Based on Nivada’s classic 38mm (39mm at the bezel) x 46.5mm x 14mm Chronomaster case, the Worn & Wound Valjoux 72 limited edition features a deep teal aluminum bezel and a “racing-dial” layout from Nivada’s archives. The dial surface is a pale sand color with a “racing” seconds/minutes index printed on a ring of teal. Pale blue applied markers add contrast for the hours, as well as feature lume plots. Rather than solid sub-dials, the active seconds and 30-minute counter indexes are printed on teal rings, with sand centers. The 12-hour counter at the six position has no ring, matching the dial surface, opening up the dial, and allowing the bright sand surface to shine. More blues, yellows, and reds add contrast and texture.

Through the open case back the restored Valjoux 72 movement is on full display. A column wheel chronograph with a frequency of 18,000 bph, 17-jewels, and 48-hour power reserve, the Valjoux 72 features a lateral clutch, and a balanced three-register design featuring running seconds, elapsed minutes, and hours, as well as an asymmetric pusher layout (the start/stop pusher is closer to the crown than the reset).

An incredibly complex array of gears, plates, levers, screws, springs, and jewels, in its day, it was rarely seen by anyone except for watchmakers as display backs did not exist. For the purists, however, an additional solid case-back is included.

Limited to 15 pieces, the Nivada Grenchen x Worn & Wound Chronomaster Valjoux 72 includes a steel “beads of rice” bracelet, a burgundy suede rally strap, and a numbered letterpress print of the Valjoux 72 movement by Springs Gears.