1950’s RARE NIVADA CIOCCOLATONE CLAM SHELL WATER PROOF ALL STAINLESS STEEL BUMPER AUTOMATIC

Description

1950’s RARE NIVADA CIOCCOLATONE CLAM SHELL WATER PROOF ALL STAINLESS STEEL BUMPER AUTOMATIC

Vintage 1950’s rare Nivada ‘Cioccolatone’ clam-shell water-proof all stainless-steel ‘bumper’ automatic.

This beautiful art-deco inspired watch was manufactured during the early 1950’s by the Swiss maker ’Nivada’ and is typical of the elaborate case designs from that period. It is a rare watch and we have never come across one before.

The large all-stainless steel ‘Cioccolatone’ case has scalloped, down turned lugs, is slightly curved to the shape of the wrist and is fully water-proof. This is a large watch, measuring 29mm across, not including the crown and 41mm tip-to-tip.

The case is of the ‘clam-shell design, with the glass and its gasket sandwiched between the top and bottom parts, then secured with four screws. Very ingenious and very difficult to manufacture in a rectangular case. I have seen similar ones in the past, but never an automatic and never in this large size.

The silvering of the dial has darkened slightly over time and has now become a beautiful ochre colour, which has become very popular with collectors. Other than that, the dial is in perfect original condition, with contrasting Arabic figures, dagger divisions and sword hands.

The watch in fact in 100% original condition throughout. it has never been polished and still retails the brushed finish with polished bezel, original crown etc.

I am assuming that the bumper movement is very similar to the omega bumper of the same era, though we have not tried to open the case as we do not want to spoil the originality of the watch. It can also be hand-wound as well, the same as the omega bumpers.

We have fitted a new alligator-grain strap. This watch looks absolutely stunning on the wrist and the photo’s do not do it justice i am afraid. A very, very stylish watch and a true rarity.