IWC Titanium Ingenieur for Mercedes – AMG Reference IW3227-02 Warranty Card SOLD SKU: 49896.Croton Oversized Diver’s Chronograph circa 1960s SOLD SKU: 47023.Rolex Submariner ref# 16800 circa 1986 Box & Papers SOLD SKU: 50554.Croton Nivada Grenchen Aquamatic circa 1960’s $675.00 SKU: 49233.Croton SS Chronomaster Aviator Seadiver circa 1960’s SOLD SKU: 43628.Croton Aquamatic Stainless Steel circa 1950’s SOLD SKU: 51822.This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist. The dial, case, and movement are signed by Croton. The bezel is in overall good condition with scratches and wear to the outer edge while having aged to a greenish color in some light. The lume on the dial and hands has developed a pleasing creamy patina. The hands are in good condition with some patina spilling over onto the metal portion from the lume. The dial is in good condition with a slight patina to the finish.

The caseback engravings are visible, including the numbers. The facets of the lugs are clearly visible. The case is strong with scratches and slight nicks throughout. This example is in overall good, attractive condition. We paired this Croton Nivada Grenchen with our Textured Tan Calfskin watch strap to play off of the color of the lume in the hands and on the dial.ĭimensions: 38mm diameter 13mm thicknessĬaliber: Venus, manually-wound, caliber 210īracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Textured Tan Calfskin Watch Strap The originally black bezel has aged to a beautiful dark greenish color depending on the light. The radium lume on the dial and hands has aged to that dark yellow, creamy color that vintage collectors just can't get enough of, while the surface of the dial remains a crisp matte black. These include the double signed 'Croton Nivada Grenchen' dial, radium lume-filled broad arrow-style hands, the 'high swiss,' and the 'chronograph' at six o'clock rather than the standard 'chronomaster' branding.īeyond technical intrigue, this example has that look that only a well-used vintage watch can possess. Today's watch is a 'first series' and considered to be more desirable than your conventional Chronomaster for a combination of characteristics. The Chronomaster was produced in a wide variety of case, dial, and movement executions throughout its productions years. These pieces were branded simply as Croton or Croton Nivada Grenchen, with the most popular models being the Antarctic and the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver. Due to slightly similar names, a battle played out in between Movado, already well established in the US at the time, and Nivada, resulting in Croton stepping in as the US distributor of Nivada-made watches. Nivada stuck to mainly European markets until attempting an expansion to sell into the American sector in the 1940s. Nivada (of) Grenchen dates back to 1879 in the small Swiss town of, well, Grenchen.

Croton was founded in New York City as an American watch company focused on importing and distributing high quality watches to their home market.

In a collaboration at least 50 years ahead of its time, the name is actually two brands smashed together. Most often found branded as Chronomaster on the dial, this do-it-all vintage chronograph from Croton x Nivada Grenchen offers a regatta timer, tachymeter scale, and rotating bezel.Ĭroton Nivada Grenchen is a long winded brand name, especially when printed on a watch dial.

Croton chronomaster stainless steel