There are projects you dream about for years without ever really believing they'll come to fruition. And then there are those that are born almost naturally, because all the pieces of the puzzle finally fall into place.
The Nivada Grenchen × Pause Super Antarctic Sable belongs to the second category.
To celebrate two years of our watch boutique in Toulouse, we wanted to create something unprecedented. A concept never before seen in Toulouse, in line with all the new watchmaking ideas we want to bring to this city. We wanted to envision a project that tells our story, our approach to watchmaking, and the relationship we've built with a brand we've admired since we opened: Nivada Grenchen.
The result is a limited edition watch, only 50 pieces, developed in collaboration with Nivada Grenchen, based on one of its most emblematic models: the Super Antarctic.
But before being a watch, this collaboration is first and foremost a story.
Two years of Pause, two years of encounters
When we opened PAUSE Montres, our ambition was simple: to bring to Toulouse brands that we, as enthusiasts, would have loved to discover ourselves.
We didn't come from the traditional watchmaking world. Above all, we wanted to create a place where people could try on watches freely, chat over coffee, compare different models, and take their time, take a pause.
Over the months, the boutique grew thanks to you, your trust, and the many encounters that punctuated this adventure.
For our second anniversary, we wanted to make a statement. Not with a fleeting event, but with a project that would last. And what transcends eras and trends without ever stopping? A watch.
Why choose Nivada Grenchen?
The choice of Nivada Grenchen came almost naturally.
The brand has been part of our selection since PAUSE opened and holds a special place in our boutique.
What we like about Nivada Grenchen is its ability to revive its heritage without falling into nostalgia. Historical models find a second life, but they are still designed to be worn today.
The Chronomaster, the Depthmaster, the F77, and the Antarctic all have a very strong identity, standing the test of time while remaining accessible to enthusiasts.
This philosophy is ultimately very close to what we were looking for to celebrate the boutique. We love watches that tell a story. Watches that have personality and are made to last.
Creating this collaboration with Nivada Grenchen therefore made a lot of sense. Especially since the brand is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, a pleasant coincidence.
Why the Super Antarctic?
When we started thinking about this limited edition, several models were contenders.
However, very quickly, one name kept coming up: Super Antarctic.
The Super Antarctic is undoubtedly one of the most versatile watches in the Nivada Grenchen catalog. And it's also one of the most accessible, to allow as many people as possible to own this watch. It's the boutique's two-year anniversary, so it's the two-year anniversary for everyone who has supported us all this time.
The decision to select the Super Antarctic 3.6.9 stemmed from our desire to emphasize readability.
This watch has balanced proportions, a timeless aesthetic, and the ability to complement both formal attire and everyday wear. It's also a watch that evokes exploration, wide-open spaces, and adventure.
All elements that would become essential in the rest of the project.
From the Antarctic... to the desert
The starting point of this collaboration boils down to a very simple question.
How to reinterpret a watch called Antarctic without betraying its identity?
We quickly realized that the answer wasn't in the cold, but in its opposite.
If the Antarctic evokes icy landscapes, white expanses, and polar expeditions, we imagined its absolute contrast: the desert.
Sand, heat, mineral nuances, arid landscapes. It was this opposition that gave birth to the Super Antarctic Sable.
Rather than copying the polar universe, we chose to respond to it. A way to tell a new story while remaining faithful to the collection's history. An opportunity, too, to offer a field watch with a color scheme rarely seen in the current watch market.
Every detail has been thought out
A collaboration isn't just about changing the color of a dial.
We wanted every element to contribute to the identity of this limited edition.
The dial features a grained finish, reminiscent of sand, with a hue that changes with the light. Sometimes light beige, sometimes slightly golden, it recalls the mineral reliefs of vast deserts.
The hands and indices lose their steel color for a matte black treatment, chosen to maintain all the legibility that makes the Super Antarctic successful, while adhering to the design of this new version.
The strap has been specially developed to reproduce the sand color and bring overall harmony to the watch.
And each case back is engraved with "NIVADA GRENCHEN x PAUSE TOULOUSE", with the number /50, to make each watch unique.
An balance that is ultimately much harder to achieve than it seems.
A collaboration that reflects us
With this Super Antarctic Sable, we didn't aim to create the most spectacular watch. Instead, we preferred to imagine a coherent watch that would meet needs that few watches on the market fulfill. A watch that could naturally have found its place in the Nivada Grenchen catalog. A watch that tells a story.
This approach ultimately sums up quite well how we've worked since PAUSE opened.
We prioritize long-term projects, brands with which we share a common vision, and products that possess a true identity.
This collaboration is a consequence of this philosophy.
Nivada Grenchen, a manufacture that continues to charm enthusiasts
Beyond this limited edition, we are convinced that Nivada Grenchen is today one of the most interesting houses in the watchmaking landscape.
The brand intelligently revisits its historical models without succumbing to passing trends.
The Chronomaster remains a benchmark among neo-vintage chronographs.
The F77 brought the integrated sports watch back into fashion, with finesse and character.
The Depthmaster continues to appeal to diving watch enthusiasts, especially with its 1000m water resistance for less than €1100.
And the Antarctic collection, from which our Super Antarctic Sable is born, perfectly embodies this ability to offer elegant, versatile, and durable watches.
It is precisely for this reason that we are proud to be an official Nivada Grenchen retailer.
Discover the Nivada Grenchen × PAUSE at our Toulouse boutique
A collaborative watch is never fully appreciated behind a screen.
The nuances of the dial, the play of light, the proportions of the case, and the comfort on the wrist take on a whole new dimension once the watch is tried on.
If you are passing through Toulouse, we will be delighted to welcome you to our boutique to present this limited edition, as well as the entire Nivada Grenchen collection.
And if you are further away, our team remains, of course, available to assist you directly via our online boutique, answer your questions, or help you choose your watch's number, if still available.
Purchase the Nivada Grenchen x Pause Super Antarctic Sable
FAQ - Nivada Grenchen × Pause
Is the Nivada Grenchen × PAUSE Super Antarctic Sable an official collaboration?
This is a limited edition jointly conceived by Nivada Grenchen and PAUSE Montres based on the Super Antarctic 3-6-9, created to celebrate our boutique's second anniversary. It is an official collaboration, with a 2-year warranty.
When will the watch be delivered?
Pre-orders are already open, and the first deliveries will begin at the end of September. Most Super Antarctic Sable watches will therefore be delivered in early October.
How many pieces are produced?
The Super Antarctic Sable is strictly limited to only 50 numbered pieces.
Can we choose our number?
Yes. As long as certain numbers remain available, we offer our customers the option to select the one they prefer. Contact us by email to reserve your number.
Where can I discover the Nivada Grenchen × PAUSE?
You can discover the Super Antarctic Sable in our PAUSE Montres boutique in Toulouse or directly on our online store.