Affordable dive watches can be found everywhere. Simply put, finding a watch you like is an endless quest because there are so many good options (and some very bad ones too). But affordability often means making compromises in quality, mechanics, or technical specifications. Then comes style, as many of these watches are built on the same general design. What if you are looking for solid, deep dive watches with original looks, reliable mechanics, collector appeal, and, even better, at a fair price? Well, we have just the option for you - the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster, presented here with a rather bright green dial.
HISTORY
Nivada is typically a brand spoken of by experienced collectors and vintage watch enthusiasts. Indeed, while the brand was quite successful in the 1960s, it always remained a niche maker of professional watches. It is not a mainstream name. The brand was founded in Grenchen, Switzerland, in 1926 by Otto Wullimann, Herman Schindler, and Jack Schneider. The company remained under the Schneider family control until its 50th anniversary in 1976. From its inception, the company specialized in making tool watches - for example, the first waterproof automatic watch, the Nivada Antarctic, in 1950. Besides the widely known Chronomaster, a chronograph with 200-meter water resistance, there are two more important watch models. The first is the Depthomatic from 1964, the first dive watch with a depth indicator or bathymeter. The second is a true diver's tool.
In 1965, Nivada Grenchen introduced the Depthmaster - a powerful diving watch capable of withstanding 100 ATM or 1000 meters of pressure. An incredible success, considering most dive watches at the time offered 150 or 200 meters of water resistance. In fact, it was an industry record until Rolex released its Sea-Dweller (launched in 1967). Over the years, there were many styles, including a cool Pac-Man model and another with a bold combination of Arabic numerals and baton markers. Following the brand's return in 2018 and the resurrection of the Chronomaster model, the brand also returned to the so-called "baby Panerai" or "mini Panerai" (due to its cushion-shaped case), with several editions, including the one we review today.
NIVADA GRENCHEN DEPTHMASTER GREEN
Having already reintroduced the Chronomaster and Antarctic - including the very cool Spider edition, the brand decided to continue the retro theme and release a third historical model, the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster - and perhaps we can expect the Depthomatic to appear soon...
Like the two previous watches, the Depthmaster is faithful to the design and proportions, but with modern (and necessary) technical updates. What was standard in the 1960s is no longer accepted, and our quality standards have radically changed over the years. The design of the past may be pleasing, but not the build quality... So overall, the new Depthmaster is the look of the past with the benefits of modern production.
Being relatively affordable, the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster boasts many great features, starting with a robust yet compact case. Made of stainless steel with a matte finish and polished sides, today's Depthmaster is everything the 1960s Depthmaster was. Starting with a diameter of just 39 mm, only 1 mm larger than the vintage model. The typical cushion shape has been retained (of course), and the overall design fully matches past models. In terms of proportions, the watch is also quite comfortable on the wrist: it is 13 mm tall, with a lug-to-lug size of 47 mm. The weight, on the other hand, is quite impressive and leaves no doubt about the diving capabilities of this watch - yet it gives a pleasant sense of quality.
As a nod to the original watch, the new Depthmaster retains the 1,000 m / 100 ATM / 3,300 ft water resistance of the original 1960s watch. Thanks to a combination of a screw-down crown, thick screw-down case back, and domed glass, this retro-styled watch, like its predecessor, is a very capable diving watch. It even features a helium escape valve on the case at 9 o'clock, indicating that it is suitable for saturation diving. Like all modern dive watches, it has a unidirectional bezel with a contrasting and bold engraving of a 60-minute scale - easily readable in daylight, although a little less so in low light as only the small triangle glows. The overall execution of the watch inspires confidence in its solidity, and everything about it has a certain rigidity - the bezel and crown feel tight and sturdy.
Despite the seriousness of the case, construction, and specifications, the Depthmaster can also be quite fun... especially in this green outfit, which of course has no historical significance but is nonetheless very attractive. The sunburst pattern dial with its bright, vivid green color is paired with tritium lume on the markers and hands. Of course, it's not the most restrained combination, but if you want something more traditional, there is also a black dial - or a quirky version with Pac-Man. The combination of Arabic numerals and baton markers is a 1960s classic found in many brands - for example, Glashütte, and (happily) Nivada. Unlike the Pac-Man edition, this version with Arabic numerals features a date function, which is another historically significant detail. These watches are certainly not a classic diver's tool in the Submariner style, but that's exactly why they deserve attention.
Under the case, there are no surprises, as we find the robust, reliable, and easy-to-maintain Swiss Sellita SW 200-1 movement (an alternative to ETA movements), operating at 4 Hz and offering a 38-hour power reserve, it does its job well and provides a more affordable price point.
As for the strap (and all come with quick-release spring bars), you have a choice between contemporary black tropical rubber or leather straps. Additionally, the brand offers a wide selection of steel bracelets (with rice beads or stretch Oyster) as accessories.
FINAL THOUGHTS
With the Depthmaster, Nivada Grenchen offers a compelling package that combines fidelity, historical design, and a "cool" factor with modern technical specifications and serious diving capabilities. Knowing that the watch's price is significantly below the 1K mark, they feel like a serious alternative to established brands in this category, which often offer only 200 m WR, lack HEV, or use simpler third-party movements. And while only you can judge the design, this version with a green dial is, in my opinion, the most attractive in the collection... although I know it never existed in the 1960s. But who cares... It's fun!
The price of the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster Green Numerals Date is 920 Swiss Francs. The brand's website lists the collection as sold out but it should be available for sale in late November or early December. More information at nivadagrenchenofficial.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – NIVADA GRENCHEN DEPTHMASTER
Case: 39 mm in diameter x 13 mm in height – 47 mm lug-to-lug – cushion-shaped stainless steel case, matte and polished – unidirectional rotating steel bezel with 60-minute scale engraving, 120 clicks – sapphire glass – screw-down crown and case back – helium escape valve – water resistance 1,000 m.
Dial: green sunburst pattern dial, hour indices (batons and Arabic numerals), lollipop hand with open tip, all elements filled with cream-colored Super-LumiNova luminescent compound.
Movement: Sellita SW 200-1 date – automatic – 26 jewels – 28,800 vibrations/hour – 38-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds (hacking) and date
Strap: leather (black or brown) or tropical rubber style
Price: 920 SWISS FRANCS (approximately $1000)