210
2 months ago
This Classic Affordable Retro Chronograph Just Got a Killer Modern Makeover
Summary
Vintage? Contemporary? Why not both?
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Ever since Nivada Grenchen was resurrected by Guillaume Laidet in 2018, the Swiss watchmaker — previously known among collectors for its mid-century tool-watch mastery — has arguably become the most authentic purveyor of reissued vintage watches today.
The watches in Nivada’s modern catalog, though they use modern materials, movements (most of the time) and finishing techniques, look nearly indistinguishable from those the brand produced in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. From their archival designs to their period-correct sizes, Nivada does things the old way.
And while it’s true that the old ways are sometimes best, a more modern look can be good too. And that’s what we have in Nivada’s latest: a contemporary makeover of its affordable Chronoking chronograph that looks absolutely fantastic.
Nivada’s flagship watch is the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver (CASD), a “super chronograph” that originally debuted in the 1960s with a wide array of functions. Following the debut of the CASD, Nivada introduced the Chronoking, which added a date complication to the already-busy Chronomaster format.
Today, Nivada offers the Chronoking as a line under the Chronomaster umbrella. And while there are faithful manual-wind versions with a date, Nivada also produces more affordable Chronokings sans date that are powered by a mecaquartz movement that adds a third subdial to the normally bicompax layout.
The Chronoking we’re discussing today is a member of this more attainable, battery-powered format, and it’s undergone a great-looking cosmetic revamp courtesy of UK-based jewelry store Wallace Allan.
The Wallace Allan x Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Mechaquartz features a grain-textured black dial that looks like asphalt, with three tonal subdials sporting a concentric ring pattern. The 9:00 register tracks the chronograph minutes, while the 6:00 subdial features running seconds. At 3:00, there is a 24-hour indicator tied to the main timekeeping, a side effect of the Seiko Cal. VK63 meca-quartz movement powering the watch.
The hands of the three subdials, along with the central chronograph seconds hand, are all a vibrant royal blue. This blue is also used on the applied hour markers, which have a bicolor setup that’s blue on the outer half and white on the inner half. The hour and minute hands have white lume to match the indices, and all dial printing — including the checkered flag-like minute track — is also in white.
The watch also boasts Nivada’s interchangeable bezel system and includes five bezels that you can easily exchange yourself without the use of any tools. All five feature a combination world time scale on the outside with a tachymeter on the inside, but in different color combinations.
The best-looking, as evidenced by its use in all of the promotional lifestyle imagery for the watch, combines the same blue found on the dial with white and features white printing on the blue worldtimer half and vice versa on the tachy half.
The other four options also look great, but nowhere near as good as the blue-and-white bezel. They include a black bezel with white printing, a white bezel with blue markings, and two more bicolor options: one royal blue and sky blue, the other gray and white. All feature “Ayr,” the Scottish town where Wallace Allan is located, in place of Greenwich.
The caseback is closed, as you would expect with a meca-quartz movement, and it’s labeled “Chronoking x Wallace Allan” and “Limited Edition” to commemorate the collab. It’s sold on Nivada’s Beads of Rice bracelet and also includes an additional black Tropic rubber strap.
Nivada’s quartz-powered Chronoking with interchangeable bezels typically retails for $810 on the BoR bracelet, but you’ll have to pay a premium for this more contemporary-looking Wallace Allan version.
The watch is limited to only 50 pieces and is available exclusively through the UK retailer, where it’s priced at £820, which, as of this writing, converts to $1,135.
Johnny Brayson is an editor at Gear Patrol mostly covering watches. He enjoys watches that are packed with blink-and-you’ll-miss-’em details and believes nearly every watch could stand to be a tad smaller.
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Founded in 2007, Gear Patrol is the definitive buying guide for enthusiasts. Our independent experts test the best in cars, tech, home, outdoors, style and watches. We combine hands-on testing, decades of experience and original photography to craft reports, reviews and guides. Why? Because we believe everyone deserves the best product.
Work with our award-winning creative services studio and advertising agency to bring your brand or product story to life. Learn more.
© 2026 GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services | For Life's Pursuits™
If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more
Ever since Nivada Grenchen was resurrected by Guillaume Laidet in 2018, the Swiss watchmaker — previously known among collectors for its mid-century tool-watch mastery — has arguably become the most authentic purveyor of reissued vintage watches today.
The watches in Nivada’s modern catalog, though they use modern materials, movements (most of the time) and finishing techniques, look nearly indistinguishable from those the brand produced in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. From their archival designs to their period-correct sizes, Nivada does things the old way.
And while it’s true that the old ways are sometimes best, a more modern look can be good too. And that’s what we have in Nivada’s latest: a contemporary makeover of its affordable Chronoking chronograph that looks absolutely fantastic.
Nivada’s flagship watch is the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver (CASD), a “super chronograph” that originally debuted in the 1960s with a wide array of functions. Following the debut of the CASD, Nivada introduced the Chronoking, which added a date complication to the already-busy Chronomaster format.
Today, Nivada offers the Chronoking as a line under the Chronomaster umbrella. And while there are faithful manual-wind versions with a date, Nivada also produces more affordable Chronokings sans date that are powered by a mecaquartz movement that adds a third subdial to the normally bicompax layout.
The Chronoking we’re discussing today is a member of this more attainable, battery-powered format, and it’s undergone a great-looking cosmetic revamp courtesy of UK-based jewelry store Wallace Allan.
The Wallace Allan x Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Mechaquartz features a grain-textured black dial that looks like asphalt, with three tonal subdials sporting a concentric ring pattern. The 9:00 register tracks the chronograph minutes, while the 6:00 subdial features running seconds. At 3:00, there is a 24-hour indicator tied to the main timekeeping, a side effect of the Seiko Cal. VK63 meca-quartz movement powering the watch.
The hands of the three subdials, along with the central chronograph seconds hand, are all a vibrant royal blue. This blue is also used on the applied hour markers, which have a bicolor setup that’s blue on the outer half and white on the inner half. The hour and minute hands have white lume to match the indices, and all dial printing — including the checkered flag-like minute track — is also in white.
The watch also boasts Nivada’s interchangeable bezel system and includes five bezels that you can easily exchange yourself without the use of any tools. All five feature a combination world time scale on the outside with a tachymeter on the inside, but in different color combinations.
The best-looking, as evidenced by its use in all of the promotional lifestyle imagery for the watch, combines the same blue found on the dial with white and features white printing on the blue worldtimer half and vice versa on the tachy half.
The other four options also look great, but nowhere near as good as the blue-and-white bezel. They include a black bezel with white printing, a white bezel with blue markings, and two more bicolor options: one royal blue and sky blue, the other gray and white. All feature “Ayr,” the Scottish town where Wallace Allan is located, in place of Greenwich.
The caseback is closed, as you would expect with a meca-quartz movement, and it’s labeled “Chronoking x Wallace Allan” and “Limited Edition” to commemorate the collab. It’s sold on Nivada’s Beads of Rice bracelet and also includes an additional black Tropic rubber strap.
Nivada’s quartz-powered Chronoking with interchangeable bezels typically retails for $810 on the BoR bracelet, but you’ll have to pay a premium for this more contemporary-looking Wallace Allan version.
The watch is limited to only 50 pieces and is available exclusively through the UK retailer, where it’s priced at £820, which, as of this writing, converts to $1,135.
Johnny Brayson is an editor at Gear Patrol mostly covering watches. He enjoys watches that are packed with blink-and-you’ll-miss-’em details and believes nearly every watch could stand to be a tad smaller.
Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.
Founded in 2007, Gear Patrol is the definitive buying guide for enthusiasts. Our independent experts test the best in cars, tech, home, outdoors, style and watches. We combine hands-on testing, decades of experience and original photography to craft reports, reviews and guides. Why? Because we believe everyone deserves the best product.
Work with our award-winning creative services studio and advertising agency to bring your brand or product story to life. Learn more.
© 2026 GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services | For Life's Pursuits™
AI Description
The article discusses a collaboration between Nivada Grenchen and UK jeweler Wallace Allan, focusing on a modern reinterpretation of a classic chronograph. It highlights the blend of vintage aesthetics with contemporary design.