Over the previous handful of years, Nivada Grenchen has rapidly grown from a younger upstart to a real contender in its market phase. All through the model’s speedy rise to cult favourite standing amongst lovers, maybe the best issue within the model’s success has been its skill to seize the appear and feel of a classic timepiece, however constructed to fashionable requirements and a solidly aggressive value level. We right here at aBlogtoWatch have described this Nivada Grenchen attraction earlier than as echoing the sensation of discovering a never-before-seen classic gem behind a dusty store case or watch present, however for its newest launch the model ramps up the classic appear and feel additional than ever earlier than. The brand new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT is the model’s most authentically old-school feeling watch to this point, however with simply sufficient fashionable facilities to make it a simple alternative for each day put on.
Though it measures in at a diminutive 36mm large on paper, the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT’s chrome steel case wears nearer to 38mm on the wrist due to a handful of design elements. Initially, there’s the case ending to think about. The cushion-style case type is absolutely polished, with broad, extremely reflective flat surfaces all through. Polished areas are inclined to make a case really feel bigger throughout put on, and the all-over polished look has the added impact of additional emphasizing the watch’s classic character on the wrist. Documentation on the unique early ‘70s-era Antarctic GMT that impressed this mannequin is scarce, so it’s troublesome to say if these fashions had been initially full-polished, however seasoned classic collectors ought to be conversant in the look of a case that’s been all-over polished sooner or later to get rid of scratches. It’s not essentially a nasty look, however it’s one which dredges up loads of recollections for devoted classic watch hunters. The ultra-high-profile plexiglass crystal accentuates this old-school attraction even additional, bringing its distinctive heat to the dial whereas including vital peak to the general profile (even with this field crystal, nonetheless, the general thickness is a manageable 11.1mm). As for the case type itself, there’s a good-looking simplicity right here, with brief, notched lugs, gently arching slab case sides, and a pair of signed screw-down crowns at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock. These crowns are more likely to be some extent of rivalry amongst lovers, although. Though the general look positively suggests a water resistant tremendous compressor-style case (certain sufficient, the unique Antarctic GMT’s case was a respectable EPSA-made tremendous compressor), Nivada manages solely 50 meters of water resistance out of a case with screw-down crowns and a strong caseback. This does restrict the Antarctic GMT’s heavy-duty utility and probably hampers its usefulness as an all-in-one alternative for journey. That mentioned, the caseback itself is attractively completed, with a matte blasted and polished yellow gold inlay that includes the Antarctic line’s stylized penguin brand.
Nivada Grenchen has constructed its fashionable popularity on fastidious recreations of classic designs, and the Antarctic GMT’s dial is arguably its most devoted rendition to this point. Obtainable in both matte black or a limited-to-99-pieces tropical brown variant, this dial completely nails the classic ‘70s vibe on the wrist, all the way down to the small, faceted utilized indices and shortish baton handset. The inside GMT bezel can also be carried over verbatim from its ‘70s forebear with a full scale of daring serif numerals and a break up black and lemon yellow colour palette that provides heat to the carrying expertise. Whereas the unique mannequin’s bezel was painted, nonetheless, right here Nivada provides a brand new layer of depth and reflectivity by rendering this component in rounded plexiglass. This provides an nearly Bakelite-esque look in most lighting circumstances however stays sharp and simple to learn. The opposite actual visible standout on this structure is the GMT hand itself. This purple and black checkerboard sample stick hand is a direct carryover from the classic mannequin, as effectively, and provides a hefty dollop of persona to the general presentation. Nevertheless, each the checkerboard colour scheme and the brief total size make this hand troublesome to discern at a look, which considerably impacts legibility.
Contained in the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT beats the Soprod C125 automated GMT motion. This Swiss Made powerplant is an more and more standard various to each conventional Swiss GMT choices from ETA and Sellita, in addition to Seiko and Citizen’s extra reasonably priced GMT choices. Wanting on the specs, the C125 is a strong performer, with a 42-hour energy reserve and a easy 28,800 bph beat charge. Nevertheless, this can be a “caller” GMT motion with an independently adjustable GMT hand, versus the extra fascinating impartial native hour hand, and that can undoubtedly be a stumbling block for some. Nivada Grenchen affords the Antarctic GMT with an in depth suite of strap choices, together with a beads-of-rice bracelet, in addition to brown and black leather-based straps with or with out rally-style perforations. Our evaluate pattern arrived on the brown leather-based rally strap, which echoes each the heat and classic power of the watch excellently. We’ve seen this strap earlier than on numerous Nivadas, and the thickness, flexibility, and pigskin-style texture make it a winner on the wrist.
In just a few years since its revival, Nivada Grenchen has turn out to be a grasp of the artwork of the classic reissue, with most releases presenting an impressively devoted recreation whereas subtly updating issues for contemporary audiences. The brand new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT falls additional onto the classic aspect of the stability than its predecessors, however its heat, charisma, and good-looking presentation make it a darkish horse within the more and more crowded sub-$2,000 GMT race. The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT is out there by the model’s e-commerce platform beginning November 14, 2024. The beginning MSRP for the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT stands at $1,600 USD as of press time. For extra info, please go to the brand’s website.
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