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Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Spider 35mm Mens Watch Silver
Ref. 35012M01
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Stepping up in Nivada Grenchen's range
The Antarctic Spider is a faithful reissue of a 1960s Nivada Grenchen original, and the name needs no explanation the moment the dial is in view. Eight sector lines radiate from the centre to the chapter ring, dividing the sunray-brushed silver surface like a web — graphic, deliberate, and unlike anything else produced at that period or since. The double-domed sapphire crystal above it amplifies the effect, its curvature catching light and shifting the dial's geometry as the wrist moves. At 35mm across and 42mm lug to lug, it sits on the wrist with the compact authority of genuine mid-century design rather than a modern interpretation that has been scaled up for contemporary taste. The Landeron 21 inside is a hand-wound Swiss movement that keeps the case to 10.1mm — slim enough that the domed crystal reads as a feature rather than a concession to height. Winding it each morning is part of the arrangement, and the 36-hour reserve means the habit needs to be consistent. The Tropic-style rubber strap is the correct period reference for this kind of watch, and its perforated slots give a close enough fit that the buckle sits flat.
- Reference
- 35012M01
- Brand
- Nivada Grenchen
- Collection
- Antarctic
- Case size
- 35mm
- Case thickness
- 10.1mm
- Lug width
- 18mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Silver
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Manual
- Calibre
- Landeron 21
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 50m
- Bracelet / strap
- Rubber strap
- Strap colour
- Black
- Clasp
- Buckle
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 42mm
- Power reserve
- 36 hours
- Origin
- Swiss made
- Warranty
- 2 years
Learn more about Nivada Grenchen
Nivada was founded in Grenchen in 1926 by Otto Wüllimann, Hermann Schindler and Jakob Schneider, registered as Wüllimann, Schneider, Nivada SA. It was among the first Swiss firms to build automatic watches at scale, and it built its reputation on watches meant to be used rather than admired.
American sales came through the Croton Watch Company, an arrangement forced by Movado, which objected to the phonetic similarity of the two names. This is why vintage examples turn up signed Croton, Nivada, or both, and why Grenchen was eventually appended to the name.
The Antarctic of 1950 was the brand's first water-resistant automatic, and it earned its name properly: the model was worn by personnel on the US Navy's Operation Deep Freeze expedition to the South Pole in 1955 and 1956. The Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver followed, a chronograph that tried to be a pilot's watch, a diver and a regatta timer at once, and the Depthmaster reached 1,000 metres.
The quartz crisis ended it. Production in Solothurn closed in the late 1970s, the name changed hands repeatedly, and Nivada Grenchen effectively disappeared while its vintage watches quietly became collectable.
Guillaume Laidet and Rémi Chabrat bought the name and back catalogue in 2018 and relaunched with faithful reissues rather than reinventions — the Chronomaster in 2020, the Antarctic in 2021 — at prices aimed squarely at the microbrand buyer.
- 1926
- Founded in Grenchen as Wüllimann, Schneider, Nivada SA.
- 1950
- The Antarctic, the first water-resistant automatic.
- 1955
- Worn on the US Navy's Operation Deep Freeze.
- 1970s
- Production closes during the quartz crisis.
- 2018
- Laidet and Chabrat buy the name and relaunch the brand.
Manufacturer’s guarantee
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Showering yes, swimming no. 50m covers splashes and brief immersion, but a swimming stroke generates well above the pressure that figure describes.
Will the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Does it need a battery?
No. It is hand-wound, so it needs winding every day or two but never a battery.
How long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 36 hours fully wound — so it will usually stop if you leave it off overnight.
What size strap does it take?
18mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Will it fit my wrist?
Lug-to-lug is 42mm, which suits wrists from roughly 15cm (6 inches) upward.
Lug-to-lug decides fit more than case diameter does.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's, though at 35mm it sits in the range that suits anyone.
Cheapest place to buy
Goldsmiths is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference, so there is nothing to compare it against today.
Who are Goldsmiths?
Goldsmiths has been selling watches in Britain since 1778 and is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They are an authorised dealer, so a watch comes with the manufacturer’s own warranty.
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