This Chronograph Looks Like a Vintage Daytona. It Just Got More Affordable

Based on a prototype from the 1970s, Nivada officially makes the best retro chronograph under $1,000.

the bezel and dial of a chronograph watch

Published March 28, 2025

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Updated April 8, 2025

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Since returning to life in 2018, Nivada Grenchen has built a respectable reputation by reproducing watches from the brand’s mid-twentieth-century heyday.

In 2024, the Swiss watchmaker released a 1970s-style chronograph copied from a prototype that never went into production. Dubbed the Chronosport, it turned heads for featuring sub-dials identical to the legendary Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman.”

a Nivada Grenchen chronograph watch laying on a rug — The Nivada Chronosport Mecaquartz with salmon-colored sub-dials.

While far more affordable than the six-figure market value of any Daytona, much less a “Paul Newman” reference, the mechanical chronograph still costs just over $2,000 and has since sold out.

Thankfully for tight-budgeted shoppers and avid chronograph fans everywhere, Nivada has expanded the Chronosport collection with a meca-quartz version going for less-than-half the price.

Better still, the new Chronosport Mecaquartz has three subdials, as opposed to the two on the original, increasing its resemblance to Newman’s grail watch.

the clasp of a Nivada Grenchen watch — The steel bracelet has a three-piece mic-adjustable clasp.

I had the pleasure of field testing the Chronosport Mecaquartz, and it pulled ahead of every other sub-$1,000 chronograph I’ve gotten my hands on. The movement runs smoothly, the case has some weight but feels comfortable on the wrist and the relatively compact size is refreshing.

It is the best option for fans of the golden age of auto-racing chronographs who either can’t afford genuine vintage options or don’t want to deal with the upkeep of a fifty-year-old watch.

Loyal to the era

When I unboxed the Chronosport Mecaquartz, my first thought was how small it looked. I’m conditioned to looking at twenty-first-century chronographs, which rarely get smaller than 40 millimeters.

a vintage chronograph watch from the 1970s — The 1970s prototype used to design the Nivada Chronosport.

Watches, even chronographs, were smaller in the mid-twentieth century, and the new Chronosport is true to the era with a 38-millimeter case. My wrist is on the slim side, so 38 millimeters is my sweet spot, and this is the best-fitting chronograph I’ve ever worn.

When I inspected the dial, Nivada’s commitment to reproducing 1970’s-era detailing stood out. Each detail looks like it is painted on, as it would have been back then, but with clear depth, if only measurable in a scale of millimeters.

a chronograph watch dial removed from the watch case — Nivada used a Seiko-made meca-quartz chronograph movement.

The smooth salmon sub-dials are sunken into the grainy matte black background. Each hour marker sits on top of that, tipped with orange dots that raise up a bit further. Only the Nivada logo and tachymeter track appear flat against the background.

Another detail that doesn’t stand out until you hold the watch is that the bezel is slightly sunken into the case, with the outer edge exposed at the top, bottom and both sides. It is bi-directional and does not click into place.

Under the hood

Nivada equipped the Chronsport Mecaquartz with a Seiko-made VK67 Meca-Quartz movement. It has a reputation for being reliable and easy to service. The operation is sufficiently responsive, and the chronograph reset is instantaneous, which is shockingly efficient in this price range.

a chronograph watch on a man's wrist — The 38-millimeter case size is refreshingly compact compared to modern chronographs.

Meca-quartz movements like the VK67 operate the running time like a quartz watch and the stopwatch like a mechanical chronograph.

If you are a stickler for the smooth sweep of an automatic watch, as I am, it is pleasing to see the seconds register hand run that way. It is also easier to ignore a jumping running second hand when it is tucked away on a sub-dial.

the crown and pushers on a Nivada Grenchen chronograph watch — The Nivada Chronosport Mecaquartz has a sunken bezel that is exposed at four points.

For a 38-millimeter watch, the Chronsport Mecaquartz has some weight to it, with the same wrist feel as my 41-millimeter dive watch. To quote Boris from Snatch, “Heavy is reliable. I always go for reliability.” As with any mechanical device, I feel reassured when it weighs as much as I think it should.

Final thoughts

Visually, the only issue that came up after some time on the wrist is that the double-domed sapphire crystal looks great straight on, but warps the tachymeter track when viewed from an angle.

the dial of a Nivada Grenchen chronograph watch — The Chronosport Mecaquartz dial has an authentic 1970’s appearance.

The Nivada Chronosport Mecaquartz has everything I look for in an everyday watch. It is perfectly sized, has a classic look that matches everything in my wardrobe and feels comfortable on my wrist.

Like a good party guest, the retro aesthetic and pink sub-dials call attention without making a scene, which is to say that people will inevitably ask you about it without you showing it off. Its resemblance to a legendary, six-figure Rolex is the type of conversation starter that brings watch fans together.

Availability and pricing

The Nivada Chronosport Mecaquartz is available now from Nivada for $700. It is available in a limited edition reference with pink sub-dials and a regular production model with tan sub-dials.

When ordering, Nivada offers a choice of eight different straps, including a steel three-link bracelet, tropical rubber strap, and perforated leather racing strap.