Difference between revisions of "Nivada Antarctic Models"

From Chronopedia
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====Antarctic III====
 
====Antarctic III====
 
Most have been observed with linen dials which are very prone to wear, damage and marking sadly. The automatic movements are normally ETA derivatives
 
Most have been observed with linen dials which are very prone to wear, damage and marking sadly. The automatic movements are normally ETA derivatives
Circa 1959-1960
+
* Circa 1959-1960
Diameter (excluding crown): 35mm
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* Diameter (excluding crown): 35mm
Lug to lug: 42mm
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* Lug to lug: 42mm
Lug width: 18mm
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* Lug width: 18mm
Height: 10mm
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* Height: 10mm
Movement: ETA 24xx and 2651 with various jewel counts.
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* Movement: ETA 24xx and 2651 with various jewel counts.
Power reserve: ~40 hours
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* Power reserve: ~40 hours
Case: All stainless steel with 6 point screwback  
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* Case: All stainless steel with 6 point screwback  
Straight lugs with bevel edge and drilled holes
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* Straight lugs with bevel edge and drilled holes
Plain unsigned crown
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* Plain unsigned crown
Domed Crystal
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* Domed Crystal
  
 
====Antarctic IV====
 
====Antarctic IV====

Revision as of 23:03, 13 February 2021

For the history of these models read here
Croton blu hand.jpg


Nivada Antarctic Early Models

The very first models appear without the Antarctic name - this appears post 1957, after the IGY US Navy Deep Freeze expedition. The watch model itself appears around 1954.

Version One - Circa 1956 to 1964

  • Diameter (excluding crown): 35mm
  • Lug to lug: 42mm
  • Lug width: 18mm
  • Large crown for ease of winding whilst wearing gloves in cold conditions
  • Movement: Various automatic ETA 1256, 23xx, 24xx.
  • Power reserve: ~40 hours
  • Case: All stainless steel, later gold plated available.
  • White dial with radium lume and steel hands with lume
  • Blued second hand
  • Most non-date, some date versions - see below.
  • Dial lettering can contain Croton, Nivada Grenchen combinations.
Early models are most popular with collectors having the distinctive hour markers, flat lugs and sometimes textured dials, known as tundra.

Version One Early Date Model - Unsigned circa 1954-57 Ref 63

CNG antarctic date.jpg
Antarcticad2-440x1061.jpg

With the same flat lug case and big crown as the first series, these contain an ETA with date dial and no Antarctic subtext. It is assumed that these were made before the US Navy 1957 DeepFreeze tour as Nivada certainly used the marketing coup associated with the expedition to its maximum on a huge variety of dials after this date. The same watch also appears with the Antarctic name in an advert. This ETA movement is mostly associated with models circa 1950-1954. The casebacks appear with various permutations of 63 so it is assumed this is the reference and the case type and movement (eg date or no date), 63L steel etc.

  • Radium dial and hands
  • 17.5mm lug width
  • ETA 1258 with signed rotor
  • White dial, silver furniture, blued second hand
  • 34mm width ex crown
  • screw caseback with 63L engraved
Linen Dial Antarctic Circa 1960s

Version Two - The Roman Numeral models

Antarctic II

Antarctic III

Most have been observed with linen dials which are very prone to wear, damage and marking sadly. The automatic movements are normally ETA derivatives

  • Circa 1959-1960
  • Diameter (excluding crown): 35mm
  • Lug to lug: 42mm
  • Lug width: 18mm
  • Height: 10mm
  • Movement: ETA 24xx and 2651 with various jewel counts.
  • Power reserve: ~40 hours
  • Case: All stainless steel with 6 point screwback
  • Straight lugs with bevel edge and drilled holes
  • Plain unsigned crown
  • Domed Crystal

Antarctic IV

Nivada Antarctic Chronometre

Click to read here about this special model

Links

Credits and Further Reading - https://www.vintagenivada.com/