Super Antarctic

Ships 6 weeks after purchase.

Nivada Grenchen was a household name in the mid-century as it manufactured watches of all kinds from the 1920s through the 1970s, and the model that placed them on the map was the Antarctic. Waterproof, durable, and elegant, the Antarctic was chosen as standard issue for the US Navy’s 1955 and 1956 South Pole expeditions, Operation Deep Freeze. This modern reissue of the Antarctic, called Super Antarctic, retains the original’s modest size and robust specifications.

The Super Antarctic’s stainless steel case measures 38mm across, 45mm lug to lug, and 12mm thick, with finishing being a mixture of both brushed and polished. The Dial colors range from a matte black, tobacco brown or white and are decorated with applied stick and triangle hour markers. On some options, you will even find a 3-6-9 version.

While the hour hand is lollipop-styled, it is contrasted with a sword minute hand. There is a chapter ring around the edge of the dial. As for straps, options vary  from leather and rubber, to bracelets as well as. And finally, a screw-down crown ensures 10 ATM of water resistance.

Inside the Super Antarctic is the self-winding SOPROD P024, which is based on the ETA-2824. It has 25 jewels, as marked on the dial, beats at 4Hz (28,800 vph), and offers hacking seconds. It can also be hand-wound. The screw-in caseback is decorated with a gold medallion depicting an aircraft during Operation Deep Freeze I.