Nivada Grenchen Antarctic 35 Eggshell White

It’s trending everywhere you look: the upsizing, maximalist craze of the 2000s is passé. The oversized watches that dominated the market for years are now giving way to a more understated elegance. Noisy, flashy luxury is out. Nivada Grenchen is in with a discreet combination of style and substance for the wrist. As the holiday season approaches, the Swiss watch brand unveils a timeless ‘essential’: the Antarctic 35mm, a quintessential slim and small neo-vintage classic. Old school chic has never been so modern.

“It’s the watch from that iconic advert. The very same Antarctic 35mm. Not only does it carry an incredible history, but it also won’t break the bank. The Nivada Antarctic has become a sought-after and somewhat rare vintage watch, making it highly coveted among collectors,” explains Guillaume Laidet, CEO of Nivada Grenchen.

When a new watch model is released, a key question is always: What should its diameter be? At Nivada Grenchen, the answer is straightforward: the best size is the original, period size. Why overcomplicate? Nivada Grenchen’s approach is to reissue watches while staying true to vintage dimensions and codes. “The hand-wound Landeron 21 caliber opened up whole new possibilities for us in terms of slimness (7mm case thickness and 10.1mm with the crystal) and diameter (35mm). I like the sober, assertive looks offered by small watches, as opposed to bulky, flashy ones. My intent is to de-escalate the big is better madness, be it in terms of price or size. It’s about getting back to the basics, to authenticity. Besides, 35mm is hot, no matter how you’re built,” adds Guillaume.

PURE ART DECO DIAL & ICONIC PINGOUIN CASEBACK

Returning to the basics, embracing all-time favorites, and capturing timeless elegance. As the trend of oversized watches wanes, Nivada Grenchen delves deep into its rich heritage to present a renewed expression of masculine watchmaking. This comes complete with impeccable, artfully crafted finishes, all housed in a 35mm case that epitomizes slender elegance.

While the Antarctic’s case and crown are undeniably elegant, it’s the dial that truly stands out as the watch’s centerpiece. Available in three distinct colors — black, white, and eggshell/off-white — the dial boasts applied steel indexes. At the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions we have Art Deco-style numerals, while arrowheads (you could say faceted icicles) serve as indexes. Brilliant details, both literally and figuratively. Instead of the conventional luminescent dots, we have curved, slightly orange luminescent arcs painted on the outer edge of the hour markers. The dial proudly bears the ‘Nivada Grenchen’ signature below the 12, with “Antarctic” just above the 6. Beneath it, hugging the outer edge of the minute track, a discreet ‘Swiss’. The steel hands are of the classic dauphine style, with a slim luminescent band at their center. The elongated second hand, crafted in blued steel, adds an extra touch of elegance. On the caseback, an embossed, stylized penguin on a gold medaillon serves as a nod to the watch’s heritage. Altogether, this blend of design elements crafts a remarkable timepiece, with a unique look and feel that takes you back to the 1950s at a flick of the wrist.