Saw this at the flea market today... a bit out of my area of expertise but it spoke to me, so I bought it.

Any info about it would be appreciated.

Hi Bryan,

Very nice chronograph. Fun to take a risk outside our comfort zone, eh?

I'm confident in saying that Croton made the Nivada Grenchen. Many of the Nivada Grenchen (not chronograph) watches I've seen have had a valjoux movt.

Have you checked the movement? Page 629 in the 2005 Cooksey Shugart guide gives a quick rundown on chronographs.

Interestingly, there was also a lawsuit back in the '50's about the Croton company using just the word Nivada. It is my understanding that Movado initiated a lawsuit and prevented Croton from importing those marked as Nivada only. Movado contended that there would be confusion in the marketplace (Movado/Nivada). I believe that Croton was able to eventually import as Nivada Grenchen. There are Nivada signed dials (p. 969 in the shugart guide) but all that I have seen have had the combined words Nivada Grenchen on the dials. I've not seen a plain Nivada.

Hope this has been somewhat helpful. Good luck!

Barbara

Thanks Barbara.

This one has a Valjoux 72 movement.

This is a massive watch, measures 47mm long and 43mm wide... which makes it a little too large for my wrist. I'm going backpacking this summer, perhaps I can strap it to my ankles to build up my leg muscles in the meantime.