Many people love the excellent Mechakolts chronograph. The brand can spend more money on the appearance of such a watch, thanks to the affordable movement. These watches often outweigh their weight, at least visually. Others say they are a cheap interpretation of the real deal, a watch with mechanical movement. I received the new Nivada Chrono Sports Blue (automatic) and the Chronosport Mecaquartz salmon at the same time, and the latter felt just as good as the former. Well, a few days after publishing my review for Chronosport Blue, here are my thoughts on the Chronosport Mecaquartz Salmon:
Before we get into it, we need to know that the salmon version depicted here is sadly no longer available. It was only sold during pre-order periods, but due to unfortunate misunderstanding, this article was not available in a more timely manner. We are that apologies and hope that, if nothing else, this article will serve as a useful review of Chronosport Mecaquartz in general. It should also be noted that I am not trying to directly compare the Mecaquartz version with the mechanical Chronosport model. Aside from their appearance, we’re talking about very different watches. Still, we can’t talk about the Chronosport Mecaquartz Salmon as Chronosport Blue came out at the same time.
Nibada Chrono Sports
The first modern Nivada Chrono Sports I reviewed a while ago comes in two versions. Available in modern white rooms. Alternatively, you can opt for a yellow room for a more vintage feel. My review watch had the latter. Shortly afterwards, Nivada released the Chronosport Mecha Colts, serving audiences with a low budget but equal thirst for vintage-inspired chronographs. Mecaquartz takes inspiration from the regular Chronosport, but it has a 12-9-6 subdial layout rather than two subdials. The mechanical automatic version starts at just 550 euros (and more). Both examples direct the lineage to the original Chronosport from the late 1970s. Recently, Nivada expanded its line with a new blue-dial version of the mechanical Chronosport and the limited edition Mecaquartz salmon model that appears here.
Chronosport Mecaquartz Salmon
To the naked eye, the Nibada Chrono Sports Mecha Colts Salmon looks familiar. This is because the first Chronosport Mecaquartz comes with a black dial and a Taupe subdial. The salmon model looks the same except for the subdials of different colours. As the brand states, “The matte black texture dial is decorated with Art Decon-inspired subdials in thalmon tones, adding depth and unique vintage charm.”
Certainly, the salmon and black pair is an old trick in the watch industry that works like a sub-dial singer-style minute scale. You can even allow Nivada to have a 12-9-6 subdial layout, but this isn’t stylish (I’m sure it’s been ridiculous to this point). At 3am, Nivada added a date opening to offset the salmon submarine. The only downside is that the bezel rotates while adjusting the dates on the quick set, but I can live with it.
On the wrist
The most important thing to remember when wearing the Nivada Chronosport Mecaquartz is a watch worth 770 euros with a bracelet. If this is a game, I would call it a cheat code. This move will result in a much lower price than the automatic version. As a result, it is not Switzerland, made like his older brother. Yes, the dial layout is similar, but not identical. Looking at the two dimensions of the watch, it is the same as the mechanical version with a diameter of 38mm and a lug-to-lug of 44.8mm. However, due to its thin movement, this model has a 13.3mm profile containing crystals, equaling a 2.4mm reduction from its mechanical counterpart. 143 grams weighs only 20 grams. It has the essence of vintage/modern mechanical chrono sports. Some might say that there is even better run, looks, weight distribution and back balance.
Ease of use
The advantages of the three subdials are clear. At the 6 o’clock position, you will find the second running with that unmistakable quartz clicking, followed by a 12-hour counter on the 9 o’clock chronograph. There is a 60-minute counter at 12:00. Overall, it is a clear and easy to read clock face with yellow faux patina rooms on the hands and indexes and a small but easy to read date opening.
However, like Chronosport Blue, you cannot use a tapimeter scale printed on the edge of the dial. Reading is small and impossible, and double sapphire crystals distort the view. Additionally, the aluminum bidirectional 60 minutes/12 hours bezel is very loose, so it moves every time you touch the clock. Then again, I received the early prototype, so perhaps it has been improved since. Thankfully, there is a mechanical action of a start/stop and reset pusher, and the watch doesn’t feel like a cheap copy, and it’s a consistent watch.
Internal movement
Spend some time on the caliber. The interior of the Nivada Chronosport Mecaquartz checks Seiko’s VK67 Mecaquartz movement. One of the Mecaquartz Watches’ go-to calibers, the VK67 offers mechanical chronograph modules for main functions and tuning fork style Quartz technology. This is a simple yet efficient movement that allows the brand to keep prices low and spend money on features like a 316L case, a bracelet with fine-tuning buttons and push buttons, and 200m water resistance. The VK67 also offers approximately 20 seconds of accuracy per month. With the Chronosport Mecaquartz you can get all of this for less than 800 euros on a bracelet or under 600 euros on a strap.
Close the word
Speaking of bracelets, the Chronosport Mecaquartz has the same automatic model. The new clasp has two push buttons and a built-in micro-adjustment mechanism to secure it. This allows for +13mm bracelet expansion if necessary. If you ask me, the quick release spring bar should be the standard for leather straps. Similarly, the micro-adjustable piece must be the standard for steel bracelets. I’m looking at you, Grand Seiko.
If you choose a bracelet you will be spending 770 euros/700 USD. If you choose a leather strap or a rubber tropical style strap instead, the price will drop to 550 euros/500 euros. However, we recommend using a bracelet. It’s more expensive, but you can always remove it and use the 20mm strap you want. However, if you never decide to move the watch, the presence of the original bracelet is a big plus. It’s my 2 cents.
Overall, don’t look at the Mecaquartz Nivada Chronosport as a cheap and inferior version of his brother. Rather, the watch holds its own. I support the first statement and feel it is as good as the mechanical version, but the only major difference is the type of exercise and the price. We hope we’ve made an early announcement about the salmon version that is currently unavailable, but the usual Chronosport Mecaquartz still offers excellent value for the money spent.
