Arms-On Debut: Nivada Grenchen F77 Stone Dial Watches

With regards to precisely re-created vintage-style watches at a circa-$1,000 worth level, Nivada Grenchen might be in a league of its personal, as of late. Over the previous few years, the model has constructed up a formidable catalog of reasonably priced, faithfully recreated items from its personal classic archives, however maybe none of those fashions appeal to extra hype (or controversy) than the Nivada Grenchen F77. Because the model’s contender within the white-hot built-in bracelet sports activities watch phase, it’s naturally considered one of its most talked-about choices, and Nivada Grenchen is raring to broaden this stylish assortment within the wake of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024. Fairly than a easy new set of colorways, nonetheless, the latest batch of F77s takes issues additional with a two-pronged technique — some new fashions are fitted with semi-precious stone dials, whereas others totally reimagine the F77 in titanium as properly. Greater than only a line extension, the brand new Nivada Grenchen F77 stone dial fashions (together with the Nivada Grenchen F77 Aventurine, Nivada Grenchen F77 Lapis Lazuli, Nivada Grenchen F77 Titanium Anthracite, and the restricted version Nivada Grenchen F77 Titanium Meteorite) carry an evolutionary replace to the collection that makes it a real chief within the entry-level built-in sports activities watch phase.

At 37mm extensive and a balanced 12.6mm thick, the circumstances of those new Nivada Grenchen F77 fashions largely observe the template of earlier releases. Our aventurine-dialed assessment pattern contains a case in stainless-steel, whereas each the anthracite and meteorite dial choices supply the road’s first-ever Grade 5 titanium case possibility. With that mentioned, the titanium Nivada Grenchen makes use of right here is on the paler aspect, so the distinction in sporting expertise largely comes all the way down to weight on the wrist reasonably than a massively totally different shade palette. The F77 case has been chided by some members of the fanatic neighborhood for seemingly whole-cloth copying sure parts (particularly the octagonal bezel) from extra well-known built-in designs, however taken as an entire this design exudes its personal distinctive angular appeal. Sure, the polished chamfers, hexagonal screws, and robust vertically brushed higher surfaces of the octagonal bezel must be acquainted to most fans, however this bezel has historical past with Nivada Grenchen courting again to 1977 with the unique F77 and the primary case physique is wholly unique. Components just like the slim, triangular case aspect chamfers and uniquely squared-off built-in lugs give the F77 its personal sharp, charmingly late-‘70s character on the wrist, whereas the tall domed sapphire crystal provides the design a little bit of much-needed heat. A reasonably merely engraved strong caseback completes the F77’s case design, and Nivada Grenchen charges the look ahead to a good 100 meters of water resistance.

Naturally, the foremost draw for these new Nivada Grenchen F77 fashions are their stone dials, and the model doesn’t disappoint on this entrance. Our assessment pattern arrived with the deep, glowing aventurine dial possibility, including a extra space-age edge to the design’s retrofuturistic ethos. As the method of making aventurine is delicate and finicky, requiring the addition of powdered copper and different minerals to a batch of midnight blue glass at exact intervals within the glass-making course of, not all aventurine is created equal. Nivada Grenchen’s aventurine is great, notably at this worth level, with glittering galaxies of royal blue, coppery orange, gold, and white flecks showing and disappearing at numerous viewing angles towards a base of near-black shiny midnight blue. The general impact captures the sensation of the evening sky within the wilderness, and because of its small dial measurement this dial is way from overwhelming or histrionic on the wrist. Every of the opposite dial choices (which we had been capable of briefly deal with in Geneva previous to the official launch) carry their very own distinctive appeal as properly. The anthracite dial variant is by far the only and most restrained, with a matte medium grey execution of the bottom F77’s distinctive “woven carbon” dial texture. The highest-of-the-line meteorite model gives its personal uniquely textured visible drama, displaying deep striation and floor variation in a darker, moodier colorway than many rivals’ brighter meteorite dials. Lastly, the deep, richly hued royal blue of the lapis lazuli dial possibility options gentle, dreamy shade variations and an array of vibrant golden inclusions that fade into shadow when not uncovered to direct mild. Every of those dial choices brings its personal distinct character to the F77 formulation, and given the depth and complexity of the stone supplies, the model properly opts to maintain the precise no-date dial layouts fairly easy right here. Striped baton fingers and broadly chamfered rectangular utilized indices make legibility straightforward right here, whereas a comparatively restrained set of printed dial textual content and a easy white outer minutes scale retains visible focus squarely on the dial surfaces themselves.

Like earlier iterations, Nivada Grenchen powers the stone dial F77 fashions with the Soprod P024 automated motion. Over the previous few years, the P024 has emerged as a darkish horse challenger to the plethora of Sellita actions throughout the trade, and it gives broadly comparable efficiency together with a 28,800 bph beat price and an underwhelming 38-hour energy reserve. One of many F77’s most distinctive options is its unorthodox built-in bracelet, and the brand new stone dial iterations proceed this signature ingredient in case-matching stainless-steel or Grade 5 titanium. In most built-in bracelet watch designs, a novel bracelet sample is an intrinsic cornerstone of the design, however since its ‘70s inception, the F77 has as a substitute paired its avant-garde angular case with a extra acquainted, tapering three-link oyster-style brushed bracelet design. This results in quirky, doubtlessly inelegant segments just like the undersized, squarish built-in finish hyperlinks, however this mixing of two very totally different colleges of acquainted watch design provides the F77 a lot of its distinctive character.

It’s no secret that Nivada Grenchen is on one thing of a scorching streak in the mean time. The previous a number of years because the model’s revival have seen it develop into a wide range of vintage-inspired classes and set up itself firmly as one of the vital fascinating, dynamic makers of vintage-styled timepieces at its worth level. This profitable streak reveals no indicators of slowing with the Nivada Grenchen F77 stone dial fashions, which mix the model’s funky, idiosyncratic tackle the favored built-in sports activities watch formulation with an array of energetic, detailed dial choices that lend the collection a much more upscale really feel. Though the F77 Titanium Meteorite is labeled as a limited-edition providing, Nivada Grenchen doesn’t specify what number of items will likely be produced. MSRP for the Nivada Grenchen F77 stone dial fashions ranges from $1,390 USD for stainless steel-cased fashions as much as $1,690 USD for the F77 Titanium Meteorite, as of press time. This collection is obtainable for buy now by the model’s e-commerce platform. For extra data, please go to the model’s web site.