#TBT Why The “Orange Boy” Is The Best Vintage Nivada CASD You Can Get

Would you believe me if I told you we have never featured a dedicated article about a vintage Nivada Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver article on Fratello? I had to check twice, but it’s true. Let’s fix this with a scarce version of the Nivada CASD. This one is one is ref. 85004/4076, aka the “Orange Boy.”

The Nivada Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver is one of the very few chronographs that got tens of different executions and dial/hand configurations. Created in 1961, the watch stayed in catalogs through the ’70s. The CASD reached iconic status (among watch lovers, at least), and it’s a stable pillar in many chronograph collections. It can be found under different brand names, signed with different logos, and powered by different calibers. The Landeron 248-powered versions are the least interesting CASDs for me. There were also models with the Venus 210, Valjoux 92, and, the most valued movement of the bunch, the Valjoux 23.

Chronomaster Only

The Nivada CASD is not as popular as the Omega Speedmaster. However, just as the Speedy got the Moonwatch Only book, the CASD got a dedicated book called Chronomaster Only. If you are familiar with the Moonwatch Only book’s concept, you’ll know what to expect. Besides the intro with many old photos, I enjoy the introductions of the individual models the most. If your coffee table is strong enough to hold another watch book, I highly recommend it.

The Broad Arrow versus the Orange Boy

I was on the lookout for a Nivada CASD for years, and I ended up owning two of them — a version with Broad Arrow steel hands and a later model with white baton hands. Despite the fact both house the Valjoux 23, I am clear on which one is my favorite. The Broad Arrow was the first one I bought, and I had the same problem with it as I had with early Speedmasters. Unfortunately, no matter how broad the arrow is, the legibility of the hands is a problem. Maybe that’s why both Omega and Nivada ended up switching to straight contrasting white hands.

So I suppose it won’t surprise you when I say that since the Orange Boy landed, my CASD Broad Arrow has not gotten much wrist time. Sure, the latter is classier and slightly more elegant. Aside from the red highlight, its black tone-on-tone sub-dials do not scream but blend in with the dial. On the Orange Boy, the sub-dials have a contrasting gray background, which makes them the target of focus. Counting in the narrow hands and orange details, the Nivada CASD Orange Boy has a much sportier look.

Where did I find it?

I live next door to Austria, but honestly, out of the hundreds of watches I’ve bought, just a few came from there. I used to check the local Austrian micro-advertising portal regularly, often with no results, so I was jumping all over the roof when I spotted an Orange Boy there. It wasn’t because of price, which was the market standard, but because of its honest condition. From the crappy pictures in the listing, I could tell for sure that the seller was not a dealer. The watch belonged to his father-in-law, who received it for his confirmation. Scoring an original-owner watch is always a pleasant bonus.

After a trip to the spa

Upon arrival, it got full service. The lume material was so fragile that it dropped out the moment my watchmaker touched the minute hand. As you can see, he did a nice job of putting the same material back and then fixing it from behind. Since the service, the Orange Boy has been going strong. The Valjoux 23 movement is nice to operate, and the pushers offer firm and precise clicks.

Original Plexi

The 38mm case is nicely shaped and provides a nice wrist presence. But if there is one detail I like most about this watch, it’s the original Plexi crystal. I will not play the numbers game, but it’s not easy to find a CASD with the OG crystal on it. A head-on shot doesn’t do it justice, but look at the shot above, and you will see what I mean. My Broad Arrow didn’t come with one, but the Orange Boy’s original crystal that falls in line with the bezel and case lines is unbeatable. Happy hunting!