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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Automatic wristwatch

Nivada Aquadatic Automatic Wristwatch

Partially verified

This vintage Nivada Aquadatic wristwatch, dated by the source to the 1960s, features a round stainless steel case measuring 34.8 mm across with faceted lugs. According to the seller, the timepiece is driven by a 21-jewel self-winding ETA caliber 2452 movement with a sweep seconds hand and a date display at 3 o'clock, with the case back bearing the Nivada Antartic logo. Its champagne dial presents applied silver-tone hour markers, lance-style hands, and a minute track, fitted with a black two-piece calfskin leather strap.

Front view of the Nivada Aquadatic automatic wristwatch with date window and black strap
Front view of the Nivada Aquadatic automatic wristwatch with date window and black strap — Second Hand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Wristwatch · Automatic wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Nivada
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-0651
Source-reported date
1960s
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Visual Characteristics

The watch features a champagne-toned dial exhibiting scattered speckling, patina, and light spotting across the surface. It is configured with applied silver-tone hour markers, including stylized elongated batons at 6, 9, and 12, complemented by lance-style hands and a perimeter minute track.

A framed rectangular date aperture is located at 3 o'clock, displaying the numeral 31. Dial inscriptions include 'Nivada / AQUADATIC' below the 12 o'clock marker, 'AUTOMATIC / 21 JEWELS' positioned above 6 o'clock, and 'SWISS MADE' along the bottom edge.

Evidence for this section
  • “Champagne-toned dial exhibiting scattered speckling, patina, and light spotting.”
  • “Framed rectangular date aperture positioned at 3 o'clock displaying the numeral 31.”
  • “Applied silver-tone hour markers with stylized elongated markers at 6, 9, and 12.”
  • “Dial signed 'Nivada / AQUADATIC' below 12 o'clock and 'AUTOMATIC / 21 JEWELS' above 6 o'clock, marked 'SWISS MADE' at the bottom edge.”

Case Design and Stated Dimensions

The round stainless steel case and bezel show visible light surface scratches and signs of wear. The seller describes the housing as having a 'fancy lug design' in all stainless-steel, fitted to a black new-old-stock 'Hand Finished Scandia Calf' two-piece strap.

Seller measurements list the case diameter at 34.8 mm, expanding to 36.8 mm with the crown. Stated vertical dimensions comprise a lug-to-lug span of 42.9 mm, a thickness of 10 mm, a lug width of 19 mm, and a strap band width of 18 mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Stainless steel case and bezel showing visible light surface scratches and signs of wear.”
  • “34.8mm round case and fancy lug design, all in stainless-steel”
  • “black Hand Finished Scandia Calf two-piece strap”
  • “Case 34.8”
  • “Case with Crown 36.8”
  • “Case Lug to Lug 42.9”
  • “Case Thickness 10”
  • “Lug Width 19”
  • “Band Width 18”

Reported Movement and Case Back Details

According to the seller listing, the watch is driven by a self-winding Swiss movement designated as caliber ETA 2452 with 21 jewels, a sweep second hand, an 18,000 A/h frequency, a 42-hour power reserve, and a date mechanism set by alternating between 21 and 24 hours. Because no internal photography is provided, these mechanical attributes are unverified by direct observation.

The vendor also reports that the case back is engraved 'NIVADA Antartic Antimagnetic Stainless Steel Automatic Waterproof Shockprotected' and decorated with a 'Nivada Antartic logo'. The dealer dates the piece to the 1960s; however, the case back is not visible in the provided imagery, leaving these inscriptions and dates subject to seller assertion.

Evidence for this section
  • “caliber ETA 2452 (base caliber for the Tudor 2484), 21 jewels, sweep second-hand, date indicator (set by changing 21-24h), 18,000 A/h, 42 hours power reserve, Swiss made.”
  • “Case Back Marks: NIVADA Antartic Antimagnetic Stainless Steel Automatic Waterproof Shockprotected”
  • “The case back is decorated and signed with the Nivada Antartic logo.”
  • “it is a vintage Nivada Aquadatic automatic wristwatch dated from the 1960s.”

Open research questions

  • What reference number and serial number are stamped on the interior or exterior of the case?
  • Does internal inspection confirm an authentic ETA 2452 caliber stamped with Nivada markings?
  • Why does the dial bear the model name 'AQUADATIC' while the seller reports the case back is signed with the 'Nivada Antartic' logo?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Nivada Aquadatic Automatic Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
SKUWA-0651“SKU: WA-0651”
CaliberETA 2452“caliber ETA 2452”
Jewel count21 jewels“21 jewels”
Case diameter34.8 mm“34.8mm round case”
StrapHand Finished Scandia Calf“black Hand Finished Scandia Calf two-piece strap”
Lug width19 mm“Lug Width 19”
Case diameter with crown36.8 mm“Case with Crown 36.8”
Case thickness10 mm“Case Thickness 10”
Lug-to-lug length42.9 mm“Case Lug to Lug 42.9”
Strap wrist capacityUp to 6 1/4 inches (15.9 cm)“fit a wrist up to 6 1/4” (15.9cm)”

Visible details

  • Champagne-toned dial exhibiting scattered speckling, patina, and light spotting.
  • Framed rectangular date aperture positioned at 3 o'clock displaying the numeral 31.
  • Stainless steel case and bezel showing visible light surface scratches and signs of wear.
  • Applied silver-tone hour markers with stylized elongated markers at 6, 9, and 12.
  • Dial signed 'Nivada / AQUADATIC' below 12 o'clock and 'AUTOMATIC / 21 JEWELS' above 6 o'clock, marked 'SWISS MADE' at the bottom edge.

Research qualifications

  • Case back inscriptions and movement caliber ETA 2452 are source-reported and not visible in the provided photograph.
  • Movement functionality and internal condition rely entirely on seller statements.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Shop NIVADA Aquadatic Automatic Watch - Second Hand Horology – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8df2c0d97b

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