1960s Nivada Grenchen "Wanderer" Alarm Vulcain 120
Ref: 1427 M 8744

Points of Mention

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Nivada Grenchen box or paperwork. The watch comes paired with an 18mm leather strap. The watch is from Circa. 1960s and is sold in worn, vintage condition, wear and age can be seen throughout the watch. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Watch

Nivada was founded in Grenchen Switzerland as early as 1879, but officially 1926 appears to be its actual foundation as in 1976 they celebrated their 50th anniversary. In 1939, Nivada built up a business deal with the New York-based Croton Watch Company to enable them to import and distribute Nivada watches within the US. This successful partnership would last for many years. Nivada Grenchen was imported and sold in the US under several different brand names such as Croton Nivada, Croton Nivada Grenchen, and Croton. During the 1960s and 70s, they were not allowed to use their Nivada name in the USA due to its phonetically sounding similar to Movado, so they used Nivada Grenchen instead. In 2018, two entrepreneurs in watchmaking, Guillaume Laidet, and Remi Chabrat, have decided to revive the Nivada brand with its original legacy.

Our 1960s Nivada Grenchen "Wanderer" Alarm has a 35mm stainless steel case. Long flat-ended lugs with a lug to lug length of 42mm and a case thickness of 12mm ensures a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side, we have the alarm pusher and a signed crown. The friction fit rotating bezel has a black 12-hour insert painted with silver numerals. A domed crystal sits above a silver sunburst dial with Tritium lume pips. Slender applied chamfer edged indexes mark the hours. Elegant dauphine hands with a black arrow hand indicating the alarm setting complemented by a tapered black second hand. Text is printed at 12 o’clock with “Nivada Grenchen” and at 6 o’clock with “Wanderer”. On the reverse, a screw-down / snap back case back. Inside a Manually Wound Vulcain 120, 17 jewels, 18,000 beats per hour. The Vulcain 120 was developed in 1947 it features two barrels, one for timekeeping and the other for the alarm. (which sounds like a cricket hence the name adopted by collectors). The alarm and timekeeping barrels are wound by turning the crown at 3 o’clock clockwise or counterclockwise. A pusher at 2 o’clock enables and disables the alarm, and allows the alarm time to be set using the crown when fully depressed. The watch comes fitted on an 18mm leather strap.

Personal Note