A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
Back in the late 1960's, an enterprising young Frenchman named Erwin Christian opened up an aquatics center on Bora Bora. He quickly became renowned for his photography above and below the surface of the island, and also for his strong efforts to protect the ocean there. Around the same time, the owner of Nivada Watches, Max Schneider (grandson of the company's founder) spent time at Bora Bora and wanted to help the environment. He decided to bring out a new dive watch - the Taravana, named after something related to native pearl divers - and contribute some of the proceeds of the sales. The first watches were automatics, and debuted in 1970. Schneider also made a limited edition with 'Erwin Christian" and "Bora Bora" on the watch. Later on, the quartz revolution forced him to include a quartz version of the watch, and they also had some made with the Bora Bora name. Despite that, it seems pretty cool to me that the owner actually was a diver and appreciated the function of a dive watch.
These were built on a case that is very similar to the Eterna/ScubaPro 500 cases,40mm diameter with 20mm lugs and 45mm lug to lug, using a different bezel. They're rated at 300M WR, have a unidirectional 60 click bezel, thick flat sapphire crystal, and featured an orange lollypop sweep. I think its fair to say that these are rarer than hen's teeth!
Here is what they look like:
PS - Someone decided "Nivada" sounded too much like "Movado", and forced the company to market as Nivada Grenchen, or sometimes Croton.
These were built on a case that is very similar to the Eterna/ScubaPro 500 cases,40mm diameter with 20mm lugs and 45mm lug to lug, using a different bezel. They're rated at 300M WR, have a unidirectional 60 click bezel, thick flat sapphire crystal, and featured an orange lollypop sweep. I think its fair to say that these are rarer than hen's teeth!
Here is what they look like:
PS - Someone decided "Nivada" sounded too much like "Movado", and forced the company to market as Nivada Grenchen, or sometimes Croton.
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www.usmcscoutsniper.org - Life Member
“Qualified to deport with denizens of the deep, mermaids, and other inhabitants of the realm of Neptune.”
“Qualified to deport with denizens of the deep, mermaids, and other inhabitants of the realm of Neptune.”
Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
Great watch history and cool watch.
"We'd better synchronize our watches."
Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
good stuff seth!
is the pictured example yours? or owned by someone you know?
cheers!
is the pictured example yours? or owned by someone you know?
cheers!
Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
Any idea how many were produced or sold?
VR/
Paul
SI VI PACEM, PARA BELLUM
Paul
SI VI PACEM, PARA BELLUM
Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
Nice, I guess it's a 70's Micro...
I mean I did not think of it before but I did see quite a few brands that were made several years ago and not anymore, maybe they were made in France, Italy, Germany or whatever, just not Chinese... but still small factories or small batches.
I mean I did not think of it before but I did see quite a few brands that were made several years ago and not anymore, maybe they were made in France, Italy, Germany or whatever, just not Chinese... but still small factories or small batches.
Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
Yes, I recently acquired it unexpectedly. Erwin is still on Bora Bora (age 85) and was the source for most of the info.
www.usmcscoutsniper.org - Life Member
“Qualified to deport with denizens of the deep, mermaids, and other inhabitants of the realm of Neptune.”
“Qualified to deport with denizens of the deep, mermaids, and other inhabitants of the realm of Neptune.”
Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
Saw that for sale. Would have snagged it if able to. Super cool!
"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things." - George Carlin
Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
Erwin didn't say, but the impression I got was that it was a limited edition version of the newly released Taravana diver. Essentially the same as the regular one, but with his name and Bora Bora on it. The case bears a strong resemblance to the ScubaPro500 in person, but its still a mystery who made those watches.
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Last edited by namor on Tue Oct 06, 2020 10:06 am, edited 2 times in total.
www.usmcscoutsniper.org - Life Member
“Qualified to deport with denizens of the deep, mermaids, and other inhabitants of the realm of Neptune.”
“Qualified to deport with denizens of the deep, mermaids, and other inhabitants of the realm of Neptune.”
- mattcantwin
- mattcreatestonsofwatchrelateddrama
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Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
Cool watch, great back-story; win-win.
Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
You're right - strong case resemblance...
"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things." - George Carlin
Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
nice! thanks for sharing
- toxicavenger
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Re: A Small Story of a Practically Unknown Dive Watch From 1970s.
dope ass watch! I like it
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