Antarctic
Model History
The Antarctic was born in the mid-1950s as an evolution of Nivada's Aquamatic line, with the aim of offering an automatic watch that was water resistant, shock resistant and antimagnetic, suited to demanding professional use. The first execution features applied Art Deco-style Arabic numerals, faceted indices with "V"-shaped luminous lume, a compact 35 mm case, and an automatic ETA 1256 caliber movement.
The moment that cemented the model's reputation came in 1955-56, when it accompanied the U.S. Navy's Operation Deep Freeze I in Antarctica, the expedition led by Admiral Richard Byrd for the construction of the first permanent American bases on the continent. It was only after this expedition that the word "ANTARCTIC" appeared on the dial, turning a descriptive name into a true commercial nickname. In the following decades Nivada offered several variants of the line, from II to VI, in diving, dress and explorer versions, with cases in both steel and gold.
With the brand's relaunch starting in 2020, the Antarctic was among the first historic models to be reissued: the new executions — including the Antarctic 35 and 38 mm, Super Antarctic and the Glacier, Eggshell and Spider variants — faithfully echo the compact proportions, Art Deco numerals and "V"-shaped hands of the original pieces, while updating the internal movements and crystal finishing.
Technical Specifications
Main Executions
On the original pieces' dial, the word "ANTARCTIC" was not present at launch: it was added only after participation in Operation Deep Freeze I, when the brand chose to commercially leverage the connection to the polar expedition that had made the watch famous.