A Classic Budget Alternative to the Royal Oak Is Now Even More Versatile

I’m not going to waste time attempting to re-litigate which watch brand deserves credit for inventing and/or popularizing integrated sports watches, especially those defined by angular bezels and case shapes.

That’s because all of the early sports watches that helped fuel this trend in the 1970s, including the Zenith Defy collection, Tissot PRX, Rolex Oysterquartz, and yes, the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, are each great in their own way.

Nivada Grenchen

Yet one watch that often gets overlooked in this discussion is the F77 line from Nivada, now known as Nivada Grenchen.

After launching a series of revised takes on the classic over the last several years, including options with stone dials and titanium cases, a new Mark II Stainless Steel edition is arguably the purist remake of the sporty watch yet.

Here’s everything you need to know about it.

A Brand On the Comeback

Nivada Grenchen

Nevada Gretchen’s absence from the integrated sports watches debate cannot best be blamed on a lack of historical provenance.

The Swiss watch brand’s roots date back to 1879, and the original F77 was first produced in 1977.

However, the brand was also one of many watch companies that fell victim to the quartz crisis and lingered largely in obscurity for decades.

The result was while the Nivada name remained relevant with value-focused vintage buyers throughout that time, the company’s obscured role in the new watch scene undoubtedly created a blind spot for the brand among younger watch enthusiasts.

Then, in 2020, Guillaume Laidet, a man with a Midas touch for watch brand revival, rebooted the brand.

Back to Basics

Nivada Grenchen

The new Nivada Grenchen F77 Mark II Stainless Steel edition is, in many ways, a more authentic feeling follow-up to the F77 Automatic, which was initially launched in the summer of 2023.

As the name implies, the 38mm case is made entirely from 316L stainless steel. It’s also slightly thinner at 12.20mm than the first F77 reboot references launched in 2022.

Its natural black onyx dial is likewise far simpler compared to the beautiful but busy “mythical dialed” versions made with various stones, including meteorites.

Nivada Grenchen

Last but not least, the watch lugs have also been reworked to provide more bend to the bracelet, addressing a common shortcoming of integrated sports watches that surprises many first-time wearers.

The slight change allows the watch to hug the wearer’s wrist more tightly, improving its comfort and fit.

But if integrated bracelets aren’t really your thing, the F77 Mark II is also available with a velcro or black rubber strap.

And Bolder Trends

Nivada Grenchen

Anyone interested in a bigger statement piece that’s still affordable may gravitate more toward the new F77 Mark II Gold.

It combines all of the improvements of its stainless steel sibling with an 18K yellow gold-plated case that’s guaranteed to catch attention. And this version only costs $200 more.

Pricing and Availability

Both Nivada Grenchen F77 Mark II references are now available from the brand’s website. According to the brand, deliveries for the new model are expected to begin in early July.

Nivada Grenchen

Nivada Grenchen F77 Mark II Stainless Steel

One of watchmaking’s best affordable Royal Oak alternatives gets a purely distilled remake in the form of the F77 Mark II Stainless Steel. True to its name, the 38mm case is made entirely from 316L stainless steel, which clocks in slightly thinner than the F77 reboot from 2022. It also boasts a gracefully versatile black onyx dial.

• $1,490 at Nivada Grenchen

Nivada Grenchen

Nivada Grenchen F77 Mark II Yellow Gold

• $1,690 at nivada.com

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