At the  Couture Show in Las Vegas, WatchDNA contributor Cagdas Onen had the opportunity to interview with Tristan Boyer de Bouillane, Luxury International Sales Expert at Nivada Grenchen, to discuss the past, present, and future of one of Switzerland's historic watchmakers. Our conversation explored the brand's remarkable revival, its most important collections, and the vision behind its centennial celebrations in 2026.

A Century of Heritage, Reimagined

Founded in 1926,  Nivada Grenchen will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. During its peak throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the company expanded into approximately 60 to 70 international markets, establishing itself as one of the leading Swiss watchmakers within its price segment.

Like many historic manufacturers, however, Nivada Grenchen could not escape the impact of the quartz crisis. The company eventually declared bankruptcy, and its story appeared to have reached an end.

That changed in 2020.

Rather than reinventing itself entirely, the revived Nivada Grenchen chose a different path, building upon the legacy of the thousands of watches it had already produced. The objective was not to modernize its identity beyond recognition, but to faithfully bring back the models that had earned the brand its reputation.

Chronomaster and Antarctic: The Foundations of the Modern Collection

The Chronomaster was the first model to return.

Originally introduced in 1963, it stood out by combining a chronograph with 200 metres of water resistance, an unusual specification for its era. According to Tristan, that versatility remains one of the watch's defining characteristics today.

The modern Chronomaster stays true to its heritage while introducing practical updates, including an interchangeable bezel system with five different options for added versatility. Powered by a Swiss Landeron movement, it is currently priced at approximately $2,200 USD.

Another cornerstone of the collection is the Antarctic, first introduced in 1953. Today, it represents roughly a quarter of Nivada Grenchen’s total sales and is available in both automatic and manual-winding configurations, with case sizes ranging from 35 to 38 mm alongside numerous dial and case variations.

To celebrate the brand's centennial, Nivada Grenchen has introduced a special Antarctic featuring an unexpected mechanical detail. As the watch is wound, two miniature penguins animate across the dial, adding a playful complication to an otherwise classic design. Pricing begins at approximately $1,569 USD on a strap, with a bracelet adding roughly $200 USD.

The Return of the F77 and What's Coming Nex

Another standout success for the brand has been the F77, now responsible for approximately 20 to 25 percent of Nivada Grenchen's business.

Originally launched in 1975, the watch returned in 2023 under rather unusual circumstances. Tristan explained that the project began after the company discovered an original F77 posted by a collector on Instagram. After acquiring the watch, the team used it as the reference point to create an authentic reissue that remained faithful to the original design.

Looking ahead, the centennial celebrations will introduce several additional novelties. These include new La Joux-Perret movements for both the F77 and Super Antarctic collections, special editions, and new natural stone dial options for the 38 mm Chronomaster.

Tristan also confirmed that Nivada Grenchen will launch a women's watch inspired by one of its 1960s designs, with pricing expected to remain below $1,000 USD.

Remaining Accessible Without Compromising Identity

Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from the interview was not a particular watch, but the philosophy that continues to guide the company.

Nivada Grenchen remains committed to being an accessible Swiss watchmaker, positioning its collection between approximately $500 and $2,500 USD. Tristan emphasized that this accessibility is not achieved by lowering quality standards, but through an efficient business model that reduces the time between manufacturing and distribution.

It's a philosophy that allows the brand to preserve the qualities collectors appreciate, Swiss manufacturing, vintage-inspired design, and historical authenticity, while keeping pricing within reach of a much broader audience.

Looking Toward the Next Hundred Years

Celebrating a centennial often becomes an opportunity to reflect on the past. For Nivada Grenchen, it also serves as a statement about the future.

Faithful reissues continue to honour the brand's history, while new movements, complications, and materials demonstrate a willingness to evolve without abandoning its identity. Throughout the interview, one message remained consistent: Nivada Grenchen intends to continue offering historically inspired Swiss watches that deliver an impressive balance between heritage, quality, and value.