CHRONOMASTER
Collection
CHRONOMASTER
Collection
Collection
CHRONOMASTER COLLECTION
A Super-Chronograph
The Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver is not just a chronograph. Since its debut in the 1960s, it has stood out as an essential reference—a true Super-Chronograph, packed with exceptional features and unparalleled versatility.
Definition of a Chronograph
The function of a regular watch is known to us all. There is, however, some confusion between a CHRONOMETER, a TIMER and a CHRONOGRAPH.
A CHRONOMETER is simply a very fine watch. A TIMER is not a watch and does not tell the time of day. It is a simple instrument used for timing events such as races and does nothing else. A CHRONOGRAPH, however, is a specific instrument which combines the functions of a very fine watch with a timer.
The Croton Nivada Grenchen CHRONOMASTER illustrated in this booklet is a precise instrument with a multitude of uses that cannot be obtained with an ordinary watch. It combines the functions of two or three ordinary chronographs and that is why we call the CHRONOMASTER a Super-Chronograph.
The Croton Nivada Grenchen CHRONOMASTER is a favorite with sports car drivers, airline pilots, skin divers, yacht race enthusiasts, engineers, navigators, scientists, business executives and a host of others. As an every day application, it’s great fun to know your automobile’s speed over any known distance with time out for gas, eating, etc. In spectator sports, it is interesting to be able to keep a close check on the official time clock or to simply time your parking at a meter. These are only a few of the CHRONOMASTER’s multitude of uses.
Some of the basic functions to which the CHRONOMASTER can be put are described in this booklet. From these, you will quickly see that a large new field of timing possibilities is opened up to the wearer of the Croton Nivada Grenchen CHRONOMASTER.
It’s important to distinguish between a chronometer, a chronograph, and a timer
• A chronometer is an extremely precise watch, certified by independent organizations.
• A timer is a simple instrument that measures time intervals but does not display the time of day.
• A chronograph, however, is a watch that integrates a mechanism for measuring time intervals while simultaneously displaying the time.
• The Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver by Nivada Grenchen goes far beyond this definition. It combines multiple functions, making it the ideal tool for adventurers, pilots, divers, and motorsports enthusiasts.
VINTAGE MODELS - ORIGINAL CHRONOMASTER
A watch with endless functions
The Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver is a professional chronograph designed for a variety of purposes. At the time of its release, it was advertised as « The World’s Busiest Watch », a timepiece built for action in any situation.
A WATCH FOR EVERY SCENARIO
• Underwater: For Divers and Ocean Explorers Its rotating bezel allows for precise tracking of immersion time. The robust case ensures water resistance up to 100 meters.
• In the Air: For Pilots and Navigators The external bezel with dual markings enables tracking of a second time zone, essential for globe-trotters and aviators.
• On the Road: For Racing Drivers and Motorcyclists The tachymeter scale instantly measures a vehicle’s average speed over a set distance.
• On the Water: For Sailors and Regatta Enthusiasts The 30-minute sub-dial includes a highlighted countdown section for precise yacht race starts.
• On the Field: For Referees and Physicians The central chronograph hand can be used as a pulse monitor, an invaluable tool for medical professionals.
Innovative watch making without compromise
In 1961, the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver made an immediate impact with its unprecedented level of performance. It was the only watch at the time to combine:
• A precise chronograph, measuring to 1/5th of a second.
• 100-meter water resistance, a rarity for chronographs of its era.
• A tachymeter scale for racing drivers.
• A bi-directional rotating bezel for diving and elapsed time tracking.
• A second time zone function—perfect for travelers and pilots.
• A regatta countdown feature for sailors and yachting enthusiasts.
An iconic timepiece
From its very launch, the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver became a reference, cherished by professionals and watch enthusiasts alike. Its clean yet functional design—with a black dial, luminous hands, and a practical bezel—makes it instantly recognizable.
Available in different versions over the decades, it has stood the test of time without ever losing its appeal. Today, it returns to the spotlight, staying true to its heritage while integrating modern refinements.
Is the Chronomaster the ultimate watch?
Why choose between a diving watch, a racing chronograph, a pilot’s watch, or a sports timer when you can have it all in one timepiece ?
• Chronograph
• Diving watch
• Pilot’s watch
• Regatta timer
• Tachymeter for racing
• Dual time zones for travelers
• Swiss-made precision and durability
The Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver is not just a watch it’s a tool built for action.
Chronomaster Book
At first sight it seems a strange name for a chronograph.
Stranger still, the name changes over the years, especially on the dials, with different logos. What is the story behind this mysterious identity? This is what this book aims to reveal.
This composite name is in fact the result of a business deal between two companies: Nivada SA, a Swiss company, and the American Croton Watch Co. Inc. The first signs of cooperation between the Nivada and Croton companies date from the end of the 1930s, or more exactly in 1939. It seems that it was not easy to do business together, not because of any disagreement between the two parties, but because of American competition from one brand in particular: Movado.
After world war II, a period of reconstruction, prosperity and innovation took over from the disaster of the previous years.
Driven by natural curiosity and propelled by accelerating technology, people started exploring and conquering new horizons: the ocean depths, mountain peaks, the sky and space. Accordingly, people started to travel farther, faster and more often. Nivada, which had been already exposed to this type of initiative in the 1950s, came up with a suitable response.
It cannot be denied that its new Super-Chronograph is rather interesting, and even quite revolutionary compared to the other offerings of the time. In fact, it comes as somewhat of a surprise that this Chronomaster model manages to combine a chronograph, water resistance to 200m, a tachymeter scale, a rotating bezel for diving, a second time zone (on the bezel), and a sailing regatta countdown.
The super-chronograph, that first came to light in 1961.
The Chronomaster model wasn’t just a chronograph. It was more like the Super-Chronograph, mentioned in the contemporary brochures.
It in fact had an astonishing number of functions. Such a purpose is accurately reflected in the model’s name: CHRONOMASTER AVIATOR SEA DIVER, which suggests a clientele of professional racing drivers, pilots and divers, as well as the multiple functions evoked in the advertising of the 1960s: THE WORLD’S BUSIEST WATCH – HAS MORE USES THAN EVER COUNTED.
A comprehensive book.
After its launch in 1961, this chronograph has been produced for around ten years under several brand names. Thanks to the authors’ trademark rigorous methodology – the signature of the “ONLY” reference works – and with the collaboration of Matteo Leoni – an Italian collector and a true passionate of vintage chronographs – this book reveals the incredible diversity of the Chronomaster models. It is intended both as an initiation for connoisseurs of exceptional watches and as a reference guide for collectors.
This legendary watch will doubtless thus regain the place it deserves among the most desirable 1960s chronographs.
Reviews & Press
CHRONOMASTER AVIATOR SEA DIVER IN THE PRESS
The Chronomaster continues to earn praise from top watch publications. Fratello hails it as “a vintage-inspired chronograph that gets all the details right,” while WatchPro calls it “a masterclass in design and function.” With its interchangeable bezels and heritage-driven styling, the Chronomaster has quickly become a media favorite.
