Croton Aviator Sea Diver Chronograph (Ref. 105/903006), 1970s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Introduced during the golden age of purpose-built sports watches, the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver was conceived as a true all-purpose instrument, combining the capabilities of a diving watch, aviation timer, racing chronograph, and yachting regatta timer within a single, highly distinctive design. Produced by Nivada Grenchen and marketed in the United States under the Croton name, the model emerged at a time when exploration and adventure strongly influenced both popular culture and watchmaking. Its rotating elapsed-time bezel, tachymeter scale, highly legible luminous display, and red regatta countdown indicator reflect an era when every visual element was designed to serve a practical purpose. This 1970s ref. 106/903006 utilizes a Landeron cal. 248 chronograph movement nestled in a large-for-its-era 38mm stainless steel case with long and angled lugs. The case is outfitted with an aluminum minute/hour bi-directional bezel and a simple, no-nonsense dial with a flash of red in the rightmost sub-dial that offers a 5-minute countdown interval. It checks all the boxes for anyone looking for a classic sports watch from the golden era. SPECS Stock # CPCAUTDV-3 Brand Croton Style Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver Chronograph Model 105/903006 Serial 99XX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Glossy Black Millimeters 38 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The excellent retains full chamfers down the lugs, with honest signs of use and light evidence of prior polishing present. The black hours/minutes bezel is still dark black with very light signs of use. The unsigned crown and top pusher remain original, with the crown showing a small mark near the center. The caseback retains all of its original factory engravings, though they've faded over the years of wear. The watch comes supplied on a two-piece handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The glossy black dial is in wonderful original condition, with a subtle spotted textured patina throughout, and the white text is highly visible and easy to read. The tritium lume plots have taken on an excellent creamy patina and show no degradation under UV light inspection. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly, and exhibit only superficial surface cracking when inspected under UV light, and remain stable. ACCESSORIES