aesthetically, it’s a one-to-one remake of a basic that was obtainable within the early Seventies. Guillaume Laidet, the model’s present CEO, apparently found the classic model on-line on the Hodinkee Store some years in the past. Quick-forward to at this time, and the watch is now the newest addition to the trendy Nivada lineup.
The model introduces two variations. The primary is a 99-piece restricted version with a tropical dial, and the second is the common mannequin with a black dial. We had the latter in for evaluate. I used to be pleased with that as a result of I really feel it’s the unique watch, and it has an general aesthetic that I desire over the tropical-dial model.
The unique Antarctic GMT had a Tremendous Compressor case made by the well-known producer EPSA. As you’d count on from Nivada Grenchen, the designers have revered the unique dimensions of the case. This new model has a 36mm Tremendous Compressor-look case with a 40mm lug-to-lug, an 11.6mm thickness (crystal included), and a 50m water resistance score.
The simple tonneau-shaped case is good and flat, and a notable portion of the thickness comes from the large box-shaped Plexiglass crystal. I really like this element as a result of it provides a ton of retro appeal. It’s good to see how Nivada Grenchen introduced this watch again as a lot in keeping with the unique watch as potential.
The simple, quirky appeal is difficult to withstand
On the proper facet of the case, you’ll find two barely recessed screw-down crowns situated at 2 and 4 o’clock. The higher one controls the rotating 24-hour internal bezel, whereas the decrease one lets you change the date and GMT hand within the first place and the time within the second place. Contained in the case sits a black dial with small utilized markers and barely off-white lume. The markers are positioned amongst a white minute observe with a date window at 3 o’clock. This aperture includes a white body that matches the white disc that options black printing. The brand and textual content on the higher and decrease halves of the dial are barely raised and painted white.
Then, we discover a bidirectional bezel divided into yellow and black halves that point out day and evening. The retro yellow shade and the quick, checkered crimson and black GMT hand outline the funky aesthetics. Two stick-shaped arms accompany the GMT hand for the hours and minutes. They’re crammed with the identical shade of lume because the markers. Lastly, a skinny seconds hand completes the handset.
Total, the dial and bezel’s retro look is busy however not cluttered. In consequence, you possibly can rapidly learn the native/residence time and the date. One other good element is the “Antarctic” textual content in a cool retro font that provides a lot character. Though we all know the font from the opposite Antarctic fashions, it’s all the time a pleasant element that stands out instantly.
The Soprod C125 GMT caliber powers the Antarctic GMT
Whereas the watch’s face follows the unique design, the case again is barely completely different from the unique. I have to add, although, that it has modified for the higher. The unique watch had a full chrome steel case again with the engraved penguin picture. Not like the unique, the model used a gold-colored medallion within the middle of the brand new Antarctic GMT’s case again. It provides a pleasant little bit of shade to the rear of the watch. Hidden behind the case again is the Soprod C125 caliber. This automated caller-style GMT motion operates at 28,800vph, has 25 jewels, and affords 42 hours of energy reserve.
As most of , Soprod is a part of the Festina Group and supplies actions to numerous manufacturers. Each Serica and Oak & Oscar are recognized to have used the C125 for his or her watches. The caliber relies on the automated Soprod M100, and a GMT module has been added to it. In consequence, it’s not the much-wanted flyer-style GMT caliber that lets you regulate the native time in one-hour increments. Nevertheless, as an proprietor of a number of watches with caller-style GMT actions, it’s by no means bothered me an excessive amount of, regardless of the added practicality of a flyer-style motion.
Sporting the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT
As normal, Nivada affords a number of strap choices for the Antarctic GMT. The primary is a chrome steel beads-of-rice bracelet that can undoubtedly look nice. Moreover, you possibly can select a brown or black leather-based strap with or with out white stitching. Lastly, there’s the choice of a brown or black racing strap. We had the watch on the brown racing strap that comes with a branded buckle that matches the general fashion properly.
The leather-based strap is good and supple, making the watch comfy. As soon as on the wrist, I used to be instantly impressed by how a lot wrist presence the watch has, each in measurement and design. Often, 36mm watches on a leather-based strap look fairly small on my wrist, however the Antarctic GMT has loads of presence due to its case form. On high of that, the design merely pops with the brilliant yellow shade and the standout dial design, leaving me pleasantly stunned by how good the watch appeared and felt on my wrist.
A watch with loads of character
As soon as on the wrist, the watch’s good profile actually shines via. At 11.6mm, together with the crystal, it’s a slim watch with a ton of character. Whereas a Plexiglass crystal just isn’t probably the most sensible selection lately, it provides the proper contact of classic aptitude. Moreover, the dial design has loads of retro character, nevertheless it actually hasn’t misplaced its relevance in a world filled with vintage-inspired watches. On high of that, it’s a welcome boost to the model’s lineup, which is filled with classic reissues.
Virtually talking, the crowns are greatest operated when the watch just isn’t in your wrist. They each unscrew simply however really feel very first rate by way of high quality. Turning the higher crown could be very straightforward. Nevertheless, because it’s a freely rotating bezel, you should be exact when setting the extra time zone. To make that simpler, the numerals have little dots beneath them to align them with the hour and minute markers.
For the reason that GMT hand is kind of quick, it doesn’t attain the bezel. Whereas a bit impractical, it’s actually not a make-or-break issue for me. Additionally, when you’ve turned the bezel to the place you need it, you must be considerably cautious when screwing within the crown. Ensure you push down correctly earlier than you begin turning the crown. For those who don’t, the bezel will rotate. Slightly little bit of observe will do the trick.
Closing ideas on the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT
I favored spending time with this new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT. I had my preliminary reservations concerning the measurement, and it’s not my most well-liked stylistic execution of a GMT watch. However after spending just a few days with it, I used to be pleasantly stunned at how properly the watch wears and the way related its fashion nonetheless is. The latter shouldn’t be an actual shock in a watch trade that thrives on bringing again manufacturers and designs from the previous.
Nivada Grenchen is likely one of the manufacturers that does that the very best. The brand new Antarctic GMT is not any exception to that. This devoted remake appears to be like nice, has good proportions, and wears like a appeal. With an inventory value beginning at US$1,600 on the leather-based strap, this new Antarctic GMT will undoubtedly discover its technique to followers rapidly. It’s one other welcome boost to a group of reinterpretations of watches from Nivada’s fascinating archives.
Tell us your ideas on this vintage-inspired Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT within the feedback part.
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