Nivada-Grenchen Updates the F77 with a Redesigned Case
We have officially reached that point in the integrated bracelet sports watch trend where the late entrants are getting their second generation, “improved” models to market. Case in point, Nivada-Grenchen and their F77. The F77 launched in March of 2023, a time period that most would agree saw the hype around this genre of watch begin to cool in a significant way. That doesn’t take anything away from the F77 as a watch, of course. I’m rather fond of the size and geometry of this one, and it’s a genuine part of Nivada’s heritage. But in terms of its timing, it did debut at “peak” integrated bracelet sports watch mania. And so here we are, two years later, and Nivada has launched a Mark II version of the F77. We’re now at a point, I think, where integrated bracelet sports watches are just part of the landscape, and a required offering for any brand wishing to cast even a somewhat wide net. It makes sense, then, that Nivada would work to improve theirs.
From the looks of it, they’ve made some fairly substantial changes to the case that could have a real impact on how the F77 wears, and it certainly has an impact on the overall aesthetic of the watch. The case measures 12.2mm thick, which is not appreciably different from the previous version, but the lugs have been completely redesigned. The first F77 had lugs that were quite flat and, for an integrated bracelet sports watch, fairly long. The new F77 Mark II has lugs that are much more dramatically curved toward the wrist, which should be more ergonomic. Notably, the new F77 Mark II has a listed diameter of 38mm, which would make it about one millimeter larger than its predecessor, which consequently means the lug to lug on the new watch is also a bit longer. Based on the Nivada supplied images, though, the new F77 has a case construction that is different enough from the first version of the watch to render this an apples to oranges comparison. In other words, it’s tough to draw conclusions about how an F77 Mark II would wear based only on experience with the Mark I.
We expect that Nivada will eventually produce the F77 Mark II in a huge variety of variants just as they’ve done with the original. For now, they’ve shown us two, both with natural onyx stone dials, as well as a redesigned handset (dauphine hands have replaced the simple batons from the first F77). The F77 Mark II will be available in a standard steel execution with brushed and polished finishing, as well as a gold plated version. Both are mounted to integrated bracelets with a micro-adjustable clasp. The F77 Mark II is also available on both fabric and rubber integrated straps, and the lugs are drilled to make strap and bracelet changes easy.
The F77 Mark II is powered by a Soprod P024 automatic movement with 38 hours of power reserve. The case has 100 meters of water resistance, and the dial has lume applied at each hour, but does not appear to have luminescent hands.
As a fan of the original (reissued) F77, I’m looking forward to seeing how Nivada continues to iterate on a theme with the new Mark II version. While the brand got into the integrated bracelet game a little late, they were among the first, at least among affordable, enthusiast focused brands, to start playing with dial and case materials within the genre. It’s a good sign, I think, that the first Mark II out of the gate is a stone dial, and has me wondering how this watch might be a canvas for some creativity over the next few years.
The F77 Mark II is expected to be delivered in mid June. The retail price is $1,490 in steel, and $1,690 in gold. Nivada
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