Updating…
Extremely rare, the true grail vintage NIVADA Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver with black Paul Newman (Reverse Panda) dial, Ref. 85017, made in 1960s. Exotic/PN models were only made in small numbers and had the “Paul Newman” Daytona-style sub-registers at the 9 o’clock position. This is where the nickname comes from. Powered by legendary manual winding signed Valjoux 23 caliber. Very good original condition overall with normal wear from age and use, the dial is in absolutely fantastic condition. This is a rare opportunity to pick up a world class example of an iconic watch with “King of cool” dial.
C. Three body, polished and brushed, lapidated lugs, bi-directional revolving graduated black bezel for the decompression times, screwed-down case back. D. Black with applied luminous square indexes, outer 1/5th seconds divisions and outermost white tachometer scale, subsidiary dials for the seconds, 30 minutes register with yachting timer indicated in red. Luminous white baton hands. M. Cal. Valjoux 23, rhodium plated, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating blued steel Breguet balance spring. S: Steel Nivada signed bracelet. Dial signed, case numbered, movement signed Nivada. Diam. 38 mm. Thickness 12.5 mm. Approx. overall length 18 cm.
In the early 1960s, only one chronograph managed to combine nine functions into a single watch: the Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver. The Chronomaster, with its 100-meter water resistance (328 ft, 10 bar), was the first timepiece to combine a stopwatch with a tachymeter scale, diving watch, pilot’s watch, timer, yacht timer, and GMT display; not to mention, of course telling the current time. In print ads, Nivada promoted the Chronomaster with slogans such as “Super-Chronograph” and “The world’s busiest watch – has more uses than ever counted.”
Watch is in overall good condition 8/10, running and ready to wear or gift!