Nivada Antarctic Models
For the history of these models read here
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 original watch model itself appears around 1954/55. There is a great deal of cross-referencing with the Aquamatic models of the same period and the two names appear interchangeable on some models. Between 1957 and 1964 there are a wide variety of model ranges and styles using the Antarctic nomenclature. from rugged explorer watches, to divers and all the way up to dress watches and expensive certified gold chronometers. Nivada and Croton used the marketing kudos of association with the US Navy Deep Freeze expedition to its fullest and it even continues to this day with the new company offering an Antarctic in its range, alongside the famous Chronomaster.
Movements will carry the COW stamp on US imported models. This denotes a Nivada Grenchen SA movement, imported by Croton.
This cataloguing of Antarctic models finds a natural break at the start of 1964. The reason for this is the appearance of the T denoting tritium dials and/or hands is made compulsory in Switzerland after this date. It makes dating a watch slightly easier. The absence of any company history and inability to produce extracts from any archives makes precise dating and chronology of the range an inexact science at best. This is entirely a work in progress and as more collectors provide information we can begin to fill in the gaps and establish a fuller history of these amazing watches.
Early models are most popular with collectors having the distinctive hour markers, blued second hand, flat lugs and white sometimes textured dials, known as tundra and glacier. They capture the purity of the original concept of a rugged accurate waterproof watch able to withstand the elements.
Antarctic Only (AO) Dials
AO V.1a Early Model - Sterile Dial circa 1954-57
With the same flat lug case and big crown as the first series, these contain an ETA with and without 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 although this may be some kind of other case coding or year dating.
- Radium dial and hands
- Domed crystal with cyclops (square or round)
- 17.5mm lug width
- ETA 1258 with signed rotor
- White dial, silver furniture, blued second hand (steel on gold-cased models)
- 34mm width ex crown
- screw dodecahedron caseback with 63L engraved (steel) 63Y (20micron rolled gold)
- Larger winding crown
AO V.1b - Circa 1956 to 1964
The Antarctic signed dial first appears, in conjunction with the US Navy Deep Freeze expedition.
- 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.
AO V.1c - Circa 1963 onwards
Same bevelled case but change of logo and font indicate a later model.
- SWISS MADE but no T on the dial.
- Different crown to original issue.
- Nivada only on dial and 21 Jewel count.
- Stylised Antarctic font.
- Different hour markers and no numbers.
- Gold plated version also seen with gold hands and simple baton markers
AO V.2 Antarctic D dial
It may be that the additional D stands for Date on these models.
- Circa 1960-64. No T on dial.
- A different case with straight beveled lugs
- Partially concealed crown
- Linen dial and slightly different hour markers. Blue second hand remains.
AO V.3 Antarctic Glacier Dial
Very unusual and distinctive styling gives this rare model a unique appearance and appeal to collectors. The dial has a hatched linen appearance which is echoed with the thin outer bezel. The polished markers and hands are set off by the polished steel case ring outside the crystal. A 6 point caseback, red dial wheel with trapezoid window and very thin lugs give this example a real dress feel, one to slip on under a tuxedo. It is quite mesmeric to look at and changes colour depending on the light. Estimated manufacture period 1960-64.
- 34mm width ex crown
- 17.6mm lug width
- 39mm lug to lug
- small lugs with delicate faceting
- 6 point screwback case
- Domed crystal with cyclops
- Pre 1963-4 SWISS marked with no T on dial.
The Antarctic Roman Numeral (ARN) models
Antarctic II
Antarctic III
Most patterned dials have been observed with some marking- they are very prone to wear, damage and water ingress sadly. The unsmooth surface attracts dust and traps moisture. Pristine examples command a premium and will normally be NOS unworn.
The automatic calibers are normally ETA or AS movements with signed rotor and COW stamped on US marketed models
- Circa 1959-1964
- Linen dial with silver furniture and lumed silver hands, radium or tritium. Later models post 1963 have T on the dials.
- Diameter (excluding crown): 35mm
- Lug to lug: 42mm
- Lug width: 18mm
- Height: 10mm
- Movement: ETA 2451 and 2651 with various jewel counts including 17, 21 and 30 which may also appear on dial.
- 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
Gold plated version of the Antarctic III. Same font style, linen dial and gold markers. Crown slightly larger than the steel version. ETA movement again with 17, 21 or 30 jewel count.
Post 1964 models
For more about the Antarctic models released after 1964 please read here - Nivada Antarctic Late Models
Nivada Antarctic Diver Models
Although the original Antarctic watches are waterproof and fairly rugged, there was clearly a marketing move to appeal to a wider audience with diving watches being a suitable move away from the more formal dress nature of the 1957/57 line. An entire range of diver models are seen with the Antarctic name, including Submarino, Antarctic 200, Super Antarctic from the early 1960s onwards and the name has continued in some form or other with Quartz and lesser models. Read more about the original and collectible models here.
Nivada Antarctic Chronometre
Rare chronometer version of the standard watch - sometimes seen in solid gold Click to read here about this special model
Links
Credits and Further Reading - https://www.vintagenivada.com/
