About the NIVREL production in general
NIVREL as a brand has found friends all around the world. It is quite remarkable that Gerd Hofer GmbH – the company behind the brand name – is a relatively small, family-run business. In order to realize our production approach this fact is essential. Because only within our traditional and original structures we are able to realize a quality standard that meets our high expectations. In order to do so, we have been cooperating with the same suppliers for many years when it comes to producing the different necessary components. Those supplier companies all belong to the top specialists of the German watch industry. At the NIVREL production site, we concentrate on the construction of the final watch, die fine finishing and functional enhancement of single parts, the part assembly, the assembly of and the quality assurance and service for the end product.
Movements
NIVREL offers quartz movements or mechanical movements with automatic or manual winding. For those seeking absolute accuracy combined with minimum maintenance, our watches with electronic, quartz driven movements would be best. These watches will only have to have batteries replaced and be adjusted for Daylight Savings time. Our fine quartz watches are found within our Edition Design collection.
For the lover of the classical art of watchmaking, a mechanical watch is the better option. Accuracy to the single second is not what is important; instead it is the fascinating interaction of countless cogs, arms, and springs.
All of the mechanical movements used by NIVREL are or were produced in Switzerland. A majority of the movements are then refined; some receiving special engravings, blued screws, polished steel screws, and other detailing.
NIVREL’s horological complications include Full Calendar with Moon Phase, 5 Minute Repeater, Automatic Alarm, and different Chronograph variations. Our collection also includes one of the slimmest automatic movements with a sweep second hand and date function. In the end, the movements are engraved with our logo, representing our high quality mark.
Cases
The movement of a NIVREL watch is assembled into a custom-made case. The design of such a watch case finds it’s root in Saarbrucken. The technical realization and production of the case corpus as well as the many concerted single parts, e.g. pushers, crowns, gaskets and springs is carried out by the best case manufacturers in Germany. The stainless steel models are produced in an alloy called ‘316L’. This alloy is especially imperishable in terms of a possible corrision. NIVREL gold cases are made of solid 18 ct. yellow, rose or white gold. Some watches are available in 14 ct. gold as well. Another important component of our cases is sapphire crystal. Because of its density it is almost impossible to scratch this type of crystal. The surfaces of the crystals receive a complex, addition anti-reflection coating on the front and backside of the case.
Dials
The design of our dials is also carried out in Saarbrucken. First and foremost the recognition value of our four collections is our priority. As for the production, we rely on our German suppliers who realize our ideas in true manufactory work. Especially trained employees build dials of extraordinary quality in precise manual work and with the support of the latest CNC techniques. No matter if it is Clous-de-Paris guilloche for the Edition Héritage or shining enamel varnish for the Edition Horaire – the perfect balance of material and technique is essential in order to realize a NIVREL dial.
Straps
Leather Straps
High quality leather is mellow, warm and somehow cuddly. This applies also for our leather straps. We exclusively use manufactory-produced top products made of precious materials. Many of the watches are equipped with leather straps made of real Louisiana alligator leather. They are produced by strictly meeting the International Convention on Biodiversity and carry the CITES certificate. Our leather straps are available with buckles or with a deployment clasp that will prevent the watch from falling when getting it on or off.
Metal Bracelets
Many of our models are available with an additional metal bracelet for a small surcharge. Bracelets are available in stainless steel 316L, bi-coloured stainless steel/gold as well as solid gold – always depending on the watch model.
Jewelry watches: Our interpretation of inhouse manufacturing
The watches of the Edition Pièce Unique are what we at NIVREL consider to be our manufactory work. This Pièce Unique line contains watches that combine most complicated mechanical features with the sophisticated handcrafts carried out in our family-owned goldsmith workshop. The resulting watches are timepieces and jewelry at once. And all of those watches are only meant to be design suggestions. Everything is possible when it comes to customization requests of our customers.
Quality Assurance
Already during production the results of the different working steps are always checked with a critical eye. After final assembly, every watch has to pass multiple tests prior to release. The surfaces of all parts, e.g. of cases, dials, crystals, crowns, pushers and the movements are checked for scratches and blemishes. Afterwards water-resistancy tests and the final inspection of all functions are carried out.
