1967 Nivada Antarctic Electronic Compensmatic Cushion Case
Ref: 87005

Specification

Points of Mention

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original box or paperwork. The watch comes paired with a 19mm brown leather strap which suits the watch perfectly. The watch is from Circa. 1967 and is in worn, vintage condition, but overall very good as you can see and I would confidently call it "Near New Old Stock". The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Watch

Nivada, a Swiss watch company, was founded in the town of Grenchen, Switzerland in 1879. They saw success after World War II, producing a series of watches. Nivada was unable to sell under their name in the United States after the threat of a name-similarity lawsuit by Movado. In 1958 in time for the International Geophysical Year, Nivada supported the US Navy “Operation Deep Freeze” they created a durable waterproof, anti-magnetic watch which they named “Antarctic”. 66 countries declared a year of science. With Admiral Byrd, the watch was worn and subjected to temperature fluctuations of 100 degrees above and 40 degrees below. It was dropped, hit, snowed on, and scraped on the ice, it never missed a beat. A testament to the ruggedness of the watch.

Our Nivada Antarctic has a 35mm stainless steel cushion case. At 10mm thickness and a lug to lug length of 40mm you can be sure of a comfortable fit. On the right side, a rare signed crown. Brushed and polished surfaces have crisp edges. A domed crystal sits above a sunburst silver dial. An outer minute chapter ring is complemented with applied faceted square baton indexes marking the hours. At 6 o’clock a date window. Long baton hands have lume infill. At 12 o’clock an applied Nivada shield with Electronic underneath. On the reverse a screw-down case back with an embossed Antarctic Penguin. Inside an Electronic ESA Cal. 9150, 13 Jewels, 21,600 beats per hour. This is the first early Ebauches SA (ESA) Dynotron electronic movement. It has an electronically controlled balance motor, sweeping seconds, and hacking, which preserves the battery. First produced in 1962, the movement was rigorously tested and the development took five years before it was officially put into production in 1967. It has a prominent white plastic balance wheel with wide spokes and large electronic components, including two resistors, a transistor, and a capacitor. It was produced through 1970. It is fitted on a 19mm leather strap.

Personal Note

I am loving Nivada more and more, same with Mido & Movado, some names I personally feel you should look out for in the vintage world! This Nivada is not only stunning and beautifully preserved, mechanically it is super interesting too! To find in this condition is rare, especially working and backed by a warranty, I wouldn't sleep on this one.