Hands-On With The Nivada Grenchen F77

It took us a while to get our hands on the not-so-new Nivada F77. I made the request a while ago, but the watch sold out so fast that it took the brand a while to find a prototype to send me. But all’s well that ends well, as the saying goes, for a few weeks ago, an F77 with a blue dial and no date landed on my office table.

After having seen both black and blue versions in Geneva earlier this year, the reason I went with the blue dial was simple: the blue one stands out way more than the black one. And it has nothing to do with last year’s craze for watches with integrated bracelets and blue dials.

Blue or black?

I love a beautiful dark blue dial. If you have read my story about my Grand Seiko, you know this already. I saw the initial designs of the F77 on Nivada’s IG a year or so ago, and honestly, I was not too moved by them. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the watch, but I felt it was nothing special. And to be fair, it is not that special at all, but that’s the reason why it’s exciting. It’s a watch that bears the features of other timepieces like the Tissot PRX or the current IWC Ingenieur, but it still has a different vibe. You must see it in real life to understand it. That’s why I completely changed my mind when I held this watch in my hand for the first time in Geneva. Nivada had all four models available to show, and I knew I needed to get the no-date version. From there, the choice was easy — blue for me.

Nivada Grenchen F77

Like most Nivada Grenchen models, the F77 is also a re-edition of a vintage watch. Usually, the brand stays true to each watch’s predecessor and keeps the look and proportions as close to the original as possible. I am trying to remember if I have ever seen a re-edition other than the F77 that was smaller than the original model. Yes, for the new F77, Nivada shrunk the case size from 38mm to a hair over 37. This is not visible when on the wrist, but when you have the latest and the vintage versions side by side, you see it. For an automatic watch, the 12.65mm thickness is pretty good too. While the span from lug tip to lug tip is 45mm, the watch wears more considerably due to the integrated bracelet. I have a 19cm (7.5″) wrist, and as the photos show, the F77 sits on my wrist as it should.

Basketweave

The true character lies in the details. In the case of the F77, we are talking about the “carbon effect” basketweave dial, the case shape, and lastly, the bezel. Let’s not debate whether the F77 is a Royal Oak copy. That’s an old and boring discussion. I clearly remember that when the PRX came out, haters were saying it was a direct copy of the Rolex Oysterquartz. To be accurate, the PRX is a copy of a vintage Tissot model. And whether that was inspired by the Oysterquartz or not, who cares? At the end of the day, the PRX is the best thing that ever happened to Tissot in the past 30-some-odd years. Yes, the F77 has a brushed bezel with visible screws. It also has an exciting case shape and a fantastic bracelet integration.

Let’s get back to the dial, though. The basketweave pattern is terrific. It gives a cool 3D look to the face, especially in bright sunlight. I love the simplicity, so my choice was for the no-date version. The vintage F77 was available as a day-date model, and the new F77 “only” comes with a date or no date. While the dial pattern already sets the tone for the watch face, the raised indexes support that visual depth. Thankfully, we don’t see a lot of text, just the basics with the brand name, model, and movement designation. The hands all feature Super-LumiNova, and there are also tiny dots of it behind the indexes. These are enough to see the time in the dark yet not overwhelmingly bright. Flip the watch over, and you see a simple full-steel case back with the usual information and the F77 logo sitting on top of the classic Nivada “N” crest.

The beating heart

Inside the new Nivada Grenchen F77 beats Soprod’s P024 movement. For those unfamiliar with it, that is a mechanical automatic caliber with a 28,800vph (4Hz) frequency and a 38-hour power reserve. The P024 is based on the famous ETA 2824-1. As such, it has 25 jewels and a hacking seconds function. Some other elements of the F77 include sapphire glass with AR coating, 100m water resistance, and a 316L steel case.

Final thoughts

I was excited to try on this beauty and see if I still liked it after a week. To that, I can answer a definitive “yes.” It’s a lovely piece and well worth the asking price. The retail price is US$1,150, which I feel is fair. Yes, the PRX, which I consider the closest competitor, is cheaper and has a broader model line. Nivada, however, is no Tissot with Swatch Group backing. In that light, comparing the PRX and the F77 is a bit like comparing apples and oranges. Both are great in their league for different reasons. Yet if we focus on the F77 alone, you get a lot of watch for the price. This is a timepiece with character and vintage charm that does exactly what you expect of it. The F77 has great looks backed by a solid automatic movement and excellent build quality.

At the time of publishing, the F77 is sold out, but the next batch is coming in September 2023. Check it out on the official Nivada Grenchen website and tell us what you think in the comments.