Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver 85001

Representing the second generation of the iconic Chronomaster, the Ref. 85001 was produced in the mid-1960s. This reference is significant for its transition to the workhorse Valjoux 92 manual-wind chronograph movement, a highly regarded cam-lever caliber of the era. Visually, the 85001 is distinguished from its predecessor (the Ref. 8221) by the use of baton-style hands, replacing the earlier “broad arrow” design. This change gave the watch a more refined and contemporary look for the time. By this period, the “Chronomaster” branding was firmly established and consistently featured on the dial above “Aviator Sea Diver.” The watch retained its core functional elements: the versatile stainless steel case, the bidirectional bezel with both 12-hour GMT and 60-minute dive/countdown scales, and the complex dial featuring a tachymeter scale and a 5-minute regatta countdown timer within the chronograph’s minute-counter sub-dial. These models were also frequently co-branded with Croton for distribution in the United States. The combination of its robust Valjoux movement and updated aesthetics makes the Ref. 85001 a quintessential example of the golden age of sports chronographs.