1 Watch Becomes 5 with the Interchangeable Bezels for the Nivada Chronomaster

The easiest and cheapest way to customize your watch is, without a doubt, by swapping the original (often boring) strap for a more personal aftermarket one – like we have in the MONOCHROME Shop. In a more complex and far more expensive way, vintage Rolex Sub and GMT collectors have long played the game of bezel insert swap, changing a Pepsi GMT into a Coke – but these parts are not easy to source, nor accessible. Here comes Guillaume Laidet, a clever young man behind the return of Nivada Grenchen. And his latest idea brings this to the table, in a fun, accessible and stress-free way… It was about time that interchangeable bezels would become a thing.  

The idea behind this bezel-swap game isn’t new. In fact, Laidet discovered this concept while searching for vintage Nivada watches in a famous marketplace. There, he found a vintage ladies’ watch that was offered with different bezels and straps, to add a different personality to the watch, and with a simple click system to put the bezel into place. This watch, the COLORAMA VI from the early 1960s, was a totally different object than what we’ll be looking at today – more of a fashion accessory for elegant women of that time – but the overall idea, which is now applied on a trio of chronographs from the brand, is basically the same. This interchangeable bezel system is now offered on the Chronoking (a mecaquartz watch that won’t be covered here), the Chronomaster Broad Arrow (the all-time classic Aviator Sea Diver watch of the brand) and the Chronomaster Singer Paul Newman (no need to explain what to expect here…)

What’s the idea… Simple, cool, fun and easier than ever. We’re talking about a bi-directional bezel system with tool-free, and snap-on bezel kits that just need to be popped out with your fingers, and replaced by a new bezel – a full bezel, not just the insert – by snapping on this new element. In all fairness, I personally tried an early example a few months ago and it is simply brilliant. It’s ultra-easy to remove the bezel – but with enough resistance so the bezel won’t become loose and pop out of its location by accident – and just adapt a new one with a firm, pleasantly tactile and audible click that confirms that the new element is in place. And that’s it… as easy as that! So easy and stress-free that it seems bizarre that no other brands have this in their collection. 

While the Chronoking offers no fewer than 10 different bezel options – 5 plexiglass colours with GMT indications, and 5 steel colours with tachymeter scale – the options for the Chronomaster Broad Arrow and Chronomaster Singer Paul Newman are slightly more limited but no less cool. These watches are offered with 5 different bezels, with 4 classic aluminium inserts with a fully graduated 60-minute scale in black, blue, green and red. Additionally, a fifth option is included, with a two-tone black and red insert that adds a city ring to the 60-minute scale, to track various time-zones. And, as you can expect from the ultra-productive man behind Nivada, there will be more options to be offered in the future.

Let’s now talk about the watches themselves, even though we’re on familiar ground here – you can get all the details about the Chronomaster Broad Arrow or Aviator Sea Diver watch in this in-depth article. Both Chronomaster watches share the same overall specifications, with an identical case made of stainless steel and measuring 38mm in diameter, for a thickness of 13.75mm. The brushed and polished case is equipped with a double-domed sapphire crystal, an optional sapphire caseback (standard is a closed back) and a comfortable water-resistance of 100 meters. Of course, the bezel is bi-directional, as explained above. 

What differentiates the Chronomaster Broad Arrow from the Chronomaster Singer Paul Newman is the dial. The first one, also known as CASD, comes with the classic matte black dial of the inaugural 1960s models, framed by a tachymeter scale, and featuring the emblematic arrow-shaped hour hand – filled with eggshell Super-LumiNova, and matching lumed hour indexes. It’s a classic utilitarian look that will now be able to be spiced up by the additional colourful bezel inserts. 

The second variant, the Chronomaster Singer Paul Newman, marks the first time this specific layout is available in one of the brand’s accessible and non-limited watches. Its dial echoes those found on the rare and more expensive (about 5K euros) limited editions released in 2021 and powered by vintage Valjoux 23 movements. The highly contrasted panda dial (white background, black sub-dials) has a more distinctive look, with a black tachy-scale, black outlined hands and applied markers and a red central seconds hand. And, of course, as indicated in the name, you’ll get the striking markers in the sub-dials that were once offered by many brands as part of the so-called exotic dials. The same inserts are offered in both editions.

These interchangeable bezels are not the only new feature to be seen on these Nivada Chronomaster watches. Previously, like many of its competitors, the brand was relying on the hand-wound Sellita SW510, a movement based on the 7750 architecture. The new models return to a movement maker named Landeron, which used to supply the brand back in the 1960s and 1970s. Landeron, which disappeared as many threshold names during the quartz crisis, is back in action and now offers this Calibre 70. Don’t expect many changes regarding the architecture or specifications, as we’re still looking at a 7750-derived hand-wound movement. But it’s a nice touch to have the historical supplier back inside the case. The movement runs at a 4Hz frequency, stores 46 hours of power reserve and seems decently decorated for the price segment. 

As always with Nivada, the new Chronomaster watches with interchangeable bezels will be available on an array of straps and bracelets, ranging from tropic, to racing leather, flat-link or beads-of-rice steel options. Available now from the brand’s website, part of the permanent collection and ready to be delivered, both Chronomaster models are delivered with 5 bezels and priced start at EUR 1,770 or USD 1,975. (and a bit more if you choose an open back or a steel bracelet). For more details, please consult nivadagrenchenofficial.com.