I have this watch and must say that it is a stunner! The brown dial is incredible in the sunlight , having the effect of a tigger eye crystal gem stone. Indoors, it’s a rich milk chocolate or cafe au lait, depending on the light. The dial plays off the highly polished bezel perfectly. The fit and finish is excellent. This is NOT a Rolex Homage, it is a modern release of a Nivada watch that dates from 1950, before the release of the original Rolex Explorer. However, this brown dial is a unique “explorer” (unless you have a vintage watch with a tropical dial from the 1950s) and this dial gives the watch character and beauty beyond the ubiquitous black dials so often copied over and over again from the many Rolex homages / clomages, which this is not.
I'm glad you liked this one and your complaint on the seconds hand lume is valid. I would personally go with the black dial with white lume. I'm thrilled they came out with that. I'm also thrilled this is selling well as I made a big watch purchase recently and am not quite ready to buy anything else. Hopefully I'll catch it on one of the restocks. I love the size. It should work on smaller wrists and even my bigger 7.25" wrist. I felt the Explorer 124270 in 36mm was too small, but 38-39 on my wrist looks like 36 on the wrist of smaller folks. I would go with the beads of rice bracelet. I think the price is fair and I hope those movements hold up.
This totally missed my radar. As soon as I looked at the original poster and saw there was the brown dial version left - immediately clicked buy! Got it in the beads of rice - hyped!
I'd prefer a black dial with white indices, not that I'd buy one because I have a San Martin, and closer in look to a 1016, a Timefactors Smiths, both 36mm
@@WatchChris They do. Miyota 9039 in their explorer style watch. They're a more expensive than some homages and not much better than the San Martin. Smiths does have the heritage of being worn up Everest by Hillary. Sir Vivian Fuchs wore a Smiths on the Fuchs/Hillary Commonwealth Trans-Antartic expedition in the mid-1950's. Hillary wore a Rolex on that one.
Wow crazy you came out with this today- my brown/tropic dial with the white lume on the bonklip arrived today. Very nice. Never had a bonklip- but you’re right- it fits the watch perfectly and super comfortable. These latest bonklips have a slightly different clasp which are more secure than the originals which people mentioned would sometimes come undone- so that’s good. I was always hesitant to get an explorer alternative but the fact that this watch and brand have its own rich history helped a lot. Getting to know the watch but so far my impressions are excellent. Love your channel thanks for the great content 😎
With all the issues with Soprod Newton movement vs Rolex caliber 3230?? Really, …soprod isn’t reliable. All the issues with not hacking, along with no stable hands when changing time or calendar. Their response to these issues… they are “native” to the design???
I have the Super Antarctic with the P024 movement. Doesn't have the Newton issues. It's fine, but Nivada Grenchen has some other very serious problems as to how to treat customers. And other QC problems.
I'll second the steinhard adventure. I'm wearing it now as I type this. If you're ok with the 39mm case size, it's superbly made and a great homage. I actually have the Explorer 39mm and wear the steinhart more haha. I have a 6 1/2 inch wrist and it wears fine.
Just received mine a week ago, and after a three month wait the watch arrived totally non-functioning. Would take a wind but no life in the movement. A check with the timegrapher shows no life. Sent it back for a refund to the Florida AD, and a message to Nivada going on five working days has gone unanswered. Beautiful watch but someone missed a QC on this one, and they could be more responsive to messages. I will write off this brand, as they have a little more effort to put in to for a $800 watch.
@@omegaseven5543 Must have been. I have seen other comments similar though. My biggest gripe is that no one from Nivada has responded to my message from June 2023, and that I am out $70 for shipping to and from the AD. The AD told me that they would refund the shipping but never did. So not a great experience.
Well, seems you also fell for their marketing story.... they bought the rights for the brand "nivada grenchen" but produce the watches anywhere, very probably in China, certainly not Grenchen, Switzerland. So there's your "heritage story"....
Totally true. Mine arrived nonfunctional. Timegrapher showed no life and Nivada doesn't respond to messages, also buyers are talking about their watches shipped from China with extra import taxes.
Again you have clickbaited me with the “better than Rolex” title. There is no way on earth that this watch is better made than a modern Rolex Explorer. I am no Rolex fanboy but they make brilliant watches using fantastic materials. There is no chance a watch at a fraction of the price can match a real Explorer. This Nivada is a good watch but you are full of it with this review. Sorry but I lost a lot of respect for your opinions in this video.
I in no way shape or form said that the quality was as good as Rolex. This is a historic watch that looks great and you can actually buy. It's also less than the tax on a Rolex explorer. The quality on a Rolex explorer is not 10 times better than this watch.
I have this watch and must say that it is a stunner! The brown dial is incredible in the sunlight , having the effect of a tigger eye crystal gem stone. Indoors, it’s a rich milk chocolate or cafe au lait, depending on the light. The dial plays off the highly polished bezel perfectly. The fit and finish is excellent. This is NOT a Rolex Homage, it is a modern release of a Nivada watch that dates from 1950, before the release of the original Rolex Explorer. However, this brown dial is a unique “explorer” (unless you have a vintage watch with a tropical dial from the 1950s) and this dial gives the watch character and beauty beyond the ubiquitous black dials so often copied over and over again from the many Rolex homages / clomages, which this is not.
It is a homage. I’m pretty sure Nivada did not release a 3/6/9 back in the 50s. In any case, it’s a good looking watch.
I'm glad you liked this one and your complaint on the seconds hand lume is valid. I would personally go with the black dial with white lume. I'm thrilled they came out with that. I'm also thrilled this is selling well as I made a big watch purchase recently and am not quite ready to buy anything else. Hopefully I'll catch it on one of the restocks. I love the size. It should work on smaller wrists and even my bigger 7.25" wrist. I felt the Explorer 124270 in 36mm was too small, but 38-39 on my wrist looks like 36 on the wrist of smaller folks. I would go with the beads of rice bracelet. I think the price is fair and I hope those movements hold up.
Chris, I picked up the exact same model but with Beads of Rice a month back. I love it.
This totally missed my radar. As soon as I looked at the original poster and saw there was the brown dial version left - immediately clicked buy! Got it in the beads of rice - hyped!
Thanks Chris
One of my favorite watch channels ✊
Just realized we have over 93 thousand subscribed 😮
Chris you keep up the great work. Your true to the real watch enthusiasts. This watch company is a true watch company with heritage.
Just got a vintage Nivada Antarctic myself, it's a Santos de Cartier homage watch though. It's very cute.
Excellent review and a very compelling watch. I like the black dial, but I notice they are sold out.
Should I replace my Tudor Black Bay 36 with this? As my watch alternative to the Rolex Explorer?
Well, I have the bracelet and love it on my vintage pieces but do like the watch as well, maybe better with the black dial.
How bout trying an H style bracelet or usual oyster?? The dial is classic and the brown definitely pops up than the black
ETA-2824, it must have been the most popular Swiss-made movement. So many quality watch brands have been using it.
its definitely got its own style
I was just on their website, they are all sold out, but will be back in stock 12 Jun 2023.
Lovely looking watch, although I prefer the aged version. I really don't like the bracelet!
I'm not sure about the tropical dial but the bonklip style bracelet looks great!
Also love this bracelet. I believe Nivada uses the ones from Forstner.
Great review, Chris! But historically, they never had a 369 dial? I always saw the one with 12
I'd prefer a black dial with white indices, not that I'd buy one because I have a San Martin, and closer in look to a 1016, a Timefactors Smiths, both 36mm
I've heard Smith's make a pretty nice watch. I've never actually featured one of my channel though
@@WatchChris They do. Miyota 9039 in their explorer style watch. They're a more expensive than some homages and not much better than the San Martin. Smiths does have the heritage of being worn up Everest by Hillary. Sir Vivian Fuchs wore a Smiths on the Fuchs/Hillary Commonwealth Trans-Antartic expedition in the mid-1950's. Hillary wore a Rolex on that one.
Wow crazy you came out with this today- my brown/tropic dial with the white lume on the bonklip arrived today. Very nice. Never had a bonklip- but you’re right- it fits the watch perfectly and super comfortable. These latest bonklips have a slightly different clasp which are more secure than the originals which people mentioned would sometimes come undone- so that’s good. I was always hesitant to get an explorer alternative but the fact that this watch and brand have its own rich history helped a lot. Getting to know the watch but so far my impressions are excellent. Love your channel thanks for the great content 😎
Like the watch. Strap looks a little elegant/delicate compared to the watch.
With all the issues with Soprod Newton movement vs Rolex caliber 3230?? Really, …soprod isn’t reliable. All the issues with not hacking, along with no stable hands when changing time or calendar. Their response to these issues… they are “native” to the design???
I have the Super Antarctic with the P024 movement. Doesn't have the Newton issues. It's fine, but Nivada Grenchen has some other very serious problems as to how to treat customers. And other QC problems.
👍👍👍 Another Nice Watch introduce by Watch Chris 👍👍👍
How is their customer service after purchase? I have heard some bad things....
Love the watch, nice review. I have been considering one.
Have you seen the Smiths Commando?
does anyone know an explorer homage, minimum 40 mm. I can't seem to find any.
Steinhart Adventure - it's 39 mm but wears like at 40-41 mm
I'll second the steinhard adventure. I'm wearing it now as I type this. If you're ok with the 39mm case size, it's superbly made and a great homage. I actually have the Explorer 39mm and wear the steinhart more haha. I have a 6 1/2 inch wrist and it wears fine.
Just received mine a week ago, and after a three month wait the watch arrived totally non-functioning. Would take a wind but no life in the movement. A check with the timegrapher shows no life. Sent it back for a refund to the Florida AD, and a message to Nivada going on five working days has gone unanswered. Beautiful watch but someone missed a QC on this one, and they could be more responsive to messages. I will write off this brand, as they have a little more effort to put in to for a $800 watch.
Could it have been a lemon?
@@omegaseven5543 Must have been. I have seen other comments similar though. My biggest gripe is that no one from Nivada has responded to my message from June 2023, and that I am out $70 for shipping to and from the AD. The AD told me that they would refund the shipping but never did. So not a great experience.
@@CaptainWillyandTheWonderMonkey Sorry to hear that.
Well, seems you also fell for their marketing story.... they bought the rights for the brand "nivada grenchen" but produce the watches anywhere, very probably in China, certainly not Grenchen, Switzerland. So there's your "heritage story"....
Amazing watch but I’ve heard horror stories about their QC and customer service
Totally true. Mine arrived nonfunctional. Timegrapher showed no life and Nivada doesn't respond to messages, also buyers are talking about their watches shipped from China with extra import taxes.
@@CaptainWillyandTheWonderMonkey if I’m not willing to buy a Rolex from an AD because of the poor experience then this is unacceptable tbh
Again you have clickbaited me with the “better than Rolex” title. There is no way on earth that this watch is better made than a modern Rolex Explorer. I am no Rolex fanboy but they make brilliant watches using fantastic materials. There is no chance a watch at a fraction of the price can match a real Explorer. This Nivada is a good watch but you are full of it with this review. Sorry but I lost a lot of respect for your opinions in this video.
I in no way shape or form said that the quality was as good as Rolex. This is a historic watch that looks great and you can actually buy. It's also less than the tax on a Rolex explorer. The quality on a Rolex explorer is not 10 times better than this watch.
@@WatchChrisactually by inserting a clickbait title “ better than Rolex”, yes you are suggesting that it is. Nevertheless, nice watch, nice review
I’d be all over it if it was 40+ mm
Love it!!