Croton Depthmaster "Pacman"

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SKU AS02410
SKU AS02410

Why We Love it

In life there are certain unsolvable mysteries. Such as, who killed JFK? What happened to D.B. Cooper?

Who in heaven’s name made the case of this vintage watch?

While we admit this particular mystery might not be as all-consuming as some of the others we’ve mentioned, it certainly puzzles those of us with a horological bent.

This Japanese article on Watch-Monster.com alleges that it was the product of one Boa Company. However, a search for “Boa Company” reveals a company that manufactures athletic performance wear. That’s not precisely what we had in mind, Google, but thanks.

Whoever made them, these cases first hit the market in 1963 and were soon picked up by brands from Japan to Switzerland. Collectors have come to know them as “baby Panerais” due to their similarity to cases used by Panerai. One of the earliest was marketed by Sandoz, whose version was depth-rated to 1000 meters; even Jaeger-LeCoultre adopted the case for the Master Marine.

However, the most desirable variants are those manufactured by Nivada Grenchen, known as Croton (or Croton Nivada Grenchen) in the United States.

Although these variants lack the 1000m depth rating of those made by Sandoz, what they lack in that they more than make up for in style. We’ve seen some with sterile dials, or some with bold luminous Arabic numerals that hint at a military inspiration. However, neither of these come close to the funky and engaging style of the one we offer here.

Because of the Art Deco shape of the numerals at the poles—particularly at 6 and 9 o’clock—collectors have given it the nickname of “Pacman.”

Of all the so-called “Baby Panerais” out there, the Pacman is one of the rarest, with a cult following of its own.

The Pacman that we offer here shows signs of a life well-lived. The “baby Panerai” case has some signs of wear, particularly to the bezel. Although the Pacman dial shows some signs of age, the rich patina gives the unusually-shaped markers a distinguished look. 

A:S Guarantee

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Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

Shipping & Returns

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All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

Croton Depthmaster

Croton Depthmaster "Pacman"

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Croton Depthmaster

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