INTRODUCING: The Nivada Grenchen Racing Chronograph for Fratello
Borna BošnjakNivada Grenchen has enjoyed an inspiring renaissance under Guillaume Laidet’s leadership ever since their revival, and there’s been no shortage of amazing releases, both limited and non-limited in nature. There was, of course, the whimsical, yet somewhat dystopian Chaosmasters series we brought you with the help of seconde/seconde/, though today’s release leans more towards the vintage. With racing-inspired dials which Nivada Grenchen created in collaboration with our Dutch friends, Fratello, this isn’t just a limited dial variation of an existing model. The Fratello Nivada Grenchen Racing Chronograph is actually a whole new watch, inspired by the brand’s releases of the 1970s, brought into modern times.
The five dial variations consist of a white, cream, black panda and non panda, and finally the above pictured coffee/tropical brown. I’m a big fan of the textured finish of the dial, as it makes the azurage (a recent finishing term I’ve become familiar with) of the sub-dials really stand out.
You’ll also notice that orange is used extensively for the dial accents. The colour is, naturally, taken from Fratello’s signature orange, replacing the red accents of the original models.
The cases are also in line with ’70s dimensions. They measure in at 38mm in diameter and 13.75mm in height, while 44.3mm lug-to-lug reduces the large-wearing tendencies of their cushion shapes. With brushed surfaces aplenty, polished accents grace the case flanks, as well as the intermittent links of the bracelet, which continues the vintage theme with its straight-end end-links. The dimensions, combined with the oval, well-articulated links of the bracelet are sure to help it remain a versatile option, not too far from either the modern 40mm average, nor the 30-ish mm dimensions of yesteryear.
Movement-wise, the story is with the Fratello Nivada Grenchen Vintage Chrongraph is the same as with the other modern Nivada chronos. A Sellita SW510 M b is a version of Sellita’s most popular chronograph movement, offering modern performance with a 28,800 vph beat rate and 63-hour power reserve with a vintage manually wound feel. Not vintage-feeling is the display caseback, an unexpected choice, though a welcome one considering Nivada and Fratello seemingly paid attention to sprucing up this workhorse calibre.
Fratello Nivada Grenchen Racing Chronograph pricing and availability:
The Fratello Nivada Grenchen Racing Chronograph is available for preorder from the 20th of March at 16:00 CET for one week, with the window closing on the 26th of March at 12:00 CET (midnight). Only 10 of each dial variation will be available for pre-order, with more limited quantities available after the pre-order period ends. You can visit the Fratello shop here.
Pre-order price: €1,499 (excluding VAT)
Regular price: €1,875 (excluding VAT)