Croton Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster
Croton Nivada Grenchen Chonomaster
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.
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.
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
Valjoux 23
Landeron 248
Valjoux 7733
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.
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
SUSSEX
LE MARC 100
LeMarc's were sold exclusively by the Jewel Box a southern regional jewellery chain
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.
