Introducing Nivada Grenchen: 100 Years of Swiss Watchmaking Heritage at Long Island Watch

We're kicking off 2026 with something special—a brand celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Founded in 1926, Nivada Grenchen brings a century of Swiss watchmaking history to our store, and I'm excited to be the first online-only retailer authorized to carry their watches.

This is a milestone for Long Island Watch. Since I founded this business on the internet back when it was still finding its footing, getting the attention of established Swiss brands that traditionally work with brick-and-mortar retailers means a lot. It shows that our approach—offering quality watches directly to customers online—resonates with watchmakers who value accessibility and education.

A Bit of History: From Nivada to Grenchen

If you're wondering about the name, here's the story: Nivada SA was founded in 1926 as a Swiss watch company. Back in the '60s and '70s, when Movado was gaining popularity in the United States, the similarity between "Movado" and "Nivada" created some brand confusion. To differentiate themselves, they adopted "Grenchen"—the Swiss city where they're based—into their name. The brands aren't related, but the name change stuck, and today we know them as Nivada Grenchen.

What makes this partnership particularly meaningful is where Long Island Watch is heading. While I've always maintained my commitment to affordable watches in the $200-$400 range, I'm also expanding our offerings to include higher-end brands like Marathon, Squale, Damasko, and Formex. Nivada Grenchen fits perfectly into this expansion, with watches ranging from around $600 up to a couple thousand dollars.

The Chronoking: Entry-Level Swiss Design

Let's start with the most accessible piece in the collection: the Chronoking at $610. This is a meca-quartz chronograph running on a Seiko VK63 movement.

What's meca-quartz? It's a hybrid approach—the watch runs on a battery-powered quartz movement for timekeeping (you'll see that steady tick of the seconds hand), but the chronograph functions use a mechanical module. This means your start, stop, and reset are instantaneous with that satisfying snap back to zero. It's the best of both worlds for a chronograph at this price point.

The coolest feature? Swappable bezels. You get four extra bezels in the box, and changing them is simple—just use your fingernails to pop off the current bezel and snap on a new one. The bezel itself combines a tachymeter scale with what they call a "dual time" indicator—it's not a true GMT with a 24-hour scale, but rather a 12-hour reference for tracking multiple time zones. You'll find major cities marked around the bezel to help you track time in different locations.

The Antarctic Collection: Swiss-Made Dive Watches

Moving up the range, we get to Swiss-made territory with the Antarctic series. The Aquamar Antarctic at $1,250 immediately hits you with that '70s dive watch aesthetic. It runs on a Soprod P024 automatic movement—a reliable Swiss workhorse—and proudly displays "Swiss Made" on the dial.

Here's a neat feature: when you pull the crown out to set the time, you can toggle between white lume and a vintage-style patina lume. It's a clever touch that lets you change the character of the watch depending on your mood. The smooth bi-directional bezel uses a friction system for standard timing functions.

The white dial version of the Super Antarctic at $1,145 is another standout. The stark white dial with black outlines immediately evokes cold and snow—perfect for a watch line named after the South Pole. It uses the same Soprod P024 movement and comes on that distinctive beads-of-rice bracelet.

The Depthmaster "Pac-Man": Serious Dive Watch DNA

The Depthmaster "Pac-Man" at $1,155 is where things get serious. This is the largest watch in the lineup at 42mm, based on a 1960s design that was originally 39mm. One look at the indices and you'll understand the nickname.

With 1,000 meters of water resistance and a helium escape valve, this watch means business. The helium escape valve is a one-way valve that prevents dissolved gases from building up pressure inside the case during saturation diving—without it, those gases could pop the crystal right off when you ascend. It's serious dive watch technology in a vintage-inspired package.

The unidirectional bezel features timing marks in red for the first 15 minutes, with individual tick marks beyond that for decompression timing. The dial uses vintage-style patina lume, and despite the 42mm case, the cushion shape keeps the lug-to-lug at a very wearable 49mm.

The F77: Vintage Sports Watch Icon

The F77 is the watch that consistently draws the biggest crowds at watch shows, and for good reason. It's that perfect blend of vintage charm and modern wearability. We stock several versions, with more available online.

The Grade 5 titanium version at $1,560 is exceptional. Grade 5 titanium is harder and more scratch-resistant than the more common Grade 2, and Nivada Grenchen has achieved beautiful polishing on the case and bracelet. The finishing on the lugs is particularly impressive.

That domed sapphire crystal gives it an almost vintage acrylic look, and the way it creates off-angle distortion is really pleasing. The anthracite dial version has beautifully polished applied markers that catch the light perfectly.

The stainless steel F77 Mark II at the same $1,560 price offers a slightly different take. It's 38mm (one millimeter larger), weighs 142 grams, and has a more classical appearance. The bubble crystal effect is even more pronounced, creating that wonderful vintage character.

One note: I noticed on the Mark II that the hands don't have lume, only the dial markers. It's a bit of an oversight for legibility in the dark, though the watch looks fantastic in daylight.

And if you want something truly special, check out the F77 with a lapis lazuli dial. We stock it in both steel and black ceramic-coated titanium. As someone who's admittedly a sucker for blue dials, I can tell you it's absolutely stunning.

What Makes These Special

After 25 years in this business, I can spot quality when I see it. Nivada Grenchen delivers thoughtful design, solid Swiss movements, and genuine heritage—all at price points that make sense. These aren't overpriced because of marketing; they're priced based on what's actually in the watch.

The sizing is particularly smart. Most of these watches sit in that 37-38mm sweet spot that works for the majority of wrists. The bracelets are sized with screws rather than pins, the finishing is clean, and the little details—like that lume color toggle on the Aquamar or the swappable bezels on the Chronoking—show that someone actually thought about how people would use these watches.

Beyond What I've Shown Here

We have 19 different Nivada Grenchen models in stock, including automatic chronographs. The full collection spans from that $610 Chronoking all the way up to pieces in the $2,000+ range with movements like the Valjoux 7750 and vintage Landeron calibers.

This is just the beginning of our partnership with Nivada Grenchen, and I'm excited to be able to offer these watches to you. For a brand celebrating 100 years of watchmaking, being chosen as their first online-only retailer is an honor—and a sign that the way we do business at Long Island Watch resonates with serious watchmakers.

Explore the complete Nivada Grenchen collection at Long Island Watch. Whether you're looking for an affordable entry into Swiss watchmaking or a serious dive watch with genuine heritage, there's something here worth your attention.

Marc Frankel is the founder of Long Island Watch and the Islander watch brand, with over 25 years of experience in the watch industry. Long Island Watch is proud to be Nivada Grenchen's first online-only authorized retailer.