Nivada Grenchen - Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver

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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. 😡
I was on the fence until as mentioned earlier another member brought his to the mid Atlantic GTG and I got to handle it- sold.
 
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I was on the fence until as mentioned earlier another member brought his to the mid Atlantic GTG and I got to handle it- sold.

Size 38mm, thickness 13.75mm, lug to lug 46.5mm.
Can you comment on how big it wears? Size is always a concern for me because I'm used to wearing watches in 34-36mm range. I own three modern 40mm watches and every time I put one on, I think to myself beautiful watch, but I wish it was smaller.
 
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Well I kind of like them 2 (V23)

🤦🤦
(And to your original question I think the Valjoux 23 are not so difficult to maintain/service. On my 2, one was serviced by my local watchmaker and I was the one to find the needed parts on the net and the other one by Simon freeze in the UK).
 
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Wears like a vintage chrono from the 60’s- the double dome sapphire crystal takes up some of that height. I had a modern Tag that was 15mm thick and had a flat crystal- all that height was in the sides of the case, it was way too thick.
 
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Ive had a number of these over the years. They were so under the radar for such a long time that you could stumble across legitimate barn finds in plain sight on eBay. (Maybe still? They’ve never really “caught on” or gone through a hype cycle) The MWO guys did a book on the range a few years back which is very similar in detail and depth to the beloved Speedmaster volume. https://www.watchbooksonly.com/books/chronomaster-only/
Here are a few of mine. I parted with the very rare “no casd” dial watch in a trade a few years back.


Edited:
 
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Ive had a number of these over the years. They were so under the radar for such a long time that you could stumble across legitimate barn finds in plain sight on eBay. (Maybe still? They’ve ever really “caught on” or gone through a hype cycle) The MWO guys did a book on the range a few years back which is very similar in detail and depth. https://www.watchbooksonly.com/books/chronomaster-only/
Here are a few of mine. I parted with the very rare “no casd” dial watch in a trade a few years back.


You have the red lollipop/ arrow hands. They don’t have this combo on their website, just lolipop with stick. After seeing this- I would ask for them to swap the second hand if I bought a new one
 
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You have the red lollipop/ arrow hands. They don’t have this combo on their website, just lolipop with stick. After seeing this- I would ask for them to swap the second hand if I bought a new one
Yeah, mine are all from the 60s… I had a few of the new ones in hand and they just didn’t feel right to me.
 
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Yeah, mine are all from the 60s… I had a few of the new ones in hand and they just didn’t feel right to me.
Nice collection
 
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I am of different opinion than some here, since the vintage ones roughly cost the same as the new reissued ones there is a nobrainer to pick a vintage one.

Yes you might not dive and be wreckless with your vintage one but how many actually really do that to their new 2000EUR chronograph anyways.

You get a classic and historical watch with charm that have lived a 60 year old life and mostly will have some apealing patina and scars that the new one never will.

I can see why people choose a reisued model if the equivalent vintage watches is multiple in price as most actually are, but here we have a special spicimen where you actually still can find a good one for decent money 😀

Sharing mine cuz its better with photos than just text
 
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You have the red lollipop/ arrow hands. They don’t have this combo on their website, just lolipop with stick. After seeing this- I would ask for them to swap the second hand if I bought a new one

They said "No bueno" to me when I asked.
 
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They said "No bueno" to me when I asked.
That sucks. Maybe if enough people keep asking they will offer the option- or at least offer the lolipop as a part so we can have it put on
 
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Good points @hejsam ! For me it comes down to water resistance, that's the biggest advantage with the reissue. I get anxious when it rains 😁

Also, with modern watches I'm more nonchalant in general; I don't care if I scratch or ding my watch. With vintage watches I am considerably more cautious. I don't want to beat them up, they have survived for decades in good original condition, so I don't want to be the person who ultimately destroys them. I appreciate a $200 vintage watch way more than a $1k modern one. This is somewhat pompous, but in a way, I feel like I have a responsibility to care for my modest collection.

In conclusion: if I damaged a modern 2k chrono, I would be bummed out. But if I ruined a 2k vintage chrono, I would be heartbroken. Paradoxically that's a good reason to go with the reissue.
 
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Good points @hejsam ! For me it comes down to water resistance, that's the biggest advantage with the reissue. I get anxious when it rains 😁

Also, with modern watches I'm more nonchalant in general; I don't care if I scratch or ding my watch. With vintage watches I am considerably more cautious. I don't want to beat them up, they have survived for decades in good original condition, so I don't want to be the person who ultimately destroys them. I appreciate a $200 vintage watch way more than a $1k modern one. This is somewhat pompous, but in a way, I feel like I have a responsibility to care for my modest collection.

In conclusion: if I damaged a modern 2k chrono, I would be bummed out. But if I ruined a 2k vintage chrono, I would be heartbroken. Paradoxically that's a good reason to go with the reissue.
It’s the same way I feel about my Watchco SM300- I really don’t give a crap what happens to it…the parts are still available from Omega so I could put it in my pressure cooker, then run over it with a truck and I could get it put back to like new. Can’t say the same with a vintage 300.
 
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Not having stepped into the World O' Vintage with watches (yet) the only point of reference I can make is with regard to vintage instruments.

Fairly similar parallel - a new 22" K ride cymbal will set you back around $500 or so but it's brother from 1958 will hit you rather hard at $2500.00. The same in drums... a new Gretsch USA Custom four piece set will run you around 5k but the same drums (sizes 12/14/18) from say 1962 could easily crest 8-12 thousand.

And then it gets more weird (or not)... musicians, and by that I mean working professionals that tour and record on the world's stage -- that most fans of jazz would know of by name or at least by association of whom they gig & record with, cannot by and large afford these instruments easily as they are held by Collectors whom almost exclusively are not musicians or at least aren't working pros (generating their money from professions such as medicine and the law while loving to play jazz on weekends ~ ie: Weekend Warrior Syndrome).
So the "great instruments" are typically held by the chains of Big Money Collectors around the world and aren't available to the actual "players" (those that could make them sing in their hands)... but this is how the world works right?

Anyway, I kind of got astray there and really wanted to say -- the few times I've owned vintage drums and cymbals I used them all the time (local gigs, touring, etc). Initially it scared me but over time I got comfy with the notion and I'm guessing I'll probably do the same with a vintage watch too.
 
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I got comfy with the notion and I'm guessing I'll probably do the same with a vintage watch too.

Yes, you will. But most collectors have different watches for different duties- nothing wrong with that.

My brother has a 1950’s/60’s 5 piece Grestch jazz kit (in blonde Birds Eye). He (aka my mother) bought it when he was 13 from his drum teacher and has had many kits since and gigged with a 9 piece caged Gretsch kit for years- but always kept the 5-piece Gretsch to play at home. He lets his son do local gigs with it now- his son knows it’s value and also knows how special it is as a family heirloom- he doesn’t take risks with it.

I have vintage watches I wear daily to work but other more modern ones I wear for more rough duty. Your comfort level is your comfort level- just be educated about what any watch’s limitations are and err on the side of caution if you don’t know.
Many people think a pressure test and fresh seals are only important if you plan to wear your watch in water. But if you have a hard and dried-out crown seal, just washing your hands vigorously and splashing the watch can let moisture in. That said, I wash my hands regularly wearing trench watches (which might as well just be a movement between a couple silver dollars)- I’m just not playing in the sink like a kiddie pool or trying to drown a cat.
 
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Yes, you will. But most collectors have different watches for different duties- nothing wrong with that.

My brother has a 1950’s/60’s 5 piece Grestch jazz kit (in blonde Birds Eye). He (aka my mother) bought it when he was 13 from his drum teacher and has had many kits since and gigged with a 9 piece caged Gretsch kit for years- but always kept the 5-piece Gretsch to play at home. He lets his son do local gigs with it now- his son knows it’s value and also knows how special it is as a family heirloom- he doesn’t take risks with it.

I have vintage watches I wear daily to work but other more modern ones I wear for more rough duty. Your comfort level is your comfort level- just be educated about what any watch’s limitations are and err on the side of caution if you don’t know.
Many people think a pressure test and fresh seals are only important if you plan to wear your watch in water. But if you have a hard and dried-out crown seal, just washing your hands vigorously and splashing the watch can let moisture in. That said, I wash my hands regularly wearing trench watches (which might as well just be a movement between a couple silver dollars)- I’m just not playing in the sink like a kiddie pool or trying to drown a cat.

So my G-Shock Mudmaster for drowning cats, good to know - thank you brother.
 
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So my G-Shock Mudmaster for drowning cats, good to know - thank you brother.
G-shock for cats, Rolex for clubbing baby seals.
 
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G-shock for cats, Rolex for clubbing baby seals.

PP for pillaging commoners of their money in ponzi schemes while Invicta is relegated to attempted date rape in the frat house basement bar.
Another reason I love Omega... outside of Space Nerdery it has avoided DBA (Douchebaggery By Association).
 
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Another reason I love Omega... outside of Space Nerdery it has avoided DBA (Douchebaggery By Association).

Nope