This Affordable Tool Watch Does Something No Other Chronograph Does

The Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver (CASD) from Nivada Grenchen ranks as one of the most versatile chronographs ever.

First debuting in the 1960s, the acclaimed “super chronograph” combined a hitherto unknown combination of features. It had the depth rating of a dive watch, a tachymeter for calculating speed, a dual-scale bezel capable of tracking elapsed time and a second time zone, and it even squeezed a regatta timer onto its chronograph minutes register.

When Nivada was revived as a brand in 2020 after decades of dormancy, it was the CASD that led the charge, and today the Chronomaster ranks as Nivada’s flagship line.

The Chronomaster has nothing left to prove, clearly, but Nivada recently made the watch even more versatile by introducing a very unique feature: interchangeable bezels.

Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

No tools required

I should begin by saying that this is not the first time a watch has featured an interchangeable bezel system. Innovative Swiss independent brand Formex launched its own version for its Reef dive watch back in 2021, and Nivada itself had a ladies watch with a similar system back in the 1960s. That short-lived collection, the Colorama VI, served as the inspiration behind Nivada’s new take on the feature.

This is the first time I’ve seen such a feature used in a chronograph before, however, and it makes perfect sense that the CASD would be the chrono to debut interchangeable bezels. After all, the watch already does so many other things, might as well add this to the pile.

Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

The way the system works couldn’t be simpler. No tools are required to remove the bezel, you simply reach under it with your fingernail and pop it off. You don’t have to apply much pressure to get it off — though you definitely do need to have a bit of length to your nail.

To apply a new bezel, you just apply even pressure to both sides and it snaps on with a satisfying click. You don’t have to worry about lining the bezels up with the dial either; they’re friction fit and bidirectional. A four-ball locking system on the case keeps the bezel in place, meaning it will only come off when you want it too.

Five looks, one watch

My review watch included five aluminum bezels. Four are in the classic CASD bezel style displaying both 60-minute elapsed time and 12 hour markers for tracking a second time zone. These came in four different colors: green, black, red and faded blue.

The fifth bezel is a two-tone bezel with a black inner ring displaying elapsed time and a red outer ring featuring 12 cities for a slightly more flamboyant way of tracking another time zone.

Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

I would like to see a bit more variety in the included bezels. All have the same functionality, and the colors are mostly pretty similar, so the effect of swapping them out isn’t as impactful as it could be. The green looks like black in most lighting, while the blue looks like a faded black. The red and red/black both play up the accent colors from the dial.

In future releases, I’d love to see some more daring colors as well as bezels that bring additional functionality. With five included, there’s no need for all of them to display both elapsed time and a second time zone. Give me a dedicated bezel for each that’s easier to read, along with other options like a telemeter or pulsometer. I think Nivada can have a lot more fun with the format, and I believe they probably will,

Paul Newman called…

The watch itself is a version of Nivada’s Paul Newman-style panda, which isn’t the Rolex homage it might appear to be. Back in the 1960s, Nivada was a contemporary of Rolex and was ordering dials from third-party supplier Singer, just like the Crown was in those days.

Some of the dials used by Nivada during the period were Singer’s “Exotic” chronograph dials, which are the same dials that most people today refer to as “Paul Newman” dials due to their use in the famous Rolex Daytonas from the period worn by the late actor and race car driver.

Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

But, truth be told, Nivada has as much claim to this style as Rolex or any other brand that used Singer’s exotic dials in the ’60s and ’70s.

Powering the watch is a hand-wound Landeron 70 chronograph movement. A decidedly old-school Swiss-made engine, it’s fitting for the watch and, if you opt for the sapphire caseback, it provides some visual interest thanks to its Geneva stripes and blued screws. I do wish the large bridge obscuring much of the movement weren’t there, however.

Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

Pricing and Availability

Right now, Nivada offers the interchangeable bezels on three models. This Paul Newman Panda and the more classic version of the CASD with broad-arrow hands and a black dial are both powered by the mechanical Landeron movement and start at $1,975, with prices increasing depending on what strap/bracelet you choose and whether you opt for a closed or open caseback. Both come with the exact same five bezels.

Alternatively, the brand offers even more of a budget option with its Chronoking. This orange-and-black model houses a meca-quartz chronograph movement, which allows it to come in at a considerably smaller price point starting at just $579. This version includes either five tachymeter bezels or five dual-time bezels, but not both: You choose which set you prefer.

This is Nivada’s first modern attempt at creating an interchangeable bezel system, and I think it’s a lot of fun. Like I mentioned already, it adds more versatility to a watch that’s already incredibly versatile, and the potential for further options and utility down the road is very, very exciting.

Nivada Grenchen

Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Interchangeable Bezel

Specs

Case Size	38mm
Movement	Landeron 70 hand-wind chronograph
Water Resistance	100m

• $1,975 at Nivada Grenchen

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