Introducing the Chronomaster Valjoux 72 and Datomaster VK64 by Nivada Grenchen x Worn & Wound

As the end of the year draws closer, novelties on the market become increasingly scarce but there are exceptions and some very interesting ones and it is one of them that we are going to talk about, it is the latest collaboration between Nivada Grenchen and Worn & Wound, which translates into the release of three chronographs that come with vintage inspiration.

And starting with the cherry on top of the cake that promises to leave many enthusiasts with their heads spinning, we have the Chronomaster Valjoux 72, which appears in a limited edition of 20 pieces, a chronograph with the legendary mechanical movement with three registers, and then we have two Datomaster VK64 limited in production to units ordered by December 10th, both equipped with a quartz movement with two registers.

Chronomaster Valjoux 72

As we have already mentioned by way of presentation, its historic Caliber Valjoux 72 is its main presentation card, produced over three more decades and equipping the chronographs of the most renowned Swiss watch brands, it is still today one of the most beloved movements in the horology community.

But many will be asking, having the production of these mechanical movements ceased in 1974 how can they equip the new Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster? Well, one of the beauties of this collaboration is there, as the Swiss watchmaker not only offered to find 20 of these Calibers but also restored them in order to be able to mount them on the new Chronomaster Valjoux 72.

Based on a stainless steel case measuring 38mm (39mm if we include the bezel) in diameter and 14mm thick, with alternating brushed and polished finishes, crown at 3 o’clock and two pump-pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock, unidirectional black cherry bezel with a white minute and hour scales, sapphire crystal front and case back and 100m water resistance.

The dial comes on a greyish blue background called fog gray, featuring a black outer ring with racing-style chrono-seconds indexes in beige like happens with the three registers, applied hour indexes and hour and minute hands matching the bezel and filled with luminescent material and lastly, bright cyan blue chronograph hands.

Inside, it remains to be added that the movement of this column-wheel chronograph operates at 18,000 Vph and offers up to two days of power reserve.

This exclusive edition is offered with a steel “beads of rice” bracelet, and an extra brown rally-style strap in Shell Cordovan.

It is available from the 8th of December through this link for the price of USD 6,900 and at the present date, this timepiece is already sold out.

Datomaster VK64

These two editions stand out from the Chronomaster Valjoux 72 not only for their quartz movement but also for their two-register layout and to which they add a date window.

On the outside, the dimensions of its steel cases are also more modest, at 36mm in diameter by 12mm thick, featuring a smooth polished bezel instead of the unidirectional aluminium bezel.

It is in the colour palette that the two variants of the Datomaster are distinguished, the first accompanying the same colour scheme as the Chronomaster and whose date window comes with a black disc and is painted with Arabic numerals in cherry red. While the other variant of the Datomaster features an inverted colour scheme, consisting of a black dial with an outer ring and two registers in fog gray, hour and minute hands in yellow and a date window with a white disc with numerals painted in cherry red.

Inside, these two variants are equipped with the Seiko VK64 meca-quartz movement, which, in addition to offering high accuracy, offers a feeling similar to a mechanical movement.

Both chronographs are offered with a brown rally-style leather strap similar to the Chronomaster and can be purchased via the link for USD 450 through the above date.

Our Opinion

It is good to see, even if it is through occasional collaborations, the return of chronographs inspired by the past, of which we cannot fail to highlight their more moderate dimensions (by the way, the 36mm Datomaster which may seem too small too many, to us it sounds perfect) and the revival of historic movements, which in this collaboration involved the restoration of 20 of these movements and which for us is brilliant.

There’s nothing else to say other than that we really enjoyed it and that more collaborations like these are very welcome.