Two Unique Entry-Level Mechanical Chronographs You Should Know - Nivada Grenchen & Excelsior Park
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
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In this video, I'll shine a well-deserved light on two microbrand chronographs with intriguing Swiss roots and impressive price points. What do you guys think of Nivada Grenchen and Excelsior Park?
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Im happy that Nivada is getting the love they deserve
I'm hearing that their QC is problematic
I’ve been fortunate enough to have purchased 3 Nivada watches in the past 18 months including the manual wind chronograph featured here. They are truly excellent and punch well above their weight. So glad you’re giving them some recognition, they truly deserve it!
Thanks for sharing your experience as an owner Michael!
Yo teddy I really like these types of videos, learning about smaller brands and their history is really interesting.
Happy to do more of it in the future. Thanks for the encouragement on doing it.
This Nivada Grenchen keeps popping up in my radar, can't escape it, I think I'm hooked. I really like its old-school looks -- incredibly true to the original -- and I appreciate the original designer's audacity in jamming together three different watch types into one do-it-all. Also thankful for the size -- when I first saw it I would have guessed that it would be far too big for my 17cm wrist, but not so, especially with the manual wind being slightly thinner. Hoping to get one on the wrist at NYC's Windup Watch Fair in October.
we will be in NYC ;-)
Same, I can't get it out of my head! Some day...
@@calebnewton_ It was in my radar during many month and finally I bought a Super Antarctic green lume. I'm not disappointed! The watch is beautiful, works perfectly. You really have the feeling you wear something much more expensive when you have it on the wrist. For me this is a superb watch, well done Nivada (and the lume is very powerful on this model)
Yees!!! You finally covered Nivada Grenchen.
Love the chronomaster ❤
Thanks for covering Teddy!
These were 2 of my favorite brands when I saw and got to handle them at the Worn and Wound Wind-Up in San Francisco a few months ago that left a positive impression in my head. They have nice variations within these chronograph models, too.
I believe the guy, or group, responsible for these brand revivals is also responsible for bringing back the recent Volcain Cricket.
It was great to be able to speak with the brand(s) owner at the Wind-Up about both brands. Very approachable and had a good short conversation about these as well as the cool Depth Master retro diver, too
You are correct, the same guy is involved with Vulcain. I am glad he tapped me on the shoulder in Switzerland.
I'm fortunate to own five watches with Excelsior Park movements. It's one of the nicest chronograph movements I own if not the nicest. The pushers are the smoothest I have on any chronographs, including my Breitling B01. People don't realize what a high quality movement Excelsior Park is.
@@donutheist I haven't heard much from them for a long time and their watch stock hasn't really been replenished, I think. Hope they're actually still in business.
No wonder I purchased Vulcain CRICKET CLASSIQUE and Excelsior EP95002 in the past year , both are awesome.
Really like hearing about and seeing the smaller, lesser known brands. Especially the more affordable ones. Thank you.
Thank you for showcasing these two watches and giving historical context about the brands and the owner. I admire the Nivada Grenchen Aviator Diver watch with a splash of red on the sub dial. Quite fetching.
Teddy, oh Teddy, why are you doing this to me. Almost every video you release adds a new timepiece to my "must-have" list. Great content as always. Continue your good work, I really love your nuanced and well-articulated opinions about timepieces.
That Excelsior Park looks just ... 😍👍🏼
I already have that Micro Brand Blog in my "favorites" ... Love to see what Micro Brands come up with and it's nice to discover gold nuggets.
Thanks for sharing!
Will be adding more to the list this year!
The dial finish on the Excelsior Park is quite similar to the Longines 1945....and that is a good thing.
Merkur Vintage 70s Pilot Chronograph, I got it this week and I’m blown away with the execution. So far running -1 to 1 S/D , it’s got the open case back so you can look at the ST19 , the strap is a nice leather strap, the movement has a column wheel which I didn’t know it had it, what can I say this should be your first mechanical chrono before jumping the gun on a more expensive piece. I’m looking at Seiko’s SarK011 since that one has vertical clutch and tricompax register plus date complication…..
Always refreshing watching your videos.
Great video, and well done to the team at Nivada Grenchen!
love the music with the watch photos transition!
Teddy, it is videos like this that are the reason why I subscribe. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the videos on the mainstream brands, but learning about interesting, lesser known watches is what I love.
Both are beautiful. I especially like the size (38 and 39 mm), but design and quality movements are noteworthy as well. I love these videos about lesser known brands who produce high-quality watches at attainable price points that, even without the brand equity today, can be timeless in design.
Those are really nice watches. Love the vintage looks. The Excelsior Park is a winner.
I always look forward to your videos. I love getting a notification when you upload
Love them. Keep covering the micros and independents please!! I've not yet seen that Excelsior Park and I think it's beautiful.
Thanks for another great video Teddy! I enjoy expanding my knowledge of watchmaking history and the Excelsior Park’s dial is sublime. Definitely a tempting, off the path prospect.
I am spoiled. I like automatic watches. I always feel like I am going to break the mainspring in a manual.
I have the same feeling :) I bought a brand new speed pro sapphire about a month ago (for my 30th birthday 😊) and yeah at the beginning I was afraid but now I just turn till it obviously stops and it's fine. I think you cannot really break it except if you want to. :)
@@KimiRai-lf3gn true! Happy late Birthday brother!
I recently broke mine on my Seagull 1963, so you can definitely overwind 😕
@@toto-yesyesnono-1737 thank you very much bro ! 😊
@@fkos86 sad for you :/ I will pay attention with mine :/
Teddy, please keep doing these videos. It's nice to see reviews of the big name watch offerings, but part of the fun of this hobby is to learn about all kinds of watches, including ones from lesser known makers. That being said, I like both of them, but if I had to pick one, I would probably pick the Nivada.
I love both of these pieces, and would love to add them both to my collection. I was inspired by the Nivada enough to jump on a vintage Croton branded model in my local Consignment shop. Such an under-the-radar chrono that should be mentioned in the same conversation as Heuer and Breitling IMHO.
Very refreshing. There are people who gets put down by the wasteful glamour of the big brands, and just want real enthusiasm and dedication. The smaller brands often have an ethos that it is possible to take serious.
Really like the Excelsior Park! I picked up that the guy responsible for these also had a hand in relaunching Vulcain. I have a Vulcain Meteor III from the 60s I bought a while back. In the shipping from Switzerland, something appears to have happened and it's not running correctly, but it was in such beautiful condition that I decided to keep it and get it repaired. The movement was an ETA so I'm crossing my fingers it can be fix (or an ETA movement can be found to replace it if necessary).
I appreciate that you show lesser known brands as well! :)
It's great to hear about brands we've never heard of. These were both watches worth knowing about, and I would like to see more videos of this type.
I really liked the beginning where you told the story from the events in Switzerland. I'm not sure if your viewers mainly just want watch reviews, but i would love more content like this with interactions with companies. I loved your video with Sylvain Dolla
TeddyBaldassarree
Russell today is actually your lucky day !
I’ve got something for you !
They are both nice looking watches. They dial color on the Excelsior is very good.
Hey Teddy, lovely video! Have you considered including in the description the watch you’re wearing in the video? May be worth a shot. Love from Canada 🇨🇦
I own a rare vintage Nivada, from their Antarctic heyday, and it's my favourite piece in my collection. My father kept it for me. Glad to hear the brand get mentioned as relevant in 2022.
I love these types of videos and hope you do more! I have seen enough of the Major brand offerings so seeing something different that still has a history is very welcome and refreshing!
The retro watch is a new one ! I really love the look and quality of the do it all Nivada Grenchen....and yes, by all means, keep finding and presenting these dark horses !
I really like both. On the Nivada, the price of a beat up vintage piece is the same as the new one. Makes for an interesting decision.
Fantastic video always Dy! When I saw the title, “entry-level” I assumed it was something perhaps in the $100 range but these are just under $2,000! That’s not what most would classify as “entry-level.” Right?
The key words are “Entry level mechanical chronograph”, you’re not going to find this type of watch anywhere else for under 2K.
Excelsior Park rings the same bell as Baltic and Habring but still does it its own, very elegant way. And NG is really in the domain of its own. Both watches are great additions to any collection, especially at a price point. And I really like this path of our little useless watch hobby: dig and find something really interesting instead of going default path most of the times.
The Nivada Grenchen vintage look and size are quite atractive while the EP is really beautiful and looks like a more expensive watch. Great review and introduction to very good not mainstream alternatives
These two watches really fall into the type and style I like!
I just discovered Nivada yesterday and was going to see if Teddy had heard of it. Of course he has!
The Excelsior looks awesome, nice video and keep the good work my friend!
The Nivada is spectacular. need to pick one of those up. Hope they're well made and well supported.
The clasp on the Nivada seems quite fitting, given the old-school charm of the watch.
But my money would go towards the salmon dial.
Both are sharp though! Thanks for sharing them with us.
I've had the CASD for over 30 years, and it has never been serviced and is STILL KEEPING BETTER TIME THAN MY ROLEXES! Amazing!
Helpful!
Keep covering these smaller brands.
Thanks for the great review ! From the guy tapping the shoulder ;-)
Haha, sounds like a bot replied
That Nevada I think is the one for me. It large for my skinny wrist. Covers everything I think. Very nice.
Really like that Excelsior Park.. Looks great and specs seem to be right on.!!
Yes, please, more brands like these that uphold a certain quality, but are interesting in their own right.
Appreciate introducing us to these watches. Was impressed by both of them.
My vintage N-G Chronomaster is one of my very favorites. It's a Cousteau-era diver whose every bump and scratch reveals a prize fighter's character. Thank you for pointing out my next major acquisition.
Your watch reviews are excellent Teddy. You go from strength to strength. I own a 1950s Nivada 'Compensamatic' .It is still running well with only one service in the mid 1980s. PS Gretchen is pronounced Grenken ;-) Thank you.
I have a small wrist and you just gave me a brand to consider if i was in the market for a chrono. Cool looking watches.
Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver 86012M. New acquisition at Windup Watch Fair in San Francisco. Love it. Happy to see your report from last year. This watch and brand should rise in profile with watch enthusiasts. Would love a review of my watch model and the Paul Newman variants of this Chronomaster line. Cheers!
The Excelsior Park looks amazing. I think it would look even better with a fine brown leather strap.
The Excelsior is really nice. Looks like the Fears Brunswick for half the price. Micro brands make the most interesting dials.
I have been following Nivada for the past year or so and really enjoying what they have been doing. Nice video!
Keep covering all the different brands. It’s one of the things you do really well.
Love seeing microbrands and watches that most of us can afford. I definitely like watches that aren't as familiar. As an example, some that I won are Edox, Certina, Eterna, Geckota, Vilhelm and Epos - as examples. I love the different. So those of us with this type of mindset enjoy these types of videos - thanks!
I had never heard of Nivada Grenchen until this weekend. My girlfriend's uncle told me that his boy scout troop had given him one for outstanding achievement. Now I want one. LOL
I have the chronomaster, use the Forstner klip for the band. I love it!
Nice music in the intro. Thanks for not making it too loud.
I liked the Nivada but the register at 3 o'clock was too busy. I was put off by the distortion in the Excelsior Park, but it had a much better dial layout with simple registers at 3 and 9 o'clock.
Paul today is actually your lucky day !
TeddyBaldassarree
They both appealed to me. I liked the Nivada Grenchen because divers are my favorite style of watch and a mechanical chrono in that style is very cool. The Excelsior Park is just a classy watch, period, but to get that understated class in a mechanical chrono is, again, very cool.
That excelsior park is beautifully done. Lovely macro shots.
This is a very enjoyable video.
I love to see these watches that are not mainstream but actually
have a history.
I really like the Nivada Grenchen
and I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Thanks.
These are better buys than other microbrands. Both have substantial history and are reasonably priced
OMG the Nivada...!!!! Amazing. And the other one is simply beautiful. Thank you for bringing them. Great video only... Were you speaking faster than usual? Not that you're particularly slow anyways but today I kind of had a hard time trying to keep up with the pace. Love your channel tho. Cheers!!
If I was in the market for a chrono I would be tempted by either of these, the beads off rice bracelet would have to go but I would probably wear that a lot. The salmon dialled one is gorgeous but probably too smart for my style.
Teddy, as always awesome content. I love seeing new brands, whether you call them micro or independent.. love them. they are doing some awesome stuff that their bigger more well established contemporaries can't or wont. I love that excelsior park..wow. thanks for putting it on my radar. keep up the great work.
Great video. I have always loved NG. That Excelsior dial is beautiful--thank you my friend.
NG is my pick of the two. Love seeing microbrands featured.
I think that its great you are giving smaller companies some exposure. I'm sure the Rolex-Swatch Group-etc juggernaut would like these brands to go away so they can continue to artificially inflate prices, similar to what De Beers does with diamonds. Keep it up!
Great video as always Teddy. I love it when you showcase microbrands, as art/style can happen at all levels of expertise.
Another microbrand I think you'd love, based in Switzerland, with roots in Cuba, is Cuervos y Sobrinos. Hope to see a review of them with your incredible presentation.
The Excelsior Park is a beautiful watch , thanks for presenting these watches
Wonderful introduction. I like the watches and these are really for the enthusiast collector…❤
Please keep on lesser known brands. It is much more interesting to hear about them compared to hearing 1000th time about Hamilton Khaki Field (lovely watch but I believe we've heard enough about it)
I’d like to hear a bit more about the movement, including its specs and an assessment
Thanks Teddy for listening to my thought that I suggested sometime ago. Definitely showcasing these small microbrands will shade light on these for enthusiasts to expand their horizons and options
Thanks for a really great video Teddy. Both very interesting pieces and certainly bargains. I particularly like the EP. Keep coming out with these guys are videos.
Thanks Teddy for bringing this small brand to light 💡 good job sir.
The EP is a Very Nice Watch!!!
Thanks for sharing these type of watches ...Keep up this kind of videos..!!
Love learning about microbrands. Keep doing these!
Very impressive watches. Love the designs and impressive prices for chronos. The Excelsior's dial makes me think of the gorgeous Fears Brunswick Salmon.
The Excelsior Park is just stunning and gorgeous.
Cool video, I'm really intrigued by the Nivada Grenchen.
Being a second generation watch collector I really cherish the wonderful smaller watch companies like Nivada, Nomos, Traska, Balmer, Baltic and Brew.
I think that Nivada is quite nice. I'm glad you toss us some cool random finds and little known brands like this. It would get boring if you only talked about mainstream watches.
I enjoy seeing all the different options we have.
Wish we had Nivada Grenchen available for sale in Mexico, instead we have a fashion watches brand called Nivada Swiss, named like that after one of Mexico’s richest men bought the name in early 2000’s.
Pink dial watch is stunning
Heya, Teddy. Any interest in doing a Vaer or Jack Mason review? Those are the two most intriguing American brands I’ve been researching recently.
Both are phenomenal pieces of art, but if I would pick one I'd go for the nirvana with a brown leathers strap for vintage looks. Thats Teddy, never would I come across these two gems without your answering to a random pat on the back.
oh how I wish the Excelsior Park was 37mm. 39mm seems a little large for such a thin bezel. 47mm lug to lug is spot on
Like both but that NG is a real eye catcher! Dimensions look spot on for my small to midsized wrist. Like a speedy moonwatch with a more cache. I'm probably in the minority here, but could do without the splash of red on that subdial. Maybe gray instead for me.
Love this video, and both watches!
The Excelsior can be had with a black dial (EP95003), which I think is even more spectacular.
Agree
Great selection. Yes please
Those are such beautiful looking watches. ❤
Nice to hear your transparent reviews on some more niche brands - if you can do more of these from time to time, then I'm sure the community would welcome the change. I would consider micro-brands like VERTEX (Revival of a British watch with bags of history), AIRAIN (French Type-20 redition) and the LEBOIS & CO CoLAB Heritage Chronograph ... both coming out of a company in the Netherlands.