A Classic With A Secret

Nivada Grenchen often blends heritage with irreverence, but its latest release surprises even more. Based on the Antarctic platform, the new Antarctic Erotic 38mm updates a familiar design with something completely different, hidden from plain sight.

At first glance, it’s a classic, everyday watch. Underneath, though, a playful, subversive detail is revealed only to the wearer.

Antarctic with a twist

Antarctic Erotic: new dials, familiar charm

Beyond the case back, Nivada Grenchen introduces a wide range of new dials for this model. Choices range from understated tones to expressive options: soft beige and salmon, or classic black, brown, and blue. There’s also a tuxedo dial with a sector-style layout, nodding to vintage style. All watches stress legibility and balance, with applied numerals and indexes, clean minute tracks, and subtle branding, ensuring daily wear. The playful concept hides behind a serious dial, creating a watch that’s conservative on the wrist but reveals hidden personality when removed.

Reveal the secret

The watch uses a modified hand-wound Soprod P054 movement. Though simple on paper, it is re-engineered for the Antarctic Erotic’s animated case back: a penguin pair is set in motion by winding the watch. Rotating the crown drives a custom cam, animating the miniature scene. An independent watchmaker, codenamed “Dr. Coldwater,” developed the mechanism, adding intrigue. The animation appears only through the transparent case back, keeping it private. The 38mm stainless steel case alternates brushed and polished finishes, combining vintage feel with modern proportions, including a 12.45mm thickness and 45mm lug-to-lug span.

Price and availability

The Antarctic Erotic will be sold via time-limited pre-order, opening April 30th at 16:00 CEST. Dial variants have different windows, lasting 69 minutes to several days, after which orders close. Pricing starts at €1,600 for versions on leather straps, rising to €1,805 for those equipped with steel bracelets. Buyers can choose from classic leather straps (in black or brown), a black tropical-rubber strap, or various steel bracelets, including beads-of-rice and flat-link designs. This configurability tailors the watch style from sporty to refined.

What’s left to say?

The concept may seem playful, but it has a serious side. Part of the proceeds will support penguin conservation in Antarctica, with Nivada partnering with Oceanites to protect a colony of 21,000 penguins. This link to history gives the project purpose beyond novelty. Erotic timepieces are rare now, but in the past, brands like Blancpain, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Ulysse Nardin offered them. We expect a review unit soon and will share hands-on impressions, as this is a watch that reveals its charm only in use.