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Nivada Aquamar (Ref. 4517) Matte Blue Dial, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Nivada Aquamar (Ref. 4517) Matte Blue Dial, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Nivada Grenchen (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 36 mm
Stock no.
NVDAAQU4517
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (NVDAAQU4517)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s Nivada Aquamar (Ref. 4517) Matte Blue Dial (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number NVDAAQU4517), this is a wristwatch by Nivada Grenchen, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Nivada Grenchen's roots go all the way back to the watchmaking workshop the Nivada family opened in 1879. But the watch brand itself was officially founded in 1926 in Grenchen, Switzerland – and was actually one of the first watch brands to manufacture automatic watches. Nivada is also responsible for a handful of wristwatch innovations, including creating waterproof and “rustless” watches that would stand up to the rigors of the outdoor adventures for which they were created. Aquamars, like this one, were certainly created for such adventures. This attractive skindiver-style model features blasts of color that make it look like it's just itching to get into the water. Its slim, 36mm case makes the watch supremely comfortable on the wrist, and the color and design of the dial makes it highly legible and, frankly, a whole lot of fun. SPECS Stock # NVDAAQU4517 Brand Nivada Style Aquamar Model 4517 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Chrome Plated Brass W/ Stainless Steel Back Dial Matte Blue W/ Orange Accents Millimeters 36.5 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The slim 36.5mm cushion case is believed to be unpolished, showing normal signs of wear for a watch its age, and crisp angles and finishing throughout. The rotating bezel is in very good condition, showing minor signs of wear on the outer edges, as would be expected of a dive watch. It features its original Nivada-signed crown. The case back shows wear but all factory engravings are deep and highly legible. The watch comes supplied on a two-piece leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The matte blue dial is in fantastic condition with little to no visible marks or discoloration. The hour markers are a mix of reflective orange paint and lume, the latter of which has aged to a cream color. The white handset is in fantastic condition with the inlaid lume that matches the dial, and a neon orange second hand that pops especially well off the dial. ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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