The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT improves upon the 1960s original while being very faithful
Borna BošnjakNivada Grenchen’s entire current catalogue takes heavy inspiration from its historical models, but its latest release is perhaps the most faithful rendition yet, given that it’s essentially a one-to-one design re-release, but with an updated movement and case construction. The watch in question is the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT, a watch that originally debuted in the jet-setting age of the 1960s (though with a name dating back to the 1950s), complete with a dual-crown EPSA case and signature funky GMT hand. Its modern variant improves on the movement and ditches the super compressor case, but doesn’t compromise whatsoever on the aesthetics. In fact, the proportions are even better than that of the original, and in case you don’t want to go scouring for an example with chocolatey tropical patina, Nivada Grenchen has got you covered, too (though it is limited to just 99 pieces).
The dials
Let’s start with what is basically unchanged from the original – and that would be the dial. The blocky, lume-filled indices and hands retain their shape, including the checkered GMT hand that is peak ’70s funk. The bi-colour internal rotating bezel and dial printing closely follow the original typeface, though I wouldn’t be mad at a couple of open sixes. Overall, it’s uncluttered and well-balanced, including the framed and bevelled date window at 3 o’clock.
And as nice and simple as the black dial is, I’m personally a huge fan of the Antarctic GMT Tropical. It doesn’t just have a brown dial and a rosy handset, as these elements have been conveniently pre-aged out of the factory to reflect the tropical aging so many collectors flock to. Now, I’m usually quite outspoken against fauxtina, but here, the look is cohesive and intentional across the board, and you don’t have to worry about cracked lume falling out of the hands. As some of you may know, modern materials and dial painting techniques have gotten pretty good, and they just don’t age that easily anymore, so this is a win in my book. The only shame is that it is limited to 99 pieces in this tropical configuration.
The case
Even if you had the most stunning dial ever made, but bodged the case, you’d still end up with a crap watch. This is especially true with so many vintage-inspired releases and re-issues, given their propensity to bloat beyond their original, suave dimensions. It’s as if the folks at Nivada Grenchen were hyper-aware of this, as the case dimensions could not be better. The new Antarctic GMT sits at 36mm in diameter and only 11.1mm thick. This means it’s actually poised to wear better than its predecessor as it’s both smaller and slimmer. The box-domed plexiglass is the cherry on top of this delectable vintage dessert.
Just to briefly touch on the construction on the case itself – sadly the Ervin Piquerez Super Compressor design is no more, replaced by a traditional two-piece construction. These are a rarity today, with the likes of the Christopher Ward C65 and Sherpa OPS both way bulkier than the Antarctic GMT. In fact, the EPSA case featured on the original Enicar Sherpa models as well. As a result, though, the Antarctic GMT only has 50 metres of water resistance, which is acceptable, though not great for a watch with sporty intentions.
The movement
And speaking of the Sherpa, another thing the two 1960s watches had in common were their movements, both sporting the Enicar AR-1146. This calibre used 12-hour and 24-hour central hands that were not adjustable, as the latter simply tailed the former like a glorified day-night indicator. This was common practice at the time, and it would take another 20 years for the hands to become independently adjustable (thanks, Rolex).
Thankfully, we no longer have to worry about radioactive Bakelite bezels nor non-adjustable GMT hands, and the same goes for the new Antarctic GMT. It sports a Soprod C125 that offers a 42-hour power reserve and automatic winding, with dimensions equivalent to ETA’s 2893. Its GMT module is based on a revised date function just like with most other “caller” GMT movements, meaning you can quickly jump the checkered hand forwards in one-hour increments.
The bracelets and straps
If you’re familiar with the way Nivada Grenchen operates, you won’t be surprised to find that the Antarctic GMT is offered on a wide array of steel bracelet and leather strap variants. In fact, there are no less than 21 different variants across the two dial colours, the highlights for me being the three Forstner options – Klip, beads-of-rice, and rivet.
With a 20mm lug width and versatile dials, however, these would look fantastic on pretty much any strap, so if Nivada’s options are somehow not enough, you shouldn’t have trouble fitting one of your own.
The verdict
Coming to the end of this review, it should be quite obvious that I like this watch. A lot. The execution of the dials is just great, and the fauxtinated Tropical model doesn’t look cliché. While I would’ve liked to see the water resistance upped to 100 metres, the fact that the watch is actually better-proportioned than its vintage inspiration more than justifies it in my mind. I haven’t touched on the price yet, and coming in at US$1,600, the Antarctic GMT sits on the higher end of Soprod-powered GMTs. As such, it competes with the also-excellent Lorca Model No.1 GMT and Serica Ref. 8315. Despite the stiff competition, the best-in-class case design and a unique 1970s look mean the Antarctic GMT quite easily holds its own.
Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT pricing and availability
The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT is now available. Price: US$1,600
| Brand | Nivada Grenchen |
| Model | Antarctic GMT |
| Case Dimensions | 36mm (D) x 11.1mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Plexiglass front |
| Dial | Black, aged brown |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Choice of various steel bracelets and leather straps |
| Movement | Soprod C125, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT |
| Availability | Now, Tropical limited to 99 pieces |
| Price | US$1,600 |