In a March 2023 interview with Fratello, Nivada Grenchen’s Guillaume Laidet traced the brand’s revival to his discovery of the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver while researching Zenith’s Chronomaster. He also explained why he favored historically faithful re-editions, how the collection was organized, and the supply constraints and expansion plans he described at the time.
How did the Nivada Grenchen revival begin?
Laidet said his interest started while he was working at Zenith and researching the Chronomaster. That research brought him to the Nivada Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver. He later found the Chronomaster Only book and began looking into what was happening with Nivada.
In his account, a business connection helped turn that interest into a project. Laidet said his partner, Remi Chabrat, CEO of Montrichard Group, was working with a Mexican company that owned Nivada’s rights. The partners joined forces to acquire rights and begin the revival. Laidet summarized his reaction at the time: “I’m a vintage guy at heart, so I told him that Nivada has excellent potential; there’s something cool to make here.”
This is Laidet’s account of the revival’s origins, as related in Balazs Ferenczi’s March 10, 2023 Fratello interview.
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- Case Type: Angular stainless steel case with octagonal bezel - See-through case back|screw-down crown
- Case Size: 40mm - Band Width: Stainless steel bracelet tapers from 24mm to 20mm - Case Thickness: 9.9mm
- The Octagonal bezel is emphasised by a horizontal relief stamped dial while white Super-LumiNova enhances the visibility of the indexes.Covered by a Sapphire crystal with double sided anti-reflection treatment for clear visibility.
Why did he favor historically faithful re-editions?
Laidet said he did not want to make a re-edition that changed the qualities collectors associated with the original. He used a 42 mm case, an automatic movement and 16 mm thickness as examples of changes he wanted to avoid. His aim, as he described it, was to make watches that could appeal both to vintage collectors and to new customers without losing the originals’ character.
He contrasted that approach with watches merely inspired by vintage designs, saying, “Proper re-editions are by far more popular.” The distinction in the interview is not a complete specification comparison: it is Laidet’s explanation of the design philosophy guiding the revival.
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- At the heart of the bold design, a strong brushed-finish cushion case featuring a blue dial with signature triangle pattern and white markers with applied silver indexes filled with white luminous treatment.
- Seconds hand features signature Alpina red triangle.
- Date window at 6 o'clock, WR to 100M.
- Set on a stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle and push buttons.
How did the collection serve different buyers?
Laidet presented a spread of collections and price points as necessary for a sustainable business and wholesale operation, rather than relying on a single product line. His 2023 description put the Chronomaster at about €2,000, with entry-level watches such as the time-only Antarctic and an intermediate option represented by the Depthmaster.
| Collection position | Example Laidet cited | Role in his 2023 description |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship | Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver | The leading collection; about €2,000 in the interview’s 2023 context. |
| Entry level | Antarctic, including time-only watches | A more accessible point of entry into the range. |
| Middle tier | Depthmaster | An option between entry-level watches and the Chronomaster. |
These are descriptions and a price point from the interview, not a current price list or present-day specification guide. Laidet said the brand had established three collection pillars and could then develop new dials, executions and special editions within them.
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- Case size: 40.50 mm: Band Width: 20.00 mm: Case Thickness: 14.10 mm
- Automatic , Powermatic 80, Nivachron, Date
- Band Type: Steel: Band Length: 179.64 mm
- Water-resistant up to 300 m / 990 ft: suitable for diving and/or snorkeling.
- 2 Year International Warranty
Which models did Laidet single out?
Laidet called the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver the flagship and the model that first drew him into Nivada. He said it was the brand’s most requested watch. He also named the Super Antarctic and Antarctic Spider as best sellers, describing them as affordable watches that brought first-time buyers to the brand.
Asked which model he would want remembered as the emblem of the revival, he chose the Broad Arrow hand-wound Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver: “It would be the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver. Absolutely no question about that.” These are his assessments from the 2023 conversation, not current sales rankings.
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- Executed in a versatile 40mm footprint, the sophisticated design of the watch makes a strong impression via a silver-tone stainless steel case and a seamlessly integrated, matching bracelet
- Underneath an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the sporty timepiece makes use of a sunray orange dial, with a 3 o’clock date window and contrasting silver-tone details adding to its classic aesthetic
- Powered by an automatic movement and offering up to 50 meters of water resistance, the refined timepiece is a daily wearing choice ready for work, play, and everything in between
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What business constraints did he describe?
Laidet said Nivada was producing about 4,000 watches annually at the time and was receiving steady orders. He also described movement availability as a brake on restocking: according to him, Sellita deliveries took nine months, while some other suppliers could take a year or more. He pointed to the cash-flow burden of paying suppliers well in advance.
Those figures and lead times are Laidet’s interview-time claims from 2023; the interview does not establish current production, supplier schedules, stock or distribution. Ferenczi noted that many models appeared sold out on the brand’s website then, and Laidet said the watches were being restocked continually.
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- Stainless steel with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
- 2 Year International Warranty
What releases and expansion did he discuss in 2023?
When asked about upcoming releases, Laidet mentioned several plans or projects under discussion at that time:
- A tropical-dial Super Antarctic with 3-6-9 numerals.
- A Chronomaster capsule collection with a meca-quartz movement.
- A new Antarctic Diver based on a vintage model.
- The F77, which he said was then in development.
He also said Nivada intended to build retail points in the US, Europe and Japan and pursue more collaborations. These were forward-looking statements in the March 2023 interview; it does not establish whether those plans were subsequently completed or describe the brand’s current retail footprint or releases.
Interview source
Balazs Ferenczi’s interview with Guillaume Laidet was published by Fratello on March 10, 2023. Ferenczi noted that he and Laidet had a longstanding relationship and that he had reviewed many Nivada models. The conversation covered the revival’s origins, re-edition philosophy, collection strategy, availability and future plans.
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