Martin Jasovský When I literally ended up with a Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Singer Newman watch (I was late again), I was quite pleased. After all, I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to wear a hand-wound watch that also had a stopwatch function. Compared to, for example, automatic models, there aren’t many such watches in our selection.
Table of Contents
A Little History to Start With
The Chronomaster Singer Newman model is inspired by vintage chronographs from the Formula 1 racing era at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. It was the golden age of motorsports, when mechanical chronographs were an essential tool for measuring lap times and calculating average speeds.
The name “Newman” refers to the legendary “Paul Newman” dial—an exclusive dial type originally manufactured by Singer for chronographs from prestigious brands, which today rank among the most highly prized collector’s items.
The Nivada Grenchen brand holds an irreplaceable place in the world of chronographs. The original Chronomaster model (often referred to as the Aviator Sea Diver) was introduced in 1961 and was a masterpiece of watchmaking at the time. The watch offered no fewer than nine functions—serving pilots, divers, and sailors alike. Today’s reissue honors this rich legacy down to the smallest detail and brings the original aesthetic back to life.
Case and Versatility
This model is built around a relatively slim case with a diameter of 38 mm. This size follows today’s trend toward smaller watch cases and marks a welcome return to classic design. The case is crafted from 316L stainless steel and combines polished and brushed surfaces, adding visual dynamism. With a height of just under 14 mm and a lug-to-lug length of about 46.5 mm, these proportions ensure that the watch won’t look like an out-of-place alarm clock on the wrist.
The Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Singer Newman is a well-crafted mechanical watch with soul that does exactly what it’s supposed to do—a watch you’ll appreciate not only for its historical legacy but, above all, for how fantastic it feels to wear.
What makes this piece unique, however, is its system of interchangeable bezels. It’s a very practical concept that allows you to switch bezels without any special tools. This makes it easy to change the look of your watch in just a few seconds and match it to your mood, the color of your outfit, or the occasion.
The Dial: The Art of Legibility
The dial itself is a visual feast for the eyes. The distinctive Art Deco font on the sub-dials immediately evokes the unmistakable “Paul Newman” design. Whether it’s tracking seconds or the 30-minute chronograph counter at the 3 o’clock position, the contrasting design of the elements ensures excellent readability. The chronograph seconds hand is beautifully executed. The sub-dial at the 9 o’clock position serves as the watch’s seconds hand.
The nostalgic feel is further enhanced by the use of a domed sapphire crystal. Whereas in the past, fragile plastic plexiglass was used to achieve this shape, today’s sapphire crystal provides absolutely top-notch protection against scratches, while retaining that charming curvature and the subtle distortion of the dial’s edges when viewed from an angle.
Mechanical Heart: Landeron 70
Beneath the dial beats a precise Swiss movement—the Landeron 70 manual-winding movement.
Historically, Landeron was one of the leading manufacturers of calibers for vintage chronographs. The legendary Landeron 48 movement, developed in the 1930s, soon found its way into countless Swiss watches of various styles, ranging from practical sports chronographs, such as the Heuer Carrera, to elegant timepieces. Its revival and incorporation into these reissues thus serve as a perfect historical link.
The modern version, the Landeron 70, operates at a frequency of 28,800 half-vibrations per hour (4 Hz), is set with 32 jewels, and offers a more than adequate power reserve of around 46 hours. I didn’t monitor its accuracy during the few days I wore it, but I don’t do that with any of my other watches either.
My impressions of wearing it
I’ve been wearing the watch for about four days, and I have to admit that it won me over much faster than I expected.
Comfort: I was surprised by how well the watch fit on my wrist. The 38 mm size I mentioned is simply “just right”—it fits comfortably under a shirt, goes well with a T-shirt, and definitely doesn’t get lost on an average-sized wrist.
The overall impression was greatly enhanced by the well-fitting and comfortable strap—in my case, the Rubber Tropic. From the very first time I put it on, it was wonderfully flexible, didn’t pinch anywhere, and kept the watch from slipping on my wrist.
I didn’t have any major issues with readability either. Although this is a chronograph with a relatively small dial diameter—which also had to accommodate two additional sub-dials—the overall readability is excellent. Your eyes immediately find what you’re looking for. The absence of a date window was a plus; I can’t really imagine a watch with one anymore.
The watch ran smoothly the entire time, and the power reserve was within the range specified by the manufacturer. Just like with my other manual-winding watches, I got into the habit of winding my Nivada every morning. I didn’t have a chance to test its 10 ATM water resistance, but the watch did withstand the antics of the new kitten that recently joined our household 😊.
The Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Singer Newman is a well-crafted mechanical watch with character that does exactly what it’s supposed to do—a watch you’ll appreciate not only for its historical legacy but, above all, for how fantastic it feels to wear.
Specifications
- Case diameter: 38 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 46.5 mm
- Height: 13.75 mm
- Leg spacing: 20 mm
- Glass: sapphire
- Water resistance: 100 m
- Movement: manual-winding Landeron 70
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