The new Nivada Grenchen Antartic Aquamar doesn’t scream for attention—it earns it quietly, through a careful mix of vintage inspiration, compact proportions, and surprising design details. In a market where heritage reissues can feel repetitive, this 38mm dive watch brings just enough personality to stand out while remaining true to its roots.
Reviving the Antarctic Spirit
Nivada Grenchen is no stranger to revival. Founded in 1879 in the Swiss town of Grenchen, the brand gained fame in the mid-20th century for its robust tool watches, including the Antarctic, Depthomatic, and Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver. Since its return to the spotlight a few years ago thanks to french entrepreneur Guillaume Laidet, Nivada has positioned itself as a faithful interpreter of its own back catalog, resisting the urge to modernize excessively. The Aquamar is a continuation of that philosophy—a reinterpretation of a lesser-known branch of the Antarctic Diver family, this time with more elegance and restraint.
Designed as a vintage diver that doesn’t take itself too seriously, the Aquamar slots in just beneath the brand’s more tool-oriented models. It’s not about technical excess or overbuilt specs. It’s about getting the proportions, textures, and details right—about crafting a piece that feels like a genuine throwback, but with the reliability of modern Swiss manufacturing.
Compact Specs, Thoughtful Details
The Aquamar’s stainless steel case measures 38mm in diameter, 12mm thick, and carries a lug-to-lug span of 45mm—ideal for a wide range of wrist sizes. The finishing is crisp, with brushed surfaces on the lugs and polished case flanks giving it a nuanced profile. A double-domed sapphire crystal enhances the vintage charm while offering the necessary scratch resistance, and the 200-metre water resistance rating gives it real-world practicality.
Inside beats the Soprod P024 automatic calibre, a reliable and serviceable Swiss movement offering a 38-hour power reserve. While not an in-house movement, it reflects Nivada’s commitment to using tried-and-tested components. The watch is also fitted with a unidirectional 120-click bezel, available in various colors depending on the dial variant—denim blue, graphite black, or stone grey.
The Aquamar also features a sandwich dial construction, with cut-out hour markers revealing a luminous layer beneath—adding depth and legibility while reinforcing the watch’s utilitarian character. It’s a subtle, almost cheeky detail that adds personality without compromising legibility. This touch of playfulness is rare in modern dive watches and serves as a reminder that tool watches can be serious and fun at the same time.
Vintage Style, Everyday Versatility
In terms of design, the Aquamar feels like it belongs in the 1960s—only better built. The matte dials, minimal branding, applied indices, and pencil-style hands all nod to vintage divers, while the modern execution ensures the watch is ready for today’s world. Whether worn on a beads-of-rice bracelet, a Tropic rubber strap, or a distressed leather band, the Aquamar adapts effortlessly to casual and semi-formal settings alike.
It’s a watch for those who enjoy heritage aesthetics but don’t want to wear something overly precious. It’s slim enough to slip under a cuff, yet bold enough with its lume and bezel to feel like a proper diver. It doesn’t chase trends or over-engineered features. Instead, it offers balance, clarity, and charm—all packed into a wearable silhouette that feels refreshingly natural on the wrist.
A Well-Priced Heritage Diver with Character
The Nivada Grenchen Antartic Aquamar isn’t a revolution, but it doesn’t try to be. It’s a well-executed evolution, expanding the brand’s lineup with a model that makes a lot of sense in today’s watch landscape. For collectors who want vintage vibes with modern reliability—or newcomers seeking a dive watch with depth and identity—it’s a compelling proposition.
Available now for $995 USD, the Aquamar can be ordered directly from Nivada Grenchen’s online boutique. Deliveries begin on June 19, 2025, with multiple strap options available from launch. At this price point, few watches offer such a carefully considered blend of history, personality, and everyday functionality, which is exactly why we love it ! By the way, Guillaume Laidet released another gem (from another brand that he is working on) that’s worth taking a look at : the Vulcain Skindiver Nautical GMT !
