Nivada Grenchen Antarctic re-issue - I’m besotted

[Spruce]

@wagudc posted these photos of the new 35mm Antarctic re-issue on another thread and I’m besotted. Apart from the white dial there’s a cream/ivory dial which also looks fab.

These are 7mm deep which, like the 35mm diameter is pretty slim for a new watch, at a time when Omega, Longines and other manufacturers seem to be set on bigger, deeper and wider watches.

The price, approximately €800 also seems competitive and a significant fraction of what other new/newer re-issues cost.

The absence of a date window is a bonus giving, in my opinion, a 'cleaner' watch face.

The one concern I have is that these are hand winding movements and I generally prefer an automatic but still … .

So, I know nothing about Nivadas and have never owned one.

Are they any good and am I the only one who’s fallen?

 

[DaveK]

From the photos, they look amazing on the bonclip

 

[Fallout Boy]

Would wait for the cross-hair edition

 

[wagudc]

I think they are great and may well pick one up. Doe anyone know much about the modern incarnation of Nivada? Who owns them, can we expect them to be around long term to support the watch? Do they have good customer service?

Spruce

The one concern I have is that these are hand winding movements and I generally prefer an automatic but still … .

The 7mm case thickness is a pretty big plus. You won't find that in many automatics. These will wear like a dream.

 

[fiberguy]

wagudc

I think they are great and may well pick one up. Doe anyone know much about the modern incarnation of Nivada? Who owns them, can we expect them to be around long term to support the watch? Do they have good customer service?

In terms of customer service ... there was this from last year
https://omegaforums.net/threads/customer-service-means-something.155093/

 

[DrmexicoII]

I don't have any answers but I too am intrigued. I love the majority of their new models and am definitely considering one.

 

[wagudc]

fiberguy

In terms of customer service ... there was this from last year
https://omegaforums.net/threads/customer-service-means-something.155093/

That is a pretty damning account. Stories like this and personal past experience make me very wary of small brands. Of course not all are like this. From what @Larry S says about Baltic, they really have their act together and are customer focused.

EDIT: there is am update on this post, see my response below.

Edited: Jan 30, 2024

 

[Vercingetorix]

No tundra dial? Big fail.

 

[wagudc]

fiberguy

In terms of customer service ... there was this from last year
https://omegaforums.net/threads/customer-service-means-something.155093/

I decided to dig further into this question and Googled "Nivada Grenchen customer service." It did turn up several negative reviews (see below), however there is a bias that makes people more likely to report negative experiences. I also so that @SC1's issue was resolved with a positive outcome in the end. See:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/nivada-grenchen-casd-happy-ending.158437/

There a quite a few negative reviews on Trust Pilot, but many good ones:

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/nivadagrenchenofficial.com

Here are the first few google results, mostly pretty negative. Hopefully they are working on improving customer service.

Negative:
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/nivada-grenchen-uniquely-poor-costumer-service.5453788/
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/...nyone-else-had-a-negative-experience.5383605/
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/...bout-customs-dhl-and-nivada-grenchen.5331830/

OK:
"update - have sent it back due to movement issues. fully wound and wearing it actively, was stopping and getting stuck at random intervals. customer service was a little slow but helpful and understanding"
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/nwa-nivada-grenchen-super-antarctic.5448228/

 

[BlackTalon]

I've picked up 3 of their reissues, and been very happy with them. Two are hand-wind movements, and one is quartz (for my son). Have not had any issues that required interacting with customer service.

They seem to be a pretty solid company and they are producing nice watches at reasonable prices.

 

[noelekal]

I really like the styling on it Spruce. I know nothing about current Nivada. I have a late 1960s Nivada that has been reliable after its acquisitional service for the scant use it receives here.

Hand winding's my favorite way of doing mechanical watches. I appreciate it. Makes me feel needed each morning.

 

[sonicosa]

Here is an article with some info about the relaunch of the brand and an interview with the person behind it:

https://www.watchbooksonly.com/articles/watch-reviews/nivada-grenchen-rebirth/

I bought the CASD reissue when they first launched, and they’ve been very busy with new releases since. I’ve had no issues with the watch.

Regarding customer service, I scratched my bezel and messaged them to ask if they would be offering movement services in the future, and if so, if I might be able to get my bezel insert replaced at that point. The person who responded was utterly clueless and seemed to have no idea what I was talking about in a way that lead me to believe they are outsourcing their customer service.

 

[noelekal]

Spruce; that black dial, gold markers watch you posted first in your opening post is quite fetching.

You shouldn't have started this thread!

 

[RevZMan123]

They look awesome and I do keep getting tons of Adverts for them on social media. I've seen a couple reviews that call out the Ivory and fauxtina one looking pretty damn good as well. I think they are releasing a slightly larger one as well.

 

[iamvr]

RevZMan123

They look awesome and I do keep getting tons of Adverts for them on social media. I've seen a couple reviews that call out the Ivory and fauxtina one looking pretty damn good as well. I think they are releasing a slightly larger one as well.

Congrats on your new watch then, Erric

 

[RevZMan123]

iamvr

Congrats on your new watch then, Erric

Look, you. LOL

I have enough trouble not buying these things ... I showed my friend a James Lamb Fire yesterday and he's like GO FOR IT! I'm like, OMG Not you too! I already blew my watch budget for 5 years this year lol

 

[SC1]

NG has been solid with me since doing my repair on my first CASD (as reported in the link above)... so much so, I ended up purchasing again: another CASD but this time the white dial and with some custom work from them again...

 

[JwRosenthal]

My one and only NG, but the new 35mm Antarctic series will have me looking again

 

[Spruce]

When I started this thread a few months ago, I was convinced that I really needed to spend £800 or so on the new 35mm manual wind eggshell faced (as opposed to the black and white dials) Antarctic.

Despite visiting a few shops in London to try and have a look at one, no shop seemed to have one or indeed any Nivadas and on line, and Nivada were very prompt and helpful when I mailed, the watch had proved so popular that they are currently unavailable.



In the meantime, I’ve revisited my existing collection. I’ve rediscovered my 166.010 and, if I did/do want a manual wind watch, I have the Seiko 66-8050.

The Longines Heritage, the 35mm version, is pretty similar although it’s a shame it doesn’t come with silver indices …



…. and, as I posted yesterday, I’ve acquired a vintage Seiko Sportsmatic at a quarter of the price which, like the Antarctic has shiny indices.



It’s not impossible that at some stage I will still succumb but, for the time being at least …..

(And like many of us, I probably have too many watches - I know that’s heresy btw).

 

[noelekal]

No Spruce. Not too many. There will always be homeless watches out there that need us.

I like seeing your watches anytime.