VK63, VK64, VK67: The Meca-Quartz Calibres Inside Nivada Grenchen Chronographs
Nivada Grenchen uses three meca-quartz calibres from the VK family, made by TMI: the VK63 in the Chronoking, the VK64 in the F77 Chrono Mecaquartz and the VK67, with date, in the Autochron. All three keep time with quartz and run the chronograph through a mechanical module, so the chronograph hand sweeps smoothly and snaps back to zero instantly. They differ in their dial layout, their functions and the watch they are fitted to. No current Nivada Grenchen model uses the VK68.
If you are new to the hybrid principle, start with What is a meca-quartz chronograph? This article goes one step further: which calibre sits in which watch, and how to choose between them.
The VK meca-quartz family in one paragraph
A VK calibre is built in two parts. A quartz module keeps the hours and minutes, which gives quartz accuracy and a battery life of about three years. A mechanical chronograph module, driven by that quartz base, runs the stopwatch. That is why a VK chronograph feels like a mechanical one when you use the pushers: a crisp start, a sweeping central hand and an instant reset. Nivada Grenchen fits these calibres in 38 mm steel cases under a double-domed sapphire crystal.
VK63, VK64, VK67: which calibre is in which watch?
| Calibre | Nivada Grenchen watch | Date | Water resistance | Signature feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VK63 | Chronoking Mecaquartz and Chronoking Racing | No | 10 ATM / 100 m | Interchangeable GMT and tachymeter bezels, no tools |
| VK64 | F77 Chrono Mecaquartz | No | 10 ATM / 100 m | Two sub-dials, 24-hour indicator, integrated bracelet |
| VK67 | Autochron Mecaquartz | Yes | 20 ATM / 200 m | Three counters, date window, tachymeter bezel |
VK63: the Chronoking Mecaquartz
The VK63 (VK63A on the original Chronoking Mecaquartz Inter.Bezel) drives the Chronoking family. Accuracy is rated at ±20 seconds per month and the SR936SW silver oxide battery lasts about three years.
What sets the Chronoking apart is the bezel. Its interchangeable system lets you snap a GMT bezel or a tachymeter bezel on and off with your fingers, without tools. A four-ball locking system holds the aluminium bezel in place. The idea goes back to the 1960s, when Nivada Grenchen introduced interchangeable bezels on the Coloroma VI women's collection.
The Chronoking Racing editions use the same calibre in a 38 mm, 13.4 mm thick case, 46.5 mm lug to lug, with 10 ATM water resistance. The Racing Carbon edition, with a black carbon fibre dial, is limited to 500 pieces. All interchangeable bezel models are grouped in interchangeable bezel watches.
VK64: the F77 Chrono Mecaquartz
The VK64 powers the first chronograph in the history of the F77. The original F77 of 1977 never existed as a chronograph, so this watch is a new creation rather than a copy of a vintage piece.
The VK64 layout uses two sub-dials: a chronograph minute counter and a 24-hour indicator. The central chronograph seconds hand measures to 1/5 of a second. In the F77 MK2 case, it sits in 38 mm of 316L steel, 12.2 mm thick and 46.2 mm lug to lug, with a screw-down crown, a solid screw-down caseback and 10 ATM water resistance. The pushers sit at 2 and 4 o'clock, and the watch is worn on the integrated steel bracelet with a push-button deployant buckle.
The F77 Chrono Mecaquartz comes with a blue, grey or carbon-look woven dial.
VK67: the Autochron Mecaquartz
The VK67 is the only calibre of the three with a date. Its layout is the most complete: hours, minutes and small seconds, a 60-second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, and a date window. Accuracy is rated at ±20 seconds per month, and the battery lasts about three years.
Nivada Grenchen chose it for the Autochron, whose design comes from a 1970s Autochron prototype found in the brand's archives. The Autochron case is 38 mm in 316L steel, 44.3 mm lug to lug, with a screw-down crown and 20 ATM water resistance, or 200 m, the highest of the meca-quartz range. The 2026 Panda, Reverse Panda, Orange and Blue dials add a unidirectional aluminium bezel with 120 clicks.
Using the tachymeter on the Autochron
Start the chronograph when a car sets off, stop it after one kilometre or one mile, and read the speed where the seconds hand stops. One kilometre covered in 30 seconds stops the hand at 120: an average of 120 km/h.
What about the VK68?
The VK68 is another calibre of the same family. Searches for "hybrid VK68 meca-quartz chronograph" are common, but no current Nivada Grenchen model uses it. If you are looking for a meca-quartz chronograph with a date, the VK67 in the Autochron is the Nivada Grenchen answer.
Which meca-quartz chronograph should you choose?
- You travel, or you like to change the look of your watch: the Chronoking Mecaquartz (VK63), with its tool-free GMT and tachymeter bezels.
- You want an integrated bracelet and a 24-hour indicator: the F77 Chrono Mecaquartz (VK64).
- You want a date, three counters and 200 m water resistance: the Autochron Mecaquartz (VK67).
Prefer a fully mechanical chronograph? The Autochron Orange Automatic runs on the Swiss Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph with a 48-hour power reserve, in the same 38 mm case. The hand-wound Valjoux 23 editions use restored vintage calibres.
FAQ
Which VK calibres does Nivada Grenchen use?
Three: the VK63 in the Chronoking, the VK64 in the F77 Chrono Mecaquartz and the VK67, with date, in the Autochron.
How long does the battery last in a VK meca-quartz chronograph?
About three years on the Autochron, the Chronoking and the F77 Chrono Mecaquartz.
How accurate is a meca-quartz chronograph?
On the Autochron (VK67) and the Chronoking (VK63), accuracy is rated at ±20 seconds per month.
Do meca-quartz watches need winding?
No. The quartz module runs on a battery, so there is nothing to wind. The mechanical part is the chronograph module.
Is meca quartz the same as mecaquartz or mecha quartz?
Yes. Meca quartz, mecaquartz and mecha quartz are three spellings of the same hybrid movement type.
Compare every model in the meca-quartz chronographs collection.
