January 26 2026

Nivada Grenchen Autochron Panda: The Santurce Watch Club Limited Edition

MRSTATELESS NEW RELEASES, NIVADA GRENCHEN 2026, Chronograph, Limited Edition, Mecaquartz, Santurce Collection 0

Some watch designs spend decades in the shadows before finally getting their moment. The Autochron is one of them. Born from a little-known Nivada Grenchen chronograph prototype of the 1970s, the design never made it into serial production, yet it carried a detail that would later become legendary among collectors: a dial manufactured by Singer, the same supplier behind the coveted “exotic” dials used on Rolex’s Paul Newman Daytona.

That forgotten prototype would eventually resurface and become the foundation for the modern Autochron, a chronograph that blends archival design codes with contemporary manufacturing. The latest chapter in that story arrives in the form of the Autochron Panda Santurce Collection, a limited-edition collaboration with Santurce Watch Club, a Puerto Rico–based community of collectors with a deep appreciation for Nivada Grenchen’s history.

A Singer Dial With Serious Pedigree

One of the most important elements of the Autochron Panda Santurce is its Singer-produced dial. Singer was one of the most respected dial manufacturers of the 1960s and 1970s and is best known for creating the so-called “exotic” dials found on the Rolex Daytona references later nicknamed the Paul Newman. Those dials, distinguished by their contrasting subdials, squared markers, and distinctive typography, are among the most sought-after vintage watch components in the collector world.

The Autochron draws from this same design language without attempting to replicate the Daytona outright. The panda configuration pairs a light-colored main dial with black subdials, creating strong contrast and excellent legibility. The main dial features a slightly grainy, textured surface, while the subdials are smoother, giving the display visual depth. A printed tachymeter scale runs along the outer edge of the dial, reinforcing the watch’s motorsport-inspired character.

Applied hour markers and the hour and minute hands are filled with green-glowing Super-LumiNova, as is the luminous pip at 12 o’clock. The central chronograph seconds hand is finished in a bright orange tone, evoking vintage automotive gauges, while the glossy black hour and minute hands are exclusive to this Santurce edition.

Case Design and Proportions

The Autochron Panda Santurce is housed in a 38 mm stainless steel case that balances vintage proportions with modern wearability. While the dial itself is round, the case has a subtle tonneau-like profile, with softened edges that allow it to sit comfortably on the wrist. The chronograph pushers are classic pump-style, paired with a signed crown.

A notable feature is the friction-fit rotating bezel, fitted with a 60-minute scale. This adds an extra layer of functionality and sets the Autochron apart from many traditional racing chronographs that rely solely on fixed tachymeter bezels. The dial is protected by a double-domed sapphire crystal, enhancing the retro look while providing modern durability.

Meca-Quartz Chronograph Movement

Powering the watch is the Seiko VK67 meca-quartz chronograph movement. This hybrid caliber combines quartz-regulated timekeeping with a mechanically actuated chronograph module, delivering a tactile pusher feel and instantaneous reset similar to a mechanical chronograph. The movement also enables the tri-compax layout, bringing the Autochron’s configuration closer to the original prototype and other vintage chronographs of the era.

Bracelet and Caseback Details

The watch is paired with a stainless steel three-row bracelet inspired by 1970s designs. The bracelet tapers from 20mm at the lugs down to 16mm at the clasp, improving comfort and flexibility on the wrist. It is secured by a folding clasp with an integrated tool-free micro-adjustment system for fine sizing.

Turning the watch over reveals a solid caseback engraved with the Santurce Watch Club logo and slogan, marking the collaboration and distinguishing it from standard Autochron references.

Limited Production, Pricing, and Availability

The Autochron Panda Santurce Collection is limited to just 100 pieces, with sixty examples allocated directly to Santurce Watch Club and the remaining forty offered through Nivada Grenchen’s official online store. The watch was priced at USD 795, a notably accessible entry point for a limited-edition chronograph featuring a Singer-produced dial and a meca-quartz movement.

Nivada Grenchen’s allocation sold out shortly after launch, and the model is not currently available through Santurce Watch Club’s web shop, leaving the grey market as the only option for collectors looking to secure one.