Nivada Grenchen has made dive watches in Grenchen since the 1960s, when the Antarctic and the Depthmaster were built for real use under water. Today's collection continues those designs with Swiss automatic movements, screw-down crowns, sapphire crystals and rotating bezels, in three sizes: 38, 39 and 42 mm.
Three families of Swiss dive watches
- Antarctic Diver: 38 mm steel case, no date, rotating bezel, Swiss Soprod P024 automatic, 200 m water resistance.
- Aquamar: 38 mm, sandwich dial, black ceramic bezel, roulette date disc with two lume tones, Soprod P024 automatic, 200 m.
- Depthmaster: 39 mm cushion case (42 mm also available), unidirectional bezel with 120 clicks, helium escape valve, 1000 m water resistance, in steel or CuAl8 bronze.
Which size of dive watch?
The 38 mm Antarctic Diver and Aquamar keep the compact proportions of the 1960s divers and suit most wrists. The 39 mm Depthmaster wears a little larger because of its cushion case, 47 mm lug to lug. The 42 mm Depthmaster, 49 mm lug to lug, is for larger wrists or for a more present tool watch. Every product page has a size guide with the full dimensions.
Dive watch FAQ
What water resistance do I need?
For swimming and snorkelling, 100 m is enough. The Antarctic Diver and Aquamar are rated 200 m (20 ATM), suitable for recreational scuba diving. The Depthmaster is rated 1000 m (100 ATM) and has an automatic helium escape valve for saturation diving.
What is the rotating bezel for?
The bezel times a dive: you align the zero marker with the minute hand at the start and read the elapsed time directly. On the Depthmaster it turns in one direction only, with 120 clicks, so a knock can only shorten the time shown, never extend it.
How does a bronze dive watch age?
The Depthmaster Bronze is made of CuAl8 copper aluminium bronze. Its surface slowly develops a patina, darker and warmer, depending on the air, salt water and your skin. No two cases age the same way.
Are these dive watches automatic?
Yes. Every model uses the Swiss Soprod P024 automatic movement, wound by the movement of the wrist, at 28,800 vibrations per hour.
Do you also make chronographs with a diver bezel?
Yes, the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver combines a chronograph with a diving bezel. For guides on choosing a diver, read small dive watches, 38 and 39 mm.
