Croton Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster
Croton Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster
Nivada hit a legal hurdle when trying to sell in the USA, thanks to Movado who felt that their names were too similar and would confuse consumers. A judge ruled that adding ‘Grenchen’ to the title would suffice, and so watches sold thereafter are labeled as such.
In 1940 Croton was formed to distribute Nivada watches to US retailers, and subsequent watches could be found bearing the name ‘Croton’, or ‘Croton Nivada’ or even ‘Croton Nivada Grenchen’. By the ‘60s, Nivada had hit their stride with watches like the Chronomaster, Aviator, Sea Diver. The unique design and functionality of these watches struck a high note with consumers, and Nivada saw their exports go from 52,000 in 1964 to 173,000 in 1969 as a result. Croton also worked with jewellry stores to promote their wares, with a number of shop branded examples shown below.
The CASD is a classic 1960s diver going through several iterations (like the Omega Speedmaster), with tritium, radium, broad arrow and baton hands, brown chocolate aged dials etc etc. They now have a big following, greatly enhanced by the recent Chronomaster Only book in 2018. The model has recently been reissued by Nivada in both manual and automatic versions but retaining a faithful appearance to the original.
Model One - straight lugs 1961 to circa 1971
This is the version covered in the Chronomaster Only book and most popular with collectors. They will appear with a variety of brand names. There are 5 main versions depending on the movement:
Venus 210
The very earliest versions have Chronograph rather than Chronomaster on the dial. Up to 1963 the dials and hands are radium with no T on dial. They are often found with browning dials due to a faulty lacquer used by Singer, the dial manufacturer. See also the VJ7733 models for the same problem in late 1969/70.
Valjoux 92
Short term replacement for the old Venus 210 movement. Quickly replaced by the VJ23
Valjoux 23
The movement seen in most Nivada versions from 1963 to late 1960s.
Landeron 248
Used by Croton post 1966.
Valjoux 7733
Seen in all the late 1960s models onwards. Robust reliable movement used by hundreds of watch manufacturers and retailers.
Other Branded Versions
The CASD has been seen with the following company names, all being done with Croton in the USA and normally local jewelry stores:
Rudolph's Dependable
Jewellry chain in upstate New York near Albany. Close to the Croton headquarters. VCery rare model made in 1961-62 only with radium dial and hands. Dial marked Chronograph and not Chronometer. Seen with Venus 210 and Valjoux 92 movements.
Pierre Vallee
Trademark first used anywhere: : 12/14/1966 - possibly a Chicago-based jewellry chain
Austin Premier
The brand Austin was created by Gordon Jewelers of Austin Texas.
GUILDCREST
Southwestern Wholesale Jewelry Company.
SUSSEX
Read more about Sussex here
LE MARC 100
LeMarc's were sold exclusively by the Jewel Box - a southern USA regional jewellery chain. This example has a very brown tropical dial, typical of those black dials made by Singer circa 1969-1970.
PAUL DUPREE
Believed to be a subsiduary of Croton. Valjoux 7733. Ref 107- ***?
Film and TV appearances
The CASD was seen regularly on the wrist of Brian Kelly, star of the Flipper films and TV series. He also wore it in several films including "Around The World Under The Sea".
Model Two - cushion case circa 1971 to 1978
Most with similar dials but in new background colourways such as green and red. Valjoux 7733 found in most examples. For more on the Series Two CASDs please click here.
