The legendary “Pac-Man” diver back in the spotlight – in stealth mode!
In the world of watches, one constant is the quick emergence of distinctive nicknames for particular models. Sometimes, a watch’s color scheme provides an unmistakable clue, as seen with monikers like “Hulk” or “Batman.” However, few nicknames convey a watch’s style and essence as effectively as the affectionately bestowed title upon the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster, which is fondly known as the “Pac-Man.”
Established in 1926 in Grenchen, Switzerland, Nivada Grenchen garnered a formidable reputation by introducing pioneering watchmaking innovations that left an indelible mark on the 1950s and 60s. The brand became iconic for its legendary Antarctic and Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver collections. Today, just over half a century later, Nivada Grenchen is experiencing a full-scale revival, reinvigorating its heritage of engineering and design while remaining committed to the ethos of offering highly ethical prices, a hallmark of Nivada’s storied past.
Debuting in 1965, the Depthmaster made history as the very first dive watch capable of withstanding depths of 1,000 meters or 3,300 feet—an astounding achievement, especially within the context of mid-20th century horology. During that era, most sports watches designed for underwater use were typically rated to a modest 100 meters, and occasionally 200 meters. Few brands could match the innovative and groundbreaking spirit of Nivada Grenchen when it came to pushing the boundaries of performance under the harshest conditions.
What sets the Depthmaster apart is its distinctive appearance, which deviated from the prevailing design language of other dive watches of its time. Unlike their round cases and prominent circular luminous indexes on the dial, the Depthmaster featured a cushion case with a substantial 38mm diameter, a robust crown, a thick metal bezel adorned with a knurled edge (sans an insert), and robust lugs. This was a watch built for heavy-duty tasks.
The audacious “Deco” font used for the cardinal markers on the dial was impossible to overlook and represented a design departure from anything previously seen on a watch dial, especially one designated for sports use. As the watch’s reputation grew, discerning vintage watch collectors quickly noted the resemblance between the 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock markers to a beloved pop culture icon, leading to the Depthmaster affectionately earning the moniker “Pac-Man.”
The Depthmaster not only defied the limits of what a diving watch could achieve by setting a remarkable depth record but also blazed a trail of avant-garde aesthetics, defining a distinctive visual code for purpose-built tool watches that was truly groundbreaking in its era.
Nivada Grenchen x UNDONE
Up until now, the iconic Depthmaster “Pac-Man” was exclusively available in a brushed stainless steel version, fastened to the wrist with a robust rubber strap. However, just under two weeks ago, a sleek blacked-out variant of the Depthmaster was introduced, featuring a “beads of rice” metal bracelet.
Now, Nivada, in collaboration with the UNDONE team, is taking the “Pac-Man” concept to a whole new level, truly bringing the nickname to life and resonating with the savvy watch community. This unique timepiece seems to conjure images of the iconic video game, with ghosts darting about and glowing energy pills on its black, screen-like dial, textured to resemble the in-game experience. The dominant color theme for this creative partnership is appropriately dubbed “Pac-Man Yellow.” Remarkably, it maintains an impressive water resistance of up to 1,000 meters.
Nivada Grenchen has impeccably timed its response to the current desires of watch enthusiasts. They offer well-crafted timepieces deeply rooted in a rich and captivating history, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to ethical and affordable pricing. This new Depthmaster by Nivada Grenchen is the result of a collaborative effort, born from the exchange of ideas and styles between creative partners, leveraging each other’s design cues.
This watch epitomizes the fusion of creativity and commercial dynamism, characteristics emblematic of its CEO, Guillaume Laidet. “Working with UNDONE was a blast. We appreciate each other, we respect each other. Our minds naturally converged as we each brought our expertise and different creative takes to the table to create this fun watch. That’s always the aim: to put fun at the center of all our watchmaking endeavors,” he explains.
Nivada Grenchen has been actively engaging in collaborations with increasing frequency in recent weeks, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. The upcoming Depthmaster x UNDONE is set to hit the market just in time for Christmas, with a highly accessible price tag of CHF 950.
Nivada Grenchen, the tool watch brand
Nivada Grenchen is a brand that has remained relatively unnoticed for far too long, despite possessing an exceptionally rich, genuine, and captivating history. Founded by Jacob Schneider in 1926, Nivada Grenchen swiftly earned acclaim for crafting exquisite, cost-effective, and exceptionally dependable timepieces. These were, and still are, unmatched tool watches in their class.
The Nivada Depthmaster “Pac-Man” – an exceptional diving tool
watch
The Depthmaster stood out as one of the initial watches available for commercial purchase, boasting an extraordinary depth rating of 1,000 meters or 3,300 feet. This was an astounding feat, especially when one considers that most dive watches of that era typically offered a water resistance of merely 100 to 200 meters. Naturally, the burning question arises: How did Nivada manage to create a dive watch with a depth rating that exceeded that of any other timepiece by more than threefold during that period?
“That was one of the questions we asked ourselves when we decided to revive this model,” Guillaume Laidet smiles. “If you look at the original watches, you will see that there is no helium release valve. We added this valve when we revived the model in 2020 to increase the quality of the watch. But at the time, Nivada decided they could achieve that depth simply by building it like a tank.”
Certainly, the original Depthmaster achieved this remarkable rating through a combination of key factors:
- A reinforced and highly resistant waterproof winding crown.
- A specially designed inner protection mechanism.
- Additional threads on the case back for added security.
- A double-thick crystal for enhanced durability.
What further adds to the allure of the Depthmaster and firmly establishes its status as a vintage legend is its striking departure from the typical dive watches of its time. Unlike their round cases and circular luminous markers on the dial, the Depthmaster made its entrance with a distinctive 38mm cushion-shaped case, robust lugs, a thick metal bezel with a knurled edge and no inserts, and, in some variations, exceptionally luminous markers that were unlike anything previously seen. The use of a stylized “Deco” font for the cardinal markers at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock was so divergent from the norm that they were impossible to overlook, even in low-light conditions. This design choice gave the Depthmaster a distinctive visual identity that made it instantly recognizable.
For more information, please visit NivadaGrenchenofficial.com.
