“The wrist-size computers are here from CROTON.”

So ran an ad introducing a watch of many names and purposes, known variously as the Chronograph Aviator Sea Diver and, later, the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver.

This watch, the ad went on to say, could do… well, just about everything.

It could: “compute distances, soundings, arrival times, pulse and respiratory rates. [It could] figure mph over a known course, alert skin-divers to surfacing time, alert you to important appointments and conferences, wake you up, warn of departure times. And they do it underwater, high in the air, at extreme temperatures, at speeds of 500 mph—even in total darkness.”

And, after all that, will make you a mean Mojito.

All jokes aside, the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver was one of many sporting chronographs released throughout the 1960s. While some were meant for use in specific sports—like the Heuer Autavia or Camaro for motorsports—Croton meant for its chronograph to be versatile and robust to be used anywhere, in any environment, and for any purpose. And for Croton—alias Nivada in Europe, and Croton, or Croton Nevada Grenchen in the States—it was just the first of many.

The watch that we offer here is a Croton Skymaster, which followed hot on the heels of the Aviator Sea Diver.

Like its predecessor, the Skymaster, despite its leading name, could be used by drivers, divers, and doctors. It featured a case and bezel combination that was unique among Croton’s chronograph offerings, but was also used by BWC and Bucherer. With long, tapering lugs, the case was a compact but still hefty 38mm.

Unlike many watches of the sort, the rotating bezel—a common feature on diving-inspired chronographs—is flush with the case rather than merely placed on top of it, resulting a slimmer profile.

And the dial has the white-on-black “reverse panda” color way that is so popular nowadays.

Inside beats the redoubtable Valjoux 72 chronograph movement, beloved of many manufacturers throughout the industry.

Combining killer looks with a robust movement, this little chronograph will surely “master” any task you put to it!