In the mid-1950s, the United States initiated a series of missions to Antarctica. Dubbed Operation Deep Freeze, the project conducted from 1955 to 1956 aimed to establish the first permanent base in one of Earth’s most severe and icy landscapes. At the time, esteemed polar explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd was President Eisenhower’s fitting choice to oversee Operation Deep Freeze I. On his wrist, the ANTARCTIC – the same watch that is now being reissued – robust, shock-resistant, and antimagnetic. And crafted to endure the harshest conditions.

Antarctic 35mm, subtle strength by Nivada Grenchen

THE FIRST WATCH IN ANTARCTICA

In the mid-1950s, the United States initiated a series of missions to Antarctica. Dubbed Operation Deep Freeze, the project conducted from 1955 to 1956 aimed to establish the first permanent base in one of Earth’s most severe and icy landscapes. At the time, esteemed polar explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd was President Eisenhower’s fitting choice to oversee Operation Deep Freeze I. On his wrist, the ANTARCTIC – the same watch that is now being reissued – robust, shock-resistant, and antimagnetic. And crafted to endure the harshest conditions.

SLIM-NEO-VINTAGE

35 IS THE NEW 42

It’s trending everywhere you look: the upsizing, maximalist craze of the 2000s is passé. The oversized watches that dominated the market for years are now giving way to a more understated elegance. Noisy, flashy luxury is out. Nivada Grenchen is in with a discreet combination of style and substance for the wrist. As the holiday season approaches, the Swiss watch brand unveils a timeless ‘essential’: the Antarctic 35mm, a quintessential slim and small neo-vintage classic. Old school chic has never been so modern.

“It’s the watch from that iconic advert. The very same Antarctic 35mm. Not only does it carry an incredible history, but it also won’t break the bank. The Nivada Antarctic has become a sought-after and somewhat rare vintage watch, making it highly coveted among collectors.” explains Guillaume Laidet, CEO of Nivada Grenchen, who has positioned this gem of a reissue at a price of 800 EUR / 770 CHF / 850 USD.

When a new watch model is released, a key question is always: What should its diameter be? At Nivada Grenchen, the answer is straightforward: the best size is the original, period size. Why overcomplicate? Nivada Grenchen’s approach is to reissue watches while staying true to vintage dimensions and codes. “The hand-wound Landeron 21 caliber opened up whole new possibilities for us in terms of slimness (7mm case thickness and 10.1mm with the crystal) and diameter (35mm). I like the sober, assertive looks offered by small watches, as opposed to bulky, flashy ones. My intent is to de-escalate the big is better madness, be it in terms of price or size. It’s about getting back to the basics, to authenticity. Besides, 35mm is hot, no matter how you’re built,” adds Guillaume.

Returning to the basics, embracing all-time favorites, and capturing timeless elegance. As the trend of oversized watches wanes, Nivada Grenchen delves deep into its rich heritage to present a renewed expression of masculine watchmaking. This comes complete with impeccable, artfully crafted finishes, all housed in a 35mm case that epitomizes slender elegance.

While the Antarctic’s case and crown are undeniably elegant, it’s the dial that truly stands out as the watch’s centerpiece. Available in three distinct colors — black, white, and eggshell/off-white — the dial boasts applied steel indexes. At the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions we have Art Deco-style numerals, while arrowheads (you could say faceted icicles) serve as indexes. Brilliant details, both literally and figuratively. Instead of the conventional luminescent dots, we have curved, slightly orange luminescent arcs painted on the outer edge of the hour markers. The dial proudly bears the ‘Nivada Grenchen’ signature below the 12, with «Antarctic» just above the 6. Beneath it, hugging the outer edge of the minute track, a discreet ‘Swiss’. The steel hands are of the classic dauphine style, with a slim luminescent band at their center. The elongated second hand, crafted in blued steel, adds an extra touch of elegance. On the caseback, an embossed, stylized penguin on a gold medaillon serves as a nod to the watch’s heritage. Altogether, this blend of design elements crafts a remarkable timepiece, with a unique look and feel that takes you back to the 1950s at a flick of the wrist.

PURE ART DECO DIAL

& ICONIC PINGOUIN CASEBACK

Returning to the basics, embracing all-time favorites, and capturing timeless elegance. As the trend of oversized watches wanes, Nivada Grenchen delves deep into its rich heritage to present a renewed expression of masculine watchmaking. This comes complete with impeccable, artfully crafted finishes, all housed in a 35mm case that epitomizes slender elegance.

Returning to the basics, embracing all-time favorites, and capturing timeless elegance. As the trend of oversized watches wanes, Nivada Grenchen delves deep into its rich heritage to present a renewed expression of masculine watchmaking. This comes complete with impeccable, artfully crafted finishes, all housed in a 35mm case that epitomizes slender elegance.

While the Antarctic’s case and crown are undeniably elegant, it’s the dial that truly stands out as the watch’s centerpiece. Available in three distinct colors — black, white, and eggshell/off-white — the dial boasts applied steel indexes. At the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions we have Art Deco-style numerals, while arrowheads (you could say faceted icicles) serve as indexes. Brilliant details, both literally and figuratively. Instead of the conventional luminescent dots, we have curved, slightly orange luminescent arcs painted on the outer edge of the hour markers. The dial proudly bears the ‘Nivada Grenchen’ signature below the 12, with «Antarctic» just above the 6. Beneath it, hugging the outer edge of the minute track, a discreet ‘Swiss’. The steel hands are of the classic dauphine style, with a slim luminescent band at their center. The elongated second hand, crafted in blued steel, adds an extra touch of elegance. On the caseback, an embossed, stylized penguin on a gold medaillon serves as a nod to the watch’s heritage. Altogether, this blend of design elements crafts a remarkable timepiece, with a unique look and feel that takes you back to the 1950s at a flick of the wrist.

“We’re sometimes seen as a new brand, but Nivada Grenchen was in fact born in 1926. Our mission is to carry this rich heritage forward. More and more people are rediscovering it, and the Antarctic 35mm is no finest example of the treasures in our legacy. I want to reissue this little bombshell from the start of the adventure (2019).” explains Guillaume Laidet, Nivada Grenchen’s CEO.

The new Antarctic 35mm will be available on pre-order at a price of 800 EUR / 770 CHF / 850 USD, exclusively on nivadagrenchenofficial.com.

Orders will open on November 23 at 16:00 CET (10:00 EST). Deliveries are planned for March 2024.

A BOOK FOR

CURIOUS WATCH LOVERS

Here’s a book on watches that should feel right at home on your desk, coffee table or nightstand: the reference work that meticulously retraces all possible variations of NIVADA GRENCHEN’s Antarctic pieces. Thanks to the rigorous methodology of the author, Aashdin K. Billmoria, a passionate collector of the brand since his childhood, this tome is both an initiation for the neophyte and a reference guide for the experienced collector. It also delivers proof that this legendary collection has crossed the ages to find its rightful place among the most desirable vintage watches of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.