Micro Tournament Sweet Sixteen Day 2: Nivada Grenchen Vs. Norqain

This is a tough one. But at this stage, they all are tough ones. Classic designs and history versus new movements and larger/sporty designs. I choose Nivada.

NG all day err day.

Thanks to @ChronoGuy and @Kalsota prolly will end up with one lol.

And zombie brand or not, I think is the strongest contender to win it all.

I think NG is different than other necro/micros. In short, Guillaume Laidet has an incredible passion for the brands he’s brought back. You can see it during interviews. It’s not just a cash grab using an existing name for him. He’s doing great things with all of them, too. All my personal opinion, of course.

I have some NGs and will end up with more. Besides, they’re cool, man. Just look at ‘em. The designs are from the golden era of watch design. 😆

Thanks to @ChronoGuy and @Kalsota prolly will end up with one lol.

I don’t think you’d be disappointed.

Can’t resonate with Norqain.

Mos def.

I just used it before anyone else could on here.

Love their catalog, but never forget I like to do this too....

Absolutely. Big reason I include them, despite being part of a collective.

Sorry, forgot to post the links.

Check Out The Lineups Here:

• Nivada Grenchen

• Norqain

Get daily updates and see the updated bracket here.

I'm with @Kalsota and @solidyetti ...

I'd like to see NG go all the way to the final round.

I just love everything they have done.

They have made classic designs accessible below $1k and made some great limited edition releases with vintage NOS Valjoux 23 movements.

So much to love about the brand, and remember they were on to the vintage sizes of 36mm to 38mm way before everyone else figured it out.

Owning both the vintage and the reissues, I can truly say they have maintained the continuity of the brand with integrity and that's something that will always get my vote.

Did y'all pre-order one of these Chronokings before the period ends in the next day...

https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/collections/our-watches/products/chronoking-mecaquartz-black

That accessibility is important, IMO, for a micro. On the same hand you are right they have less accessible choices too.

And if I was chrono-inclined, I'd be all over that.

Seriously, there are homages and much lesser quality options going for more than that.

Just sayin, any chrono-peeps should be all over that like big sharks are on random, unarmed actors in The Meg movies... IFYKYK. 👀🤏🏻😜

Very well said, Mel! I agree.

I’d like to see them make it to the final round, too! Heck, if they win, I’ll buy one to celebrate. 😆

And if I was chrono-inclined, I'd be all over that.

The cool thing about the Chronomaster, though, is that it’s not just a chronograph! It’s also an aviator and a diver, too! 😎

Ambitious? Sure. But it’s also quirky and fun. Perhaps a conversation piece to the right person. At any rate, it was such an odd duck that I had to have one… or two. 😆

If this wasn’t blacked out, I would have ordered day one. Sadly, never got around to picking up the other version.

Nivada Grenchen for me. Not having experience with either brand, I definitely check NG more.

Went norqain here - I'll always pick a live brand going somewhere over a zombie stuck in a loop.

I suspect NG will do another run of the original release at some point. They can also be picked up on the pre-owned market if you are interested in going that route.

It’s on watchlist! Hoping for a mechanical version, but I make no promises I don’t order the black one without a bracelet (Ie on a racing strap).

Well it depends on the model. I own the Wild One and can say it is quite surprising. The case is made of proprietory carbon fibre material, rubber protective middle part and Ti inner case that houses the movement. It is light and very shock resistant ( so they claim, haven't tested it yet 😀 ).

Movement is COSC Kenisi/Tudor BB no date 70h PR but without silicone hairspring and has 200m WR. Materials used are from renowned Swiss manufacturers that produce parts for RM, AP and others high end brands and you can feel it ( case material and rubber strap is top quality ). It is 100% produced in Switzerland and Jean Claude Biver was involved in design.

Now if it is worth 5k€ that is good question but it packs a lot compared to comps out there ( mainly Doxa Sub 300 at 4.000€ and somewhat Formex at 2.000€ ). I certainly love it and it is a great watch but didn't and wouldn't pay FRP.

For rest of their line I can't comment as I only tried them briefly in store. They are preety much all Selita based and well finished, FRP again questionable for me.

Thank you. I ask because the models that seems to always be at the spotlight are their Adventure and Everest. This add more to their story.

I have that Nivada picture pictured in the first picture. Their quality is very good. I was just disappointed with how small it actually wears so just beware of that if you’re actually gonna buy it. They’re all based off “ vintage” sizing, so they tend to wear small.

Lol that's why I'm interested 🤣😂.

The resurrected Nivada Grenchen keeps putting out hit after hit. They are doing modern vintage re-releases right.

Respect to Norqain for doing so much work in house. But NG has been resurrected with a vengeance.

Not having the money to get a NG Chaosmaster Cool Edition will haunt me the rest of my days!

I love N.G. but it’s weird they do t seem to get dogged like Vertex did for being a reborn brand

Guillaume has been super respectful of Nivada Grenchen's heritage - and that of Excelsior Park and Vulcain, which he is also involved in.

Definitely! All three brands have come a long way, very quickly.

Guillaume is also a super nice guy, enduring my fan boy enthusiasm and patiently answering all my questions about future plans for the brand at last year's Windup in San Francisco. Unprompted, he even took out a watch roll to privately show me a couple prototypes of possible future releases. Amazing guy, amazing brand! 😀

This actually isn’t the first time I’ve heard a story like this. I’ve read a few people’s accounts, in other forums, that have nothing but nice things to say after having met and interacting with him. Maybe I’ll catch him at Windup if I can ever make it. 😆

And like you, it is just a matter of time before I had add more Nivada Grenchens to my collection, whether new or vintage. 🤝

I may or may not already have one on the way.

👀 😆

I’m watching how this tourney goes.

Id get yet another. I like those 35mm Antarctics…

Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Nivada Grenchen!

I’ve had other issues with Nivada…..However, quality control of their product was not one of them. My beef with them was a “Customer service issue”….. kinda screwed my pre-order up so didn’t get exactly what I had ordered. This added insult to injury because I was one of the first ones to order literally within the first few minutes….. I wanted to be one of the first 100…, they sent me number 397.☹️ But they did throw in a couple free leather straps to try and placate me because the metal bracelet I had ordered with it originally no longer was unavailable. 🙄

I am kicking myself that I did not order one of the 35mm Antarctics when they were first available. Hoping for a second run soon. The white dial with beige luminova variant is 😍!!! Super glad you are a big NG fan too! 🤝

@Kalsota - Update: I just read on the NG website that the 35mm Antarctic will be available again in May.

Yeah, I also regret not getting one when they were released. White dial all the way!

Hey, May isn’t that far off!