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In the mid-century battle for the American watch market, Croton was a formidable player. As the U.S. partner and importer for the legendary Swiss manufacture Nivada Grenchen, Croton built its reputation on offering incredibly robust, professional-grade tool watches (like the iconic Chronomaster) to a new generation of active, adventurous consumers.
The “Aquadatic,” as its brilliant name implies, was their answer to the Omega Seamaster or the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. It was the quintessential “go anywhere, do anything” watch, combining the robust “Aqua” water-resistant case technology with the convenience of an “Automatic” self-winding movement.
This watch is a perfect child of the 1960s. The stainless steel case is classic, with sharp, elegant lugs that give it a timeless profile. It’s powered by one of the most famous “tractor” movements of all time: the ETA Caliber 2472. This 17-jewel automatic was a legendary workhorse, renowned for its absolute reliability and ease of service, making it the perfect engine for a watch that was truly built to be worn every day.
This particular example is in beautiful, honest condition. The original silver dial has aged with a light, lovely “stardust” patina, giving it a warm, vintage character. The dial layout is wonderfully balanced, with applied Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 adding a touch of sporty, mid-century style. But our favorite detail is the date window, which features a vibrant red numeral, a charming, subtle flourish that just pops against the silver dial.
