Photography (bar photos 5,9,10) by the excellent Steve Hughes give him a follow on Instagram @stevehughesphotography this guy is talented!
Super Rare Vintage Nivada Automatic Depthmaster Monnin Cased Divers Watch
Obscure find, I can only find one other example of this Watch, which is part of the Nivada Taravana range, research shows that they done a Electronic (which is the other example known) and a Automatic version, which this one is.
Very interesting piece from a great factory.
Dating this Watch
c. 1975-1980
Case Ref
Monnin M.R.P SA 503305
Movement
Quality Nivada Signed Swiss made ETA 2872 automatic movement with date.
Setting The Watch
Unscrew the Divers Crown and it will gently pop out into position one, you can manually wind the Watch in this position. Pull the crown gently out and you will be in position two, quickset date, forward the crown to set your desired date. Pull it further out and you will in Position 3, this is the position you set the Time in.
Unscrew the Divers Crown and it will gently pop out into position one, you can manually wind the Watch in this position. Pull the crown gently out and you will be in position two, quickset date, forward the crown to set your desired date. Pull it further out and you will in Position 3, this is the position you set the Time in.
Please ensure you push the crown back in and gently screw it back to the case when finished.
Timekeeping
*FULLY Professionally Serviced by us at GungaDin Watches*
The Movement is wonderful and Clean whilst ticking away strongly and keeping Excellent time having been FULLY PROFESSIONALLY serviced by our fantastic in-house Watchmaker. You will receive a copy of the Service receipt please keep this for your records/warranty.
Covered by our 3 month limited Warranty, which is free with all purchases that have been serviced by us.
Dial
Very cool Vintage Divers Tritium Dial.
N
NIVADA
AUTOMATIC
DEPTHMASTER
20 ATM
Swiss Made
The Dial is in fantastic condition with no real marks at all. Super example.
Marked Swiss Made for the presence of Tritium, which still shines faintly when under a charge.
This is the original Untouched Vintage Dial.
THIS IS NOT A REDIAL!!!!
Case & Bezel
Top Quality Robust M.R.P. SA Monnin Swiss Made all Stainless Steel Case.
Case ref: 503.305
Asymmetrical shaped case with Crown at 4 o'clock.
The Case has some age related scratches but nothing to call home about.
Most importantly, the case seems to of never been polished.
Markings still legible to the case back.
Uni-Directional 60 Click Dodecagon Bezel moves nicely, the shallow bezel recesses have faded over the years accompanied by scratches throughout, it has given the bezel a beautiful "Ghost" feel.
All in all the case wears fantastically on the Wrist and is something different from your usual Diver fodder.
Case approx. measures in at:
Diameter: 39.1mm
Diameter with bezel: 41mm (roughly)
End of lug to lug: 40mm
Lug Spacing: weirdly 21.5mm
This Case was rated 20 atmos Waterproof back in the Day, it is now a Vintage Timepiece, it has NOT been tested for Water Resistance and if you wish to Submerge this Watch, you will need to have the Watch Professionally Resealed before doing so!!
Hands, Crystal and Crown
Original Mercedes Hands are in very good order, the Minute hand has been relumed with aged lume. Beautiful orange lollipop centre seconds hand.
A new crystal has been fitted as part of the Service.
When the Watch came to us, the Crown would not screw tightly to the case nor would it wind the Watch, so a new Screw Down crown and pendant tube has been fitted, which looks fantastic.
Strap
On a new 21mm Handmade Tan Italian Leather Rally Strap, with Cream stitching and Steel buckle that compliments the Watch very well indeed.
Comes with a free GungaDin Watch Box as pictured.