Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm
The Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41MM is an interesting, or maybe more specifically intriguing watch, but not for the reasons you may be thinking. Yes, unlike the original re-issue I reviewed 3 years ago, which was 37mm, this new one is 41mm, and there is a 38mm model as well. And the case shape has changed as well, with curved lugs and drilled lug holes. But size is a big deal these days, maybe more so than ever. And I am not sure why. Many watch enthusiasts scream from their rooftops (or, in reality, their couches while on their phones) how a watch a brand just released is too big, and that brands need to wake up!! Well, maybe Nivada Grenchen is asleep, or maybe, just maybe, they have figured out that those who are the loudest are not speaking for everyone.
Specifications
41MM Stainless Steel Case 50mm Lug to Lug 24mm Lug Width Bracelet Tapers to 18mm 12.5mm Thick 145 Grams Screw-Down Crown Domed Sapphire Crystal 100m Water Resistant Soprod P024 Automatic Movement Integrated Bracelet Price $1,460 https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/collections/f77-mk2/products/f77-black-41mm
Contents
- Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm
- Specifications
- Now let me state, I do not care what size watch you wear, nor do I think you should care what size watch I wear either. I think it is fantastic that brands are doing so many sizes these days, and yes, there are a lot of smaller watches on the market now, and for those that like those sizes, it’s wonderful.
- But what I do see happening now is when a brand does release a 40mm or larger watch, those who like smaller watches love to complain and say it’s too big; you need to pay attention to who’s buying; your brand will die. (These are actual comments I have seen). While it gives me a chuckle, I am not sure why we waste so much time as watch enthusiasts that a watch is not to their size. I mean, find another brand. There is sure to be a brand making your preferred size these days. Find that one, and buy it.
- Nivada decided to revamp their F77 collection last year, and when they did, the revived brand debuted two new sizes, 38 and 41mm. What is interesting, the original 1977 integrated bracelet model this watch is modeled after was actually 38mm, not 37mm like the original re-issue. So now, with the Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2, this is corrected. So you can buy it in its original size, and if you are someone who does prefer a bigger watch (the horror!), you can now get it in 41mm.
- The Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm (and the 38mm) is an integrated sports watch design, with a bezel very similar to the APRO, and yes, there was some copying going on back in the 70s, not that uncommon for that time. Like the original reissue, the standard or default dials are carbon-look weave, and come in black as shown here, or blue. They are available with either date or no-date dials, and for the most part, this dial is pretty much exactly the same as the 37mm, with a clean and easy-to-read dial, thin applied indices, an applied Nivada logo shiield, and now has vintage lume paint used; it’s a yellow paint, and while I think it looks ok, I would have preferred white or even slightly green, such as a C1 OR C3 color.
- There are quite a few other similarities with the 37mm as well, and thus, the Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm, for the most part, is just a bigger example of the 37mm. The dial, as I show above, is the same brushed bezel with flat head screws, and it retains the 100m water resistance and screw-down crown, which is always nice to see.
- So are there any other changes? There sure are. The case itself, beyond just being wider and longer, also has a different shape. It evokes the lines of the original and has the same polish and brushed areas as before, but the original and the original reissue had a much straighter, blocky case design, and now it has been modernized, if you will, with prominent curved lugs, as well as drilled lugs for easy bracelet removal. Not only do the curved lugs add more dimension to the case, but it allows the 50mm lug-to-lug length to fit and look better on your wrist than the straight lugs would have.
- Pretty much everything else has stayed the same. The case back has no changes as far as I can see; a nice stamped solid case back, and underneath that case back beats the Soprod P024 movement, the same as the original reissue. I have never really encountered an issue with these movements, but I will say, a 38-hour power reserve is pretty low these days.
- Of coruse the Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm still has an integrated bracelet; I mean, thats one of the things this watch is all about, and that same end link desgin is still present, and I am glad it is, as whether you call it a cut-out design, a U link, or whatever else you can think of, it does make this F77 stand out.
- The bracelet width at the lugs is 24 but tapers to 18mm, and the links are thin but solid, use one-piece screws, and the clasp is dual-finished and very beautiful, but it is still a pin-hole clasp, and not a modern tool-less adjustable clasp, and that is a disappointment for me.
- And well, the biggest change for me at least is how it wears on my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist. I made no bones about it; at 37mm, I felt the original reissue was too small for me. Now at 41mm, it looks fantastic, and despite being much larger than the original, it does not feel massive to me at all; it is still a very thin watch, and it really hugs the wrist nicely. It is not a very heavy watch either, and I find it to be extremely comfortable on my wrist.
- As we all know, some folks are not happy, no matter what. I, of course, think it’s fantastic that they produced the Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm, and if you find 41mm to be much too large, well, there’s a 38mm. And looking at their site as I write this article, there are a few of the 37mm left as well. Nivada has really expanded the range of dial colors as well, especially on the 38mm models, with many stone dials, and both the 38 and 41mm have meteorite dial options as well.
- There’s also a very affordable 38mm Mecaquartz, and you can get a gold-tone 38mm. Oh, those 38mm models also have rubber and canvas strap options too (none for the 41mm yet), so they have never had more options. The design may not be for everyone, but I do think they have the bases covered on sizes. Now they just need to upgrade those clasps.
- https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com
Now let me state, I do not care what size watch you wear, nor do I think you should care what size watch I wear either. I think it is fantastic that brands are doing so many sizes these days, and yes, there are a lot of smaller watches on the market now, and for those that like those sizes, it’s wonderful.
But what I do see happening now is when a brand does release a 40mm or larger watch, those who like smaller watches love to complain and say it’s too big; you need to pay attention to who’s buying; your brand will die. (These are actual comments I have seen). While it gives me a chuckle, I am not sure why we waste so much time as watch enthusiasts that a watch is not to their size. I mean, find another brand. There is sure to be a brand making your preferred size these days. Find that one, and buy it.
Nivada decided to revamp their F77 collection last year, and when they did, the revived brand debuted two new sizes, 38 and 41mm. What is interesting, the original 1977 integrated bracelet model this watch is modeled after was actually 38mm, not 37mm like the original re-issue. So now, with the Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2, this is corrected. So you can buy it in its original size, and if you are someone who does prefer a bigger watch (the horror!), you can now get it in 41mm.
The Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm (and the 38mm) is an integrated sports watch design, with a bezel very similar to the APRO, and yes, there was some copying going on back in the 70s, not that uncommon for that time. Like the original reissue, the standard or default dials are carbon-look weave, and come in black as shown here, or blue. They are available with either date or no-date dials, and for the most part, this dial is pretty much exactly the same as the 37mm, with a clean and easy-to-read dial, thin applied indices, an applied Nivada logo shiield, and now has vintage lume paint used; it’s a yellow paint, and while I think it looks ok, I would have preferred white or even slightly green, such as a C1 OR C3 color.
There are quite a few other similarities with the 37mm as well, and thus, the Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm, for the most part, is just a bigger example of the 37mm. The dial, as I show above, is the same brushed bezel with flat head screws, and it retains the 100m water resistance and screw-down crown, which is always nice to see.
So are there any other changes? There sure are. The case itself, beyond just being wider and longer, also has a different shape. It evokes the lines of the original and has the same polish and brushed areas as before, but the original and the original reissue had a much straighter, blocky case design, and now it has been modernized, if you will, with prominent curved lugs, as well as drilled lugs for easy bracelet removal. Not only do the curved lugs add more dimension to the case, but it allows the 50mm lug-to-lug length to fit and look better on your wrist than the straight lugs would have.
Pretty much everything else has stayed the same. The case back has no changes as far as I can see; a nice stamped solid case back, and underneath that case back beats the Soprod P024 movement, the same as the original reissue. I have never really encountered an issue with these movements, but I will say, a 38-hour power reserve is pretty low these days.
Of coruse the Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm still has an integrated bracelet; I mean, thats one of the things this watch is all about, and that same end link desgin is still present, and I am glad it is, as whether you call it a cut-out design, a U link, or whatever else you can think of, it does make this F77 stand out.
The bracelet width at the lugs is 24 but tapers to 18mm, and the links are thin but solid, use one-piece screws, and the clasp is dual-finished and very beautiful, but it is still a pin-hole clasp, and not a modern tool-less adjustable clasp, and that is a disappointment for me.
And well, the biggest change for me at least is how it wears on my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist. I made no bones about it; at 37mm, I felt the original reissue was too small for me. Now at 41mm, it looks fantastic, and despite being much larger than the original, it does not feel massive to me at all; it is still a very thin watch, and it really hugs the wrist nicely. It is not a very heavy watch either, and I find it to be extremely comfortable on my wrist.
As we all know, some folks are not happy, no matter what. I, of course, think it’s fantastic that they produced the Nivada Grenchen F77 MK2 41mm, and if you find 41mm to be much too large, well, there’s a 38mm. And looking at their site as I write this article, there are a few of the 37mm left as well. Nivada has really expanded the range of dial colors as well, especially on the 38mm models, with many stone dials, and both the 38 and 41mm have meteorite dial options as well.
There’s also a very affordable 38mm Mecaquartz, and you can get a gold-tone 38mm. Oh, those 38mm models also have rubber and canvas strap options too (none for the 41mm yet), so they have never had more options. The design may not be for everyone, but I do think they have the bases covered on sizes. Now they just need to upgrade those clasps.
https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com
