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Nivada Grenchen - Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver

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Any OF members have experience with these... or thoughts on vintage vs. the new offerings?

Was completely unfamiliar with these until recently and must admit I have been rabbit-holing the brand and Sea Divers pretty heavily since.
The look, the size, manual movement... so many boxes checked for me.

Some questions as this would be my first step into vintage...

Valljoux versus the Sellita movements (in the new version), any thoughts on the pros/cons between the two?

Love the idea of a birth year watch, in my case 1963, but would very much want it to be a daily, non-babying, wearer -- as such, never having owned vintage other than my dad's Hamilton - which I don't wear, is it realistic to own one of these, and after having it gone over & serviced by a watchmaker, be able to use it as I would my other watches (ex: gaskets replaced, and after a WR test, be wearing it for doing dishes, washing the car, riding/walking outside in the rain, etc)?

Are the Valljoux 23 movements easy(ish) to service?
In the case of the new version, is the Sellita SW510 M BH B movement reliable and easily serviceable?

Thank you in advance.
 
JwRosenthal
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I have the Nivada trilogy on my want list (Chrono, Depthmaster, Antarctic). I handled the chrono at the recent mid Atlantic GTG and I was thoroughly impressed with the fit& finish.
As for vintage for a daily- the only issue you really run into can be parts availability for movements that are NLA. Some are harder to get parts for than others. aside of watches with Bakelite bezels, they are no more fragile than they were when new.

Water resistant watches that are 60 years old can still be water resistant as long as (as you mentioned) they have all new seals and are pressure tested. Most collectors prefer original signed crowns on their watches (if they came with a special crown) but that is a leak point and I would never wear a vintage watch with an original crown anywhere near water. Put the original crown in a safe place and use a correct fitting modern crown. Any corrosion around the caseback (even minor pitting under the lip of the case back which may not be visible on initial inspection) can compromise that seal and they it won’t pass a pressure test- so something to be aware of.
I have a mixture of vintage and modern in my collection- I wear both regularly but I’m not a cowboy or need to prove how macho I can be with old watches. For me they get lighter duty, if I’m really going to get nasty- I wear a modern watch.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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My early 60s mk1 “Chronograph” with radium on the dial/hands and a Venus 210 movement 😀

C28E7C2B-9C5E-4715-A0E2-7DC9CA79F3C1.jpeg F3D03A64-78B9-4252-8F76-6C19EED38D5A.jpeg 3BB48D92-F810-4315-9E09-1E1505932249.jpeg
Edited:
 
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@JwRosenthal
Was the chrono the new version or vintage? Either way, any further details from you would be appreciated.
 
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
My early 60s mk1 “Chronograph” with radium on the dial/hands and a Venus 210 movement 😀

C28E7C2B-9C5E-4715-A0E2-7DC9CA79F3C1.jpeg F3D03A64-78B9-4252-8F76-6C19EED38D5A.jpeg

That is outstandingly beautiful!
 
JwRosenthal
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@JwRosenthal
Was the chrono the new version or vintage? Either way, any further details from you would be appreciated.
It was the new one owned by a fellow member who said it’s become his daily…and he owns some pretty magnificent watches.
 
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Just ordered one.

Have to admit, I am pretty damn excited about this... nothing like a YouTube deep dive, a couple glasses of wine and a credit card in hand to stoke the watch purchasing flames.

Any chance someone is cool with putting me up for a few weeks when my wife finds out -- I am tidy, love doing dishes, can do basic handyman type things fairly well, (obviously) loves talking watches and can maintenance bicycles.
Totally fine with a sleeping bag and accomodations in a basement or garage.
 
JwRosenthal
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Just ordered one.

Have to admit, I am pretty damn excited about this... nothing like a YouTube deep dive, a couple glasses of wine and a credit card in hand to stoke the watch purchasing flames.

Any chance someone is cool with putting me up for a few weeks when my wife finds out -- I am tidy, love doing dishes, can do basic handyman type things fairly well, (obviously) loves talking watches and can maintenance bicycles.
Totally fine with a sleeping bag and accomodations in a basement or garage.
I made a thread a while back on shopping under the influence- this sounds like it applies.
It’s a stunner- if you decide to get the trifecta, please update pics.
 
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I made a thread a while back on shopping under the influence- this sounds like it applies.
It’s a stunner- if you decide to get the trifecta, please update pics.

I wish I was drunk - I'd have a better excuse than just having some wine, completely sober and just decided - "I need this".
 
JwRosenthal
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I wish I was drunk - I'd have a better excuse than just having some wine, completely sober and just decided - "I need this".
The vintage ones like Aaron’s are awesome, but they are on everyone’s radar and finding prime examples, reasonably priced, without service issues isn’t easy.
The reissues are fabulous, very much like your Railmaster in its faith to the originals
 
TexOmega
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val23 circa 1963
1st execution's had the mirrored surface of the outer edge of the subdials.
 
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TexOmega TexOmega
val23 circa 1963
1st execution's had the mirrored surface of the outer edge of the subdials.

As old as me, yet looking much better than me. Beautiful watch, thank you for sharing!
 
TexOmega
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As old as me, yet looking much better than me. Beautiful watch, thank you for sharing!



Well, that deserves a nicer picture, thank you
 
Croton Val23.JPG
JimJupiter
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I love the Chronomasters. Glad to have a rare (original vintage) Yachting one in my collection

DSC04693-1.jpg
 
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JimJupiter JimJupiter
I love the Chronomasters. Glad to have a rare (original vintage) Yachting one in my collection

DSC04693-1.jpg

Lovely!
 
Nupero
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I think these look cool and I am seriously considering purchasing a new Chronomaster, even though vintage-style homage watches don't usually speak to me. Then again the new Chronomaster is not really a homage piece - it's almost a 100% replica. I can tolerate an honest clone 😁

I really like vintage watches but sometimes I feel like I have to baby them a little too much. These modern versions seem to be quite robust and perfect for everyday use.
 
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Nupero Nupero
I think these look cool and I am seriously considering purchasing a new Chronomaster, even though vintage-style homage watches don't usually speak to me. Then again the new Chronomaster is not really a homage piece - it's almost a 100% replica. I can tolerate an honest clone 😁

I really like vintage watches but sometimes I feel like I have to baby them a little too much. These modern versions seem to be quite robust and perfect for everyday use.

Well said... and it's pretty much the exact reason I decided to go New (vs letting this be my first step into vintage... for that I do believe it'll be a nice vintage Connie next year).
 
JwRosenthal
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Nupero Nupero
I think these look cool and I am seriously considering purchasing a new Chronomaster, even though vintage-style homage watches don't usually speak to me. Then again the new Chronomaster is not really a homage piece - it's almost a 100% replica. I can tolerate an honest clone 😁

I really like vintage watches but sometimes I feel like I have to baby them a little too much. These modern versions seem to be quite robust and perfect for everyday use.
I agree with this- it’s why I can get behind Bulova or Smiths reissues- they are done incredibly well and they own the brand- so they are entitled to flog that dead horse. When I see $300 Doxa knock-off’s on eBay…not so much.
 
__ryan__
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Nupero Nupero
I think these look cool and I am seriously considering purchasing a new Chronomaster, even though vintage-style homage watches don't usually speak to me. Then again the new Chronomaster is not really a homage piece - it's almost a 100% replica. I can tolerate an honest clone 😁

I really like vintage watches but sometimes I feel like I have to baby them a little too much. These modern versions seem to be quite robust and perfect for everyday use.
In my opinion, the new Chronomaster looks fantastic. They did a great job of remaining faithful to the original styling. I considered purchasing a broad arrow some time ago, but decided to focus on vintage instead. Perhaps I just need to see one in-person to be convinced.

I'm not rough with my vintage pieces, but I don't feel like I baby them either. That has worked out so far -- maybe I've just been lucky. The only watch I ever put to sleep was a modern Seiko. Recommend not wearing any watch when using a post-hole-digger in 90% clay soil. 😡
 
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