The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver Aquamar’s signature detail is a luminous calendar disc beneath its sandwich dial: as the disc advances, the hour-marker cutouts reveal either white or vintage-beige lume. It gives the watch two distinct looks without changing the dial. The Aquamar is a modern revival of a lesser-known late-1960s Nivada Grenchen dive watch, with a 38 mm steel case, a 200 m rating and an automatic Soprod movement.
How the Aquamar’s two-tone lume works
The Aquamar places a luminous disc under a sandwich dial, whose hour markers are cut through the upper layer. The disc carries two lume tones—white and vintage beige, described as faux patina—and advancing it changes which tone appears through those openings. The effect is a shift in the dial’s visual character, not a change to the watch’s underlying construction. Monochrome Watches attributes the idea to Nivada Grenchen CEO Guillaume Laidet, who described it as “One watch, two moods. Just twist.” (Monochrome Watches, July 23, 2025).
What kind of watch is the Aquamar?
The Aquamar is Nivada Grenchen’s contemporary interpretation of a little-known Antarctic-family dive watch from the late 1960s. The brand positions it within the Antarctic Diver line; the two-tone luminous disc is the distinctive design feature that separates this model from a conventional diver-style revival. Launch coverage describes it as a new interpretation of the historic watch (Monochrome Watches, June 12, 2025).
Case, dial and water resistance
Nivada Grenchen lists a 38 mm case diameter and 12.9 mm thickness for the Aquamar Grey. Monochrome Watches reports a 45 mm lug-to-lug measurement. Those dimensions provide a clearer sense of the case footprint than diameter alone, though how the watch wears also depends on wrist shape and strap choice.
#1 Best Overall
- DIVER-INSPIRED DESIGN — Inspired by the sea, the MDV-106B is styled after classic dive watches and delivers 200-meter water resistance at an unbeatable price point. The black resin band and stainless steel case give it a classic look, while the anti-reverse rotary bezel adds authentic dive-watch character.
- STAINLESS STEEL CASE WITH SCREW-LOCK CROWN & CASEBACK — The MDV-106B features a stainless steel case and a reliable screw-lock crown for enhanced water resistance protection. Screw-down crown and screw-lock caseback work together to keep the movement sealed and secure during water activities — a construction standard found on dive watches far above this price range.
- LARGE FLUORESCENT HANDS & INDICES FOR INSTANT READABILITY — The dial features hands and hour indices with large fluorescent areas for easy reading in low-light and underwater conditions. The clean 3-hand analog layout with date display at 3 o'clock keeps the dial uncluttered and immediately legible at a glance.
- 44MM STAINLESS STEEL CASE | 22MM LUG WIDTH | MINERAL GLASS — The case measures 44mm in diameter, 12mm in height, with a 49mm lug-to-lug length and a standard 22mm lug width — making strap upgrades effortless with a vast range of aftermarket options. Mineral glass protects the dial from everyday scratches and impacts.
- 3-YEAR BATTERY & 200M WATER RESISTANCE — Powered by an SR626SW battery with an approximate 3-year life, the case measures 49.5 × 46.3 × 12.1mm and weighs 92 grams. At 200 meters of water resistance, the Duro is versatile and suitable for all situations — whether in the water, hiking, running, or at the office.
- Case: 316L steel caseback; Monochrome describes the case as brushed and polished, with a screw-down crown and caseback.
- Crystal: Double-domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating, according to the manufacturer.
- Bezel: Bidirectional black ceramic.
- Water resistance: Rated by Nivada Grenchen at 20 ATM, or 200 m. This is the manufacturer’s published rating, not an independent test result.
- Dials: Matte blue, black and grey are among the published color options.
The manufacturer lists a 20 mm strap width. Published configurations include leather, Tropic rubber, NATO, beads-of-rice and flat-link options; check the exact reference and attachment details before assuming a third-party strap will fit.
Movement and the date-function wording
The named movement is the automatic Soprod P024. Nivada Grenchen’s product specification gives it 25 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and a 38-hour power reserve (Nivada Grenchen, Aquamar Grey product page, accessed October 7, 2026).
Rank #2
- DIVER-INSPIRED DESIGN — Inspired by the sea, the MDV-106G is styled after classic dive watches and delivers 200-meter water resistance at an unbeatable price point. The black resin band and stainless steel case give it a classic look, while the anti-reverse rotary bezel adds authentic dive-watch character.
- STAINLESS STEEL CASE WITH SCREW-LOCK CROWN & CASEBACK — The MDV-106G features a stainless steel case and a reliable screw-lock crown for enhanced water resistance protection. Screw-down crown and screw-lock caseback work together to keep the movement sealed and secure during water activities — a construction standard found on dive watches far above this price range.
- LARGE FLUORESCENT HANDS & INDICES FOR INSTANT READABILITY — The dial features hands and hour indices with large fluorescent areas for easy reading in low-light and underwater conditions. The clean 3-hand analog layout with date display at 3 o'clock keeps the dial uncluttered and immediately legible at a glance.
- 44MM STAINLESS STEEL CASE | 22MM LUG WIDTH | MINERAL GLASS — The case measures 44mm in diameter, 12mm in height, with a 49mm lug-to-lug length and a standard 22mm lug width — making strap upgrades effortless with a vast range of aftermarket options. Mineral glass protects the dial from everyday scratches and impacts.
- 3-YEAR BATTERY & 200M WATER RESISTANCE — Powered by an SR626SW battery with an approximate 3-year life, the case measures 49.5 × 46.3 × 12.1mm and weighs 92 grams. At 200 meters of water resistance, the Duro is versatile and suitable for all situations — whether in the water, hiking, running, or at the office.
There is an important wording inconsistency in that official listing: it calls the movement a “P024 No Date version” while also describing the changing-lume calendar disc. Monochrome’s launch and first-look articles discuss the calendar-disc feature, but the conflicting official wording makes it unwise to state the complication definitively without confirming the exact reference. If the presence of a date display matters to you, verify it with the seller for the specific dial and configuration you are considering.
Price depends on the source, date and configuration
Published prices differ, and the sources do not explain the discrepancy. Treat them as dated, configuration-specific reports rather than a single current price; confirm the live price and included strap or bracelet with the seller before buying.
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Rank #3
- Stainless steel case 48mm diameter x 12.5mm thick; Black dial; Luminous hands and hour markers
- Japanese quartz movement. VD53 Caliber; Assembled in Japan; SR920SW battery; watch weight: 307 grams
- Stainless steel band, 215mm L x 26mm W; Band is adjustable by adding/removing links; Fold over safety clasp
- Flame Fusion crystal; Push/pull crown; Uni-directional stainless steel bezel with black and white top bezel ring; Functional Subdials: 60min, 60sec, 24 hour; 200 meter water resistant: Suitable for professional marine activity and surface water sports. Suitable for diving.
| Source and context | Reported price | Configuration or qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Monochrome Watches launch coverage, June 12, 2025 | EUR 815 / CHF 890 | Launch-article prices; configuration is not specified in the cited price figures. |
| Monochrome Watches first look, July 23, 2025 | EUR 1,095 | Rubber, leather or NATO strap configuration. |
| Monochrome Watches first look, July 23, 2025 | EUR 1,295 | Steel bracelet configuration. |
| Nivada Grenchen Aquamar Grey product page, accessed October 7, 2026 | $1,050 displayed | Specific to the Grey product page at access; not a guaranteed checkout price or a price for every configuration. |
The launch article said the watch would be available from June 19, 2025, through the brand website and select retailers (Monochrome Watches). Availability and prices can change since that announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check when choosing an Aquamar
Compare the exact reference and configuration rather than relying on the model name alone. The useful points to confirm are:
Rank #4
- Quality Japanese-automatic movement; functions without a battery; powers automatically with the movement of your arm
- Flame fusion crystal with magnifier
- Case diameter: 47 mm
- Two-tone-stainless-steel case; blue-mother-of-pearl dial; date function
- Water-resistant to 984 feet (300 M)
- Which dial color and lume presentation the specific listing shows.
- Whether the configuration is on leather, rubber, NATO or a steel bracelet, and whether its price matches that setup.
- The exact case dimensions, including lug-to-lug, if fit is a priority.
- Whether the particular reference has a date display, given the official page’s conflicting wording.
- For a replacement strap, whether the 20 mm width, attachment, taper and spring-bar fit match the watch.
The published specifications establish the design and stated rating, but the cited coverage does not provide controlled comparisons or independent performance testing. Buyers seeking dive-use assurance should distinguish the brand’s 200 m rating from an independently documented test.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Stainless steel case 40mm diameter x 14mm thick; Exhibition case back; Blue dial; Luminous hands and hour markers
- NH35A Japanese Automatic movement, 24 jewel; Assembled in Malaysia; Watch weight: 152 grams
- Stainless steel band, 205mm L x 20mm W; Band is adjustable by adding/removing links; Fold over safety clasp
- Mineral crystal; Screw-down crown; Unidirectional stainless steel bezel with blue and red top bezel ring; 200 meter water resistant: Suitable for professional marine activity and surface water sports. Suitable for diving.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
