Restoration of a Nivrel with Lemania 8810

In recent years, our workshop has established itself as a benchmark in Greece for the repair and maintenance of German watches and more. As an official service center for many major German watch brands, and thanks to our in-depth expertise in high-end mechanisms, we now accept watches that are out of the ordinary — watches with a special history, rare mechanisms, and real collector's value.

One such watch is the Nivrel Automatic you see here, equipped with the exceptional Lemania 8810. This is a case that combines three elements that are difficult to find together today:
✔ a lesser-known but serious historical company,
✔ a high-quality mechanism from the "golden age" of Swiss watchmaking,
✔ and a construction designed to last for decades — provided it is properly maintained.

A few words about Nivrel

Nivrel has its roots in Swiss watchmaking dating back to 1936. For many years, the name was associated with high-quality mechanical watches, until—like so many other historic brands—it was severely affected by the quartz crisis.

Nivrel's rebirth came later, this time with a German base, but always maintaining a clear orientation:

To offer classic, mechanical watches with an emphasis on quality craftsmanship rather than mass production.

That is why even in its older models, one will find very sophisticated mechanisms, not just standard solutions. This particular watch embodies that philosophy.

The clock before restoration

As you can see in the photos, the watch arrived at our workshop in decent but worn condition:

• The case and bracelet showed clear signs of decades of use.

• The sealants had completely lost their properties.

• The engine was running, but there were clear signs that it needed a full service: old lubricants, reduced oscillation width, and uneven timing behavior.

In such cases, we never talk about "simple service." We talk about complete disassembly, inspection, cleaning, and restoration to factory specifications.

The heart of the watch: Lemania 8810

The Lemania 8810 is a movement that deserves special mention.

This is a high-quality automatic movement with date, designed at a time when Lemania was producing truly top-of-the-range movements.

Its Features:

• High-quality construction and finish

• Stable and reliable architecture

• Very good basis for precise adjustment

• Durability over time, provided it is properly maintained

It is no coincidence that mechanisms from the Lemania family were also used by big names in Swiss watchmaking. These are machines that were designed not with cost in mind, but with quality and longevity.

Today, of course, this means something else:
👉 Spare parts are not easy to come by, and servicing requires knowledge, experience, and very careful handling.

The rehabilitation process

In our workshop, the watch underwent the entire process:

• Complete engine disassembly

• Cleaning of all parts in a professional machine

• Inspection of axles, bearings, gears, and automatic winding system

• Proper lubrication with the appropriate lubricants at every point

• Reassembly and precise adjustment in multiple positions

At the same time:

• The frame and bracelet were cleaned and refreshed with respect for their geometry, without exaggeration.

• The seals were replaced.

• A final check of operation and stability was performed.

The result is a watch that not only looks better—it performs as a mechanism of this caliber should.

Why such watches have special value

A Nivrel with Lemania 8810 is not just a "brand-name display watch." It is something better:

• It is a watch for connoisseurs.

• It is a watch from a time when the quality of the movement was more important than marketing.

• And it is precisely the kind of watch that deserves to be maintained properly and not carelessly.

Epilogue

Such projects perfectly reflect the philosophy of our workshop:

Respect for the watch, respect for the movement, respect for watchmaking.

Whether it's modern German watches or older pieces with remarkable mechanisms, our goal is always the same: to deliver watches that can continue to function properly for many decades to come.