![]() ![]() My understanding is that this is for timing the countdown to the beginning of a boat regatta. The 30 min sub-dial at 3 o’clock has a red triangle highlighting the first five minutes which count down from 5 to 1. It has a matte black dial with black sub-dials that have glossy black bevels which really make them stand out. This example is from the early to mid ’60’s, and is the first generation style. Other movements used include Valjoux 92, 7733, Landeron 248 and Venus 210 to name a few. The best would have to be the venerable Valjoux 23 column wheel movement, which was also found in chronographs from Heuer, Rolex and other higher-end Swiss brands. ![]() There were also a large variety of different movements to be found in the Chronomasters. There are black dials, white dials, some with different color subdials, and some later versions with a date function at 3 o’clock or even at 12 o’clock. There were a boat load of variations made over the years it was produced. The Chronomaster can be found branded with Croton, Nivada, Nivada Grenchen, and even Croton Nivada Grenchen. Mine is signed ‘Croton’, which is the name Nivada Grenchen used for their watches sold in the US. The first generation style like my example here with the large arrow hands was made from 1963 to about 1970 when they switched over to the classic ’70’s ‘stick’ hands. Most variations are a two register chronograph with subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock, and a sixty minute elapsed time diver’s bezel. The Chronomaster made its debut in 1963 and continued production until about 1978. This name has all the bases covered! Fortunately, it’s not just a cool name, this is one cool watch as well. The watch keeps very good time although the service history is unknown.īracelet/Strap: Vintage black rubber "tropic" style strap in excellent condition with thumbail buckle.What’s in a name? Sometimes a whole lot! There are some great model names in the annals of watch history like Speedmaster, Submariner, Sportsmatic and Snorkel….but there’s one that takes the cake: The Croton Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver. Movement is extremely clean and all functions work as they should including the chronograph start, stop, and reset. Movement: Original Valjoux 7733 manual wind chronograph movement in excellent condition. There is one minor vertical scratch visible in the photos near the 11 marker. All engravings including the reference and serials numbers are intact and clear.Ĭrystal: Domed acrylic crystal in very good condition as shown. The 30 minute register features a highlighted red 5 minute countdown area for regatta timing, and elongated markers at 6 and 9, which were used for timing payphone calls.Ĭaseback: Original solid caseback in good condition. The tritium in the hour plots and hands have faded to a great even creamy patina. ![]() The case appears unpolished and retains its original chamfers.īezel: 60 minute bidirectional timer bezel in good vintage condition with only minor wear as pictured.ĭial/Hands: Original matte black dial with polished hands in excellent condition as shown. The case shows surface wear throughout but does not have any major blemishes. Take a look at the photos and our condition breakdown below.Ĭase: 38mm stainless steel case in very good vintage condition. According to the reference book Chronomaster Only, the watch features a 5th generation case style, type "B6" dial with "Croton 1878" logo and a high "T SWISS MADE T", type "C2" polished hands, type 4 bezel, and type 4 "special" chronograph pushers with a unique slightly triangular shape, all of which are original and correct to the watch, with the only replacement part being a service crown. Our example is the first version to be powered by the Valjoux 7733 movement. The Chronomaster remained popular for two decades, with a number of iterations produced, and it's easy to see why they're still popular and collectible today, especially with a modern 38mm size, manual wound chronograph movement, rotating bezel and clean well proportioned dial. This headline accurately describes all of the uses for the incredibly versatile Chronomaster, which at its time of release was one of the most well-equipped watches on the market. This was the headline of an advertisement for the Croton Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster in the early 60s, when mechanical tools were still king for measurement. ![]()
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