Mens Original 1950s Croton AQUA-MATIC Nivada Grenchen Automatic Military Watch

Description

Founded in
1926
by Jacob Schneider as Wullimann, Schneider, Nivada, the
Nivada Watch Company of Grenchen, Switzerland
was a prominent force within the watch industry for most of the 20th century. They produced a number of models over the years, including the Aquamatic, Antarctic and Depthomatic. They introduced the CROTON line in 1940.
In my experience as a collector, Croton and Nivada Grenchen branded watches are of very high quality but still a
sleeper
brand when it comes to the general collecting public, much like Mido, Doxa or Eterna.  As such, you can find some very high quality, unique models for less than your comparable Longines, Eterna or Omega.
I am pleased to offer for sale the following men’s AQUA-MATIC military watch from the Croton firm, a patented model (Brevet +) from just after WWII (ca 1950 - 1952) in excellent ORIGINAL condition, only the calf leather strap is new. This is a “bumper” automatic model, and a duo-wind design. You wind it 8 to 10 turns before strapping on and letting your arm action take over.
Triple-signed, its chromium steel case measures
35mm lug tip to lug tip and 29mm in width
(31.5mm including original crown). This works out to be 1-3/8 inches in length by just over 1-1/8 inches wide, not including the crown. This is a ¾ size men’s watch (or ‘Boy’ size) by today’s standards but was a common gent’s size during WWII and the early 1950s.  My trusted watchmaker David has
fully serviced
its original 17 jewel, Croton Aqua-Matic self-winding mechanism to ensure it runs smoothly and keeps accurate time.
The 100% original silver, enamel finished dial is in truly great condition, untouched since it left the factory with just a light speckling of age – truly nice.  It features a 60 minute outer track border, radium finished Arabic numbers, radium filled original
blue steel
diamond shaped hands and sub-seconds dial with engine-turned background and ‘sweep’ seconds hand. Signed
CROTON AQUA-MATIC
below the 12 and “SWISS” at the base of the dial.
The original acrylic crystal is in excellent condition. The two-piece, Croton-signed case is in excellent condition – comprised of a chromium steel bezel and stainless steel back lid secured by four separate screws set into the lugs. The matching steel winding crown, original and unmarked, is stellar as well, operating smoothly.
Turning the watch over I see that the stainless steel back lid is excellent, no wear or engravings. It is signed
AQUAMATIC  - WATERPROOF – SHOCKPROOF – SELFWINDING
.
As this is a hermetic case I had my watchmaker take the photos inside. The mechanism is signed
Croton Watch Co., Inc, Swiss – Seventeen 17 Jewels, Compensating – Non-Magnetic – Aqua Matic, A38, 426 - COW
.
The inside case lid is stamped
BREV. + NO. 189,190 – CROTON WATCH CORP. INC., SWISS – BASE METAL, STAINLESS STEEL
. The word “Brevet” is French for patented.
This timepiece has been fully disassembled, cleaned, oiled and regulated to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time.  It comes complete with a
new 16mm brown calf leather strap with matching steel buckle
.
Watch sizes: I provide exact case measurements in millimeters (the watch industry standard) and inches, and include a U.S. quarter in one photo as a size reference. Draw the measurements on a piece of paper to help visualize the watch on your wrist. Remember, men’s vintage watches are noticeably smaller than oversized timepieces you see today. Prefer a brown strap instead of black? For most men’s watches I can switch the color before mailing; just let me know.
U.S. winners pay .75 for fully insured, safely boxed USPS shipping with door-to-door tracking. Washington State residents are required to pay sales tax. Residents of states where eBay collects sales tax are also required to pay this.
Canadian winners pay .00 (actual cost) for Global Priority Express with insurance. Other international buyers pay .00 (actual or below cost) for Global Priority Express Mail with door-to-door tracking. I cover any additional insurance fees and always pay MORE for shipping than what I charge.
International buyers: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are your responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to confirm any additional costs prior to bidding. I ship within 24 hours of receiving cleared payment, but your local custom authorities can cause delays.
Payment is due within three days of auction end, unless you have contacted me prior to auction end to arrange otherwise. In accordance with eBay policy, payments not received in four days will initiate an unpaid item case through the Resolution Center.
All of my watches are under warranty. In the rare event that a watch needs further service upon receipt, return the wristwatch to me (or mail it to my watchmaker, David, in New York City) at my expense. It will be corrected and quickly mailed back to you. Note: I will not pay for or offer a partial refund for work done by another watchmaker. I am a proud member of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (
NAWCC
).
If you like unique and collectible vintage or antique wristwatches, add me as one of your favorite sellers. I specialize in American and Swiss timepieces from the 1900s to 1970s. My selection changes weekly, and is comprised of manual wind and automatic watches from the following categories: WWI trench; WWII; military; fancy case, art nouveau; art deco; mid-century modern; stainless steel; sterling silver; white, yellow and rose gold; solid gold; platinum; and diamond, ruby and/or sapphire ladies cocktail watches.
Need accessories for your watch? Our sister store,
Holben's Fine Watch Bands
, offers an extensive selection of sport, military and dress straps, buckles, deployment clasps and other wristwatch accessories from European and American manufacturers.