The Chronomaster was introduced in 1961 destined for the U.S. Movado tirelessly fought another similar battle in 1953 against Nivada/Croton, preventing them from importing watch parts from Switzerland into the U.S., but the case was finally thrown out for good based on precedence from 1939. only if they attached a second name – “Grenchen” – after its name to differentiate between Movado. The judge ruled in favor of Nivada and stipulated that Nivada may proceed with its business in the U.S. In order to prevent Nivada from engaging in business with Croton, Movado claimed that Nivada’s company name sounded too similar to theirs and that it would hurt their business.

Nivada was in a legal battle with Movado, which already had a presence in the U.S. Croton’s connection with Nivada started in 1939, but with a rather rocky start. As many collectors may notice, an identical Chronomaster model was produced by Nivada, a Swiss watch company. Coincidently, in 1963 it moved its company to Croton-on-Hudson, a beautiful suburb in Westchester County, right outside of New York City. The Full StoryĬroton Watch Company’s origin goes way back to 1878, when it was started by Jacob Horton in New York. A rare variant with a Valjoux 23 movement and a distinct dial configuration, this example is also accompanied by its original guarantee stamped in 1967 and instruction brochure.

It comes on a dark green alligator strap.Why This Watch Matters As the model name suggests, this nifty Croton Chronomaster could cover the sky, land, and sea. The case looks great, with a slightly bent lug, but overall very few usage marks and no scratch. The very rare brown bezel is looking great. This chronograph is going hotter and hotter, especially since the publication of the excellent book “Chronomaster Only” by Grégoire Rossier and Anthony Marquié.įeaturing a beautiful and particularly well designed black dial with dashes of red, broad arrow hands, black bezel, round pushers, this is a very desirable and typical 60s chronograph.

Indeed, it is the only watch to be, at the same time, a chronograph, a diver, a GMT, a pilot’s watch and a regatta watch.

Some speak of it as the quintessence of the 60’s Swiss chronograph.

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